Second-half showing sees Rovers through

The visitors had the majority of the possession in what proved to be a tight first period, but Crusaders’ resolute defence ensured the sides went in to the break level at 6-6.

However, Fev’s quality in the second half shone through as they punished Crusaders for their errors and ill-discipline.

Rovers head coach John Bastian said afterwards: “I wasn’t very happy with the first half really.

“But we did well in the second half and we were able to stick to the game plan.”

Will Sharp opened the scoring for Rovers when, after an overlap formed on the right-hand side, Ben Hellwell was able to flick the ball out to the winger to dive in at the corner.

Crusaders responded with a try through Tom Gilmore, supporting a break inside from Michael Platt, and that was how it stayed for the rest of the half.

Featherstone acted on their half-time team talk from a disappointed Bastian and took the lead within four minutes of the restart with a try through Kyle Briggs which proved to be the turning point in the game.

They improved their lead soon after through a second try from Sharp – a near-replica of his first effort earlier on in the game.

Rovers then went in for two tries in quick succession. First, Gareth Moore collected a flick pass from Tim Spears to dive over and then Flanagan bulldozed his way over the line from close range.

Sharp capped off a solid win for Rovers as he turned and touched down in the corner for his hat-trick try.

North Wales Crusaders: Johnson, Clay, Platt, Hulme, Birkett, Dallimore, Gilmore, Mills, C. Ashall, J. Walker, O. Brown, Wild, Adamson.Substitutes: K. Ashall, Clarke, Stephens, Smith.

Featherstone Rovers: Mendeika, Uaisele, Worthington, Hellewell, Sharp, Briggs, Moore, Crossley, Flanagan, Hirst, Lockwood, Spears, Cording. Substitutes: Bussey, Dale, Bostock, Roche.

Referee: W Turley (RFL)