Featherstone end on a high with first victory

Featherstone ended their Super 8s Qualifiers campaign with a 26-20 victory over fellow Kingstone Press Championship side Halifax.

Before yesterday both teams had failed to win a game in the Qualifiers, after finishing in the Championship’s top four in the regular season, but produced an exciting contest at The Shay.

John Davies’ early try and two goals from Ian Hardman left Featherstone in control but Ben Kaye crossed for the first of his two tries in the closing stages of the first half to make it 8-6 at the break. Rovers appeared to be out of sight after Misi Taulapapa added to tries from Luke Briscoe and Frankie Mariano to make it 26-12 with Jacob Fairbank in the sin bin.

Rob Worrincy and Ben Heaton crossed to set up a nervy finish but Hardman’s five goals proved the difference. Tensions boiled over in the closing minute as Featherstone forward Richard Moore and Halifax winger Heaton were both sent off.

Meanwhile, Leeds coach Brian Mcdermott has become the first man to show his hand for the 2017 World Cup by announcing his 23man United States squad.

Mcdermott, who is taking charge on a part-time basis, has included 12 players from the USARL’S domestic club competition alongside Hull’s new signing Bureta Faraimo, former Wigan forward Edward Pettybourne and London Broncos forward Mark Offerdahl.

“Having a large group of actual American players is a massive thing for USA rugby league,” said Mcdermott. “The American people want to see Americans playing.”