Toulouse Olympique 28 Featherstone Rovers 34: Powell relieved to see off Toulouse's threat

For the second time in as many weeks the two big sets of forwards locked horns in a battle which spoke volumes for the fitness, discipline and professionalism of both sides.

Coach Darryl Powell said: "The Frenchmen have proved to be our most difficult opponents this year."

He said the loss at Post Office Road may have been the wake-up call needed by his charges.

Featherstone took advantage of a 10-minute spell in the sin bin for Toulouse's Rory Bromley to turn a 10-6 deficit into an 18-10 half-time lead. Andy Kain grabbed a brace off the bench including the try of the game; a length-of-the-field run from the kick-off to nudge Rovers ahead for the first time.

The big men were toiling in the afternoon sun with Dickens, Grayshon and in particular Morrison outstanding.

However, it was the dancing feet of Tommy Saxton that proved the difference between the two sides giving the Toulouse defence nightmares every time he had the ball, and grabbing a well-deserved try.

Scores went tit-for-tat until Matty Dale plunged over for the score that broke the French resolve and sent the noisy Featherstone fans into the Toulouse evening for celebrations.

Toulouse: Bromley, Bienes, Planas, Villegas, Varela Mendes, Houles, N. Wynn, Worth, Mitchell, Griffi, T. Wynn, Maria, Anselme. Substitutes: Tisseyre, Mencarini, Faure, Larroyer. Featherstone: Hardman, Saxton, Welham, Coady, Steel, Briggs, Kaye, Tonks, Finn, Dickens, Morrison, Grayshon, Dale. Substitutes: Spears, A. Kain, Field, Divorty.

Referee: M Thomason (RFL).