FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 16 BARROW RAIDERS 10
STEPHEN IBBETSON, Millennium Stadium, Saturday
ASH PRESCOTT scored six minutes from time to seal Featherstone’s first top-flight victory in five years.
After a disappointing opening defeat in Leigh and a predictably difficult tie at Leeds, it was third time lucky for Rovers, who were promoted last season after losing every game in their last Super League season of 2024.
Barrow are now the division’s only winless team – despite taking the lead after eight minutes against the run of play.
Emma Hutchinson scored a good try after a series of offloads, and Nicole Stewart’s conversion made it a six-point lead.
The hosts didn’t lose heart, however, and levelled things up nine minutes later when Brogan Churm powered over and Dani Waters kicked the goal.
It remained at 6-6 through to half-time with plenty of errors but no little effort from two determined sides.
Within four minutes of the restart, Featherstone took the lead for the first time through Waters following a Raiders knock-on.
Waters again added the extras, which proved important going into the final quarter after Vanessa Temple played Chloe Capstick down the wing but the conversion was missed.
Rovers’ two-point lead put the pressure on Barrow and they couldn’t find a winner, with Prescott instead settling matters late on.
ROVERS: 19 Beth Macmillan, 18 Ash Prescott, 3 Chloe Billington, 13 Dani Waters, 5 Shavon Craven, 32 Cristina Song-Puche, 7 Liv Grace, 17 Brogan Kennedy, 6 Charley Blackburn, 12 Brogan Churm, 11 Tilly Churm, 31 Téssa Benmalek, 10 Emillie Holmes. Subs (all used): 4 Lydia Fawkes, 8 Katie Evans, 14 Gabby Harrison, 15 Aaliyah Brewster
Tries: B Churm (17), Waters (44), Prescott (74); Goals: Waters 2/3
RAIDERS: 1 Sam Norman, 2 Chloe Capstick, 3 Emily Stirzaker, 5 Emma Hutchinson, 19 Blossom Howell, 9 Beth Lindsay, 7 Beth Pattinson, 8 Leah Clough, 14 Leah Cottier, 10 Jodie Morley, 11 Lucy Dickinson, 12 Vanessa Temple, 13 Nicole Stewart. Subs (all used): 6 Kerrie-Ann Smith, 15 Jodie Crawford, 16 Mia Dobson, 18 Megan Mayhew-Beach
Tries: E Hutchinson (8), Capstick (59); Goals: Stewart 1/2
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6; 12-6, 12-10, 16-10
Half-time: 6-6