Return of Lions is welcomed by Powell
HALF a century, almost to the day, after their maiden Wembley win, Featherstone Rovers became the first side through to the Challenge Cup quarter-finals following a hard-fought win over Halifax.
It is unlikely Rovers will go on to repeat their triumph of 1967, when they beat Barrow 17-12 in the final, but a place in the last eight for the first time in two decades underlines their status as a club who are on the up.
They had to work hard to end Halifax’s seven-game winning run in a thrilling tie which was a great advert for the Championship.
The visitors led for six minutes in the first half, through Ben Heaton’s try from a well-judged pass by Scott Murrell and Steve Tyrer’s conversion.
John Davies’s try, created by Keal Carlisle and a conversion from Cory Aston levelled the scores and Rovers went ahead when Anthony Thackeray looped a long pass to Scott Turner and he dived over at the corner.
Aston had missed with a longrange penalty attempt when the game was scoreless, but landed a towering touchline conversion.
Thackeray hit a post with a drop goal attempt, but landed a one-pointer before half-time.
That came moments after referee Chris Campbell and video assistant Ben Thaler had spotted Halifax winger Rob Worrincy put a foot on the sideline before he touched down from acting-half.
Rovers second-rower Michael Knowles was held up over the line twice at the start of the second half, but Rovers extended their lead when Turner got over at the corner from Thackeray’s pass, the try awarded by Thaler.
Halifax were reduced to 12 men, with Shane Grady sin-binned for tripping Misi Taulapapa, but they got back in the game through a try by Ben Johnston and Tyrer’s conversion.
That cut Rovers’ lead to five points, but Thackeray kicked his second drop goal and Josh Hardcastle squeezed over, Aston adding the conversion. ENTHUSED Daryl Powell has welcomed the return of Lions tours, insisting it is the “pinnacle” of rugby league.
The Castleford Tigers coach represented Great Britain in 33 Tests during his own playing career, featuring on three tours of the southern hemisphere, including the 1992 trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Great Britain was disbanded, though, in 2007 as the national side split into the home nations.
However, it was confirmed this week that it will be reformed for a tour Down Under in 2019.
Powell, who also played for England in the 1995 World Cup, said: “It’s an awesome call. I feel it’s been badly missed.
“When you talk about the history of the Challenge Cup – as we have been doing ahead of our game with St Helens on Saturday, – you then look at the history of the international game and Lions tours are a big part of its fabric. It’s huge and awesome that players will now get an opportunity to go on tour and represent the sport and the country.”
Powell, sure to be touted as a potential Great Britain coach, added: “I remember playing at Melbourne when we beat them (Australia) 33-10 (in 1992).
“I’m not sure how many thousands were there but it was significant. There was a huge following – and people buy into it. They absolutely do.
“It’s the pinnacle of rugby league. You’ve got England and people say that’s not far off the same in terms of the team perspective. But it (Lions) is different. The history and representing all those people who have gone before you. It’s crucial.”
New Zealand will tour Europe next year while the Kangaroos will do the same in 2020.
The last time Great Britain toured Australia was in 2006 as part of the Tri-Nations.