FEATHERSTONE ROVERS and Wakefield Trinity played out a classic Challenge Cup tie with Gareth Gale’s 60-metre effort confirming a Rovers win in Golden Point extra-time.
It was a feisty local derby and both Renouf Atoni and Brad England were sent to the sinbin just after the midway point in the first-half for a scuffle between the two teams.
The resulting penalty left Rovers on the Wakefield line but Connor Jones was held up with Featherstone enjoying the possession and field position in the opening half-hour.
James Ford’s side finally punished their opponents on 32 minutes, a slick passing move being finished by Gareth Gale in the corner. Thomas Lacans converted brilliantly from the touchline for a 6-0 lead.
The hosts were applying all the pressure still and an Iain Thornley knock-on handed Rovers a great chance before the break.
Featherstone, and Wynne, took advantage, with the former Hull FC man crossing delightfully in the corner once more. Lacans’ conversion this time dropped short with Ford’s men leading 10-0 at the break.
Daryl Powell had clearly given Wakefield a rocket at half-time, and, after a spell of pressure, the visitors had their first points of the afternoon.
After impressive handling on the inside, Oliver Pratt did well to slide over on 48 minutes, but Jowitt couldn’t convert with the score remaining at 10-4.
Following back-to-back sets which saw Trinity pepper the hosts’ line, they finally had their second as the hour approached, Romain Franco going over unopposed after great work by Lino and Jowitt. The latter couldn’t convert though as Featherstone still led 10-8 with a quarter of the game left.
Rovers’ error count began mounting and with Aekins dropping a Lino bomb, the visitors had the chance to level the scores when Pratt was caught high. Lino took over the kicking duties and made it 10-10 with 15 minutes remaining.
With good chances at a premium, it was next points winner but neither side could find the answer as Golden Point came to fruition.
However, following Josh Griffin’s error, Gareth Gale ran 60 metres unopposed to win the game in extra-time.
Featherstone Rovers
1 Caleb Aekins
19 Manoa Wacokecoke
3 Josh Hardcastle
2 Connor Wynne
5 Gareth Gale
14 Harry Bowes
7 Thomas Lacans
8 Gadwin Springer
9 Connor Jones
12 Jack Bussey
11 Brad Day
17 Brad England
13 Danny Addy
Subs (all used)
15 Wellington Albert
18 Moris Kamano
20 Keenen Tomlinson
27 Zach Fishwick
Tries: Wynne (32, 38), Gale (85)
Goals: Lacans 1/2
Wakefield Trinity
1 Max Jowitt
23 Romain Franco
12 Josh Griffin
3 Oliver Pratt
5 Lachlan Walmsley
6 Luke Gale
7 Mason Lino
8 Josh Bowden
9 Liam Hood
10 Renouf Atoni
11 Matty Ashurst
13 Jay Pitts
21 Thomas Doyle
Substitutes
15 Caleb Uele
19 Isaiah Vagana
26 Harvey Smith
30 Noah Booth
Tries: Pratt (48), Franco (58)
Goals: Jowitt 0/2, Lino 1/1
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