Improved performance fails to save Fax from defeat to Rovers
Connor Wynne scored four tries as Featherstone Rovers recorded a fourth successive Championship win by beating Halifax Panthers 36-16 at the Millennium Stadium.
And although the 36-16 scoreline, inspired by the Fev winger, looked convincing at the end, Fax produced a much-improved performance from the defeat at home to Swinton Lions.
Liam Finn’s side were only 12-10 down at half-time and although a converted Josh Hardcastle try made it 18-10, the sending off of Gareth Gale gave the Panthers a numerical advantage going into the final 20 minutes.
But Rovers, thanks to three Wynne tries, ensured a fourth straight triumph, consigning Halifax to a fourth successive loss.
After a fairly even start to proceedings, in which both sides made mistakes, Fev began to camp on Fax’s defensive line. And the pressure told in the 13th minute when Wynne flew over in the corner, after collecting a fantastic looped pass from Paul Turner.
That was Wynne’s fifth try in the last three games for Fev. The same amount of tries as Halifax have scored as a whole over the same period. Luke Hooley nailed the conversion.
Panthers started to slowly feel their way back into the game as Joe Keyes started to pull the strings and former Fev man Louis Jouffret began to produce a range of quick and effective passes.
One such pass, a low bobbly one to Greg Eden, perplexed the Featherstone defence, so much so it turned them to statues, and the former Castleford winger touched down - with the help of Jouffret’s boot - to restore parity.
A Keyes high kick was then spilled by Hooley but an incorrect play-the-ball let Fev off the hook. And they took advantage soon after when Albert stretched over under the sticks.
Fax, however, looked an entirely different prospect to the side that tamely lost to Swinton Lions for a third consecutive defeat, and they got back to within two points - at 12-10 - before half-time when Saltonstall’s intricate grubber kick was pounced upon by Widdop.
The second half ’s first real chance fell to Fax with the excellent Keyes releasing Jacob Fairbank down the middle but the forward could not gather the ball cleanly.
Rovers, however, proved clinical when they were presented with their first opportunity of the second half. Hardcastle, who returned at centre, somehow weaved his way past five Fax players to score. Hooley’s conversion made it 18-10.
What potentially could have been the game’s turning point occurred in the 60th minute when Gale was sent off following a clash with Tom Inman. But the numerical disadvantage spurred Rovers on. Wynne went over for his double just four minutes later after a stroke of good fortune, with Hooley making it four from four.
Fax produced an instant response when Keyes got the try his performance deserved but Wynne’s hat-trick try on 72 minutes halted any thoughts of a comeback.
There was still time for Wynne to score a memorable fourth as Paul Turner scampered clear and found the supporting Wynne for his eighth try in just three games.