Sheffield Eagles 16 Featherstone Rovers 40: Bramall Lane return ends in defeat for Sheffield against Featherstone

The Eagles' first game at the home of Sheffield United attracted a crowd of 2,871 – but it was Rovers who spoilt the party by taking home the points.

"Sheffield is always a difficult place to get a win," said Rovers coach Daryl Powell. "But I think we can still improve, we were a little bit scrappy at times."

Full-back Ian Hardman and half-back Kyle Briggs put in big individual performances as Rovers extended their run to six straight wins in the Championship.

Rovers were too smart at moving the ball out of the tackle and put in some sweeping passing moves.

Eagles came close to scoring an early try but Rovers soaked up the pressure before centre Jesse Joe Parker finished off a Michael Coady touchline break to score his 11th try of the season.

The Eagles came back with an unconverted try from full-back Misis Taulapapa but forward Jon Grayshon's try edged Rovers further ahead. It was the only goal Briggs was to miss out of seven.

Tries either side of half-time – one a penalty try – settled the game for Rovers. Substitute Andy Kain scored a try under the posts just before the break and six minutes into the second half Rovers were awarded a penalty try after the ball was ripped out as Kain tried to touchdown. Briggs added both goals.

Centre Liam Welham increased the lead with hooker Craig Cook pulling a try back for the Eagles.

Dane Manning put Rovers further ahead with a try and in the final minute Rovers brought up 40 points with an Iain Morrison touchdown followed by Briggs kicking his sixth goal.

In between half-back Dane McDonald went in for an unconverted consolation try for home team.

Sheffield Eagles: Taulapapa, Thackeray Ropati, Yere, Barnett; Lindsay, McDonald; Howieson, Cook, Stringer; Szostak, Exton, Hirst. Substitutes: Mossop, Green, Corcoran, Barlow.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Coady, Parker, Welham, Saxton; Briggs, Finn; Dickens, Lee, Tonks, Grayshon, Morrison, Dale. Substitutes: Kain, Divorty, Manning, Spears.

Referee: Jamie Leahy (RFL).