Panthers maul Rovers to progress in Challenge Cup
Halifax Panthers produced a memorable Challenge Cup shock to knock out Championship leaders Featherstone Rovers 18-22 at the Millennium Stadium.
Tries from Matty Gee, Lachlan Walmsley, Tom Inman and the impressive former Rovers stand-off Louis Jouffret ensured the Panthers’ progress to the fourth round – and their first win at the Millennium Stadium since 2017 - inflicting Fev’s first competitive defeat of the season in the process.
Rovers made a fast start by opening the scoring after only nine minutes. A charge from former Fax prop Gadwin Springer led to Matty Wildie thinking he was over the line but he was held up by James Woodburn-Hall and Gee. However, they were in front seconds later when a lofted kick from Thomas Lacans was caught by Hardcastle who touched down, with Craig Hall adding the extras.
Woodburn-Hall had to be alert again, this time to thwart a rampaging run from Connor Jones. This seemed to give Fax some belief and they responded well and forced a couple of errors from the home side, which eventually led to a great pass from Jouffret to Gee, who went over from close range.
Seven minutes later, Fax had turned the tie on its head as a wonderful, flowing move
- involving slick, quick hands from Keyes and Jouffret enabled Walmsley to streak away from just inside the Fev half for his ninth try in 2023, maintaining his record of scoring in every single game.
Jouffret landed a penalty with the last play of the half
but Fev regained their composure after the restart as Fax’s four-point advantage was wiped out when Thomas Lacans bundled over and Hall goaled.
Jouffret knocked over his second penalty of the afternoon to make 12-12 with 30
minutes remaining and five minutes later, Halifax regained the lead again when Inman produced a great dummy and scooted over for his first try in Fax colours. Jouffret added the extras.
Rovers responded again and Springer charged over to
level but Jouffret produced a great solo effort for the game’s decisive try.
Rovers’ plight wasn’t helped by Hardcastle’s late red card but Panthers defended the last seven minutes stoutly to produce a great cup victory.