(VIDEO): Doncaster 6 Featherstone 13: Doncaster denied as Ryan pays dividend for Rovers

Ironically, Doncaster fielded fully five players on the same basis from Hull FC yesterday, including Australian half-back Jordan Rankin and former Wigan prop Iafeta Paleaaesina

However, it was the vistors’ sole such representative which came to the fore in this hard-fought Yorkshire derby, played out in driving wind and rain, to see them emerge as early joint leaders of the Championship.

Australian second-row Ryan angled over in the 71st minute to break the deadlock after Jy Hitchcock’s teasing run across the Doncaster line finally created a hole during a tense game where defences had largely been on top.

It was maddening for the hosts; with the score level at 6-6, Rankin had blown a rare clear-cut opportunity just moments earlier, spilling Paul Cooke’s pass after the Doncaster player-coach – their most potent threat – had made a second break in quick succession.

With chances so infrequent, it was always likely to be a costly mistake and Featherstone head coach Andy Hay was quick to point out how difficult conditions had been.

“It was a really tough game,” he said, as the West Yorkshire club backed up an opening win against Hunslet Hawks.

“It was hard out there and we’re pleased to get a win as some teams will struggle here this season.

“We clearly still need to do a bit with our ball control so it gives us a bit less defending to do but I thought our middle was outstanding.

“Andy Bostock and Matt James did really well off the bench.

“Bostock especially was really good. We missed him at full fitness last year but he’s got good footwork and an offload in him and can cause opposition real trouble in the middle.

“Matty carried really strongly, too, and for us to just concede one try from a kick is pleasing.

“Matt Ryan did a good job for us. He looked a little out of shape as he’s only played a couple of trial games with Wakefield.

“I didn’t really want to use the dual-reg as early as this but it’s something we probably had to with our overseas players not arriving and the injuries we’ve got.

“I won’t just do it for the sake of it, though, and now we move on to Bradford Bulls next week which we know will be another big challenge again.”

The hosts had taken an eighth minute lead via ex-Wakefield centre Danny Cowling but there was then no further scoring from either side until four minutes into the second half with defences firmly on top.

Cowling had latched onto Cooke’s neat grubber and benefited from Ben Blackmore’s hesitation behind his own line.

Both the kicking of Cooke and, in particular, Rankin ensured Doncaster dominated in terms of field position during the first half when they were aided by that strong wind in their favour.

However, there was very little reward and, with conditions so tricky, neither was there much football played either.

When Featherstone did force a rare error, Doncaster winger Sam Doherty spilling as he came out of his own 30m, they immediately erred themselves, former Huddersfield Giant Jamie Cording fumbling as he played the ball.

But Bostock brought some ballast, punching through with his first carry, only to pass inside to a Doncaster man to increase the frustration.

Indeed, the visitors did not get a single attacking play in their opponents’ territory until the half-hour mark and that, typically, resulted in nothing.

However, they did remain resolute defensively and so, were able to level when they did at last muster a score, Nathan Chappell touching down Hitchcock’s grubber in the 44th minute

Neither side could convert their tries but Paul Sykes, the ex-England international signed from Wakefield, did add a penalty in the 49th minute after Doncaster strayed offside.

The home side responded soon after when Stewart Sanderdson kicked two points and then Cooke drifted a drop goal attempt just wide in the 63rd minute .

Sykes was called upon to deny Cooke when the former Hull FC stand-off made his first break and, when Rankin wasted that second chance, Featherstone struck.

Sykes improved Ryan’s try and Remy Marginet – the French trialist who gained extended minutes after an early injury to Sam Irwin (dead leg) – made sure with a 76th-minute drop goal.

Doncaster still await their first win but, having lost narrowly 
26-22 at relegated London Broncos the previous week, Cooke is not unduly worried.

“We’re disappointed but it bodes well for the future,” he said.

“It was an improvement from last week and if we continue to improve like that we won’t be too far away. Seven and four point losses against sides like London and Featherstone is admirable.

“I just think we lost our way a little in the second half; we needed to kick better and gain more field position.”

Doncaster: Scott; Doherty, Michaels, Cowling, Sanderson; Cooke, Rankin; Carbutt, Cunningham, Paleaaeasina, Snitch, Dunn, Emmett. Substitutes: Spiers, Clark, Waterman, Howarth.

Featherstone Rovers: Hitchcock; Sharp, Chappell, Cording, Blackmore; Sykes, Irwin; Baldwinson, Ellis, Wood, Foster, Ryan, Lockwood. Substitutes: Spears, James, Bostock, Marginet.

Referee: W Turley (Leigh).