FEATHERSTONE ROVERS 34 BARROW RAIDERS 6
ELLIE INDIE, Millennium Stadium, Saturday
BARROW are on the brink of a promotion/relegation play-off after being swept aside by a Tilly Churm-inspired Featherstone.
Rovers had already secured safety and a fifth win only underscores their strong return to the top tier, although they had to battle in this game which was level shortly before half-time.
They opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Churm followed up a good break by Beth Macmillan by pouncing on the scrambling defence for her first score, and Dani Waters provided the kick.
The visitors gained yardage from a trio of penalties that swung momentum in their favour. Fev also made matters worse for themselves via two handling errors which gave Barrow two hacks at the line, and they eventually earned their rewards through a crash-over from Nicole Stewart, who found little difficulty with the goal.
The Raiders continued on after forcing a knock-on and had a few more pokes at the line, but ultimately spilt possession too.
Churm was Featherstone’s best outlet and her strong running brought another try, before Ash Prescott scored in almost similar fashion, refusing to be tackled, on the stroke of half-time and Waters slotted in both goals under the sticks.
The restart was scrappy from both but Featherstone were the first to improve. Barrow struggled to get out of their own half despite penalties adjusting their position upfield, and self-inflicted errors invited the home side in.
On their third consecutive set of pressure, Aaliyah Brewster crashed over from close range, Waters mopping up with the conversion.
Churm then crossed for her hat-trick, taking advantage of the overlap on her right, where this time the angle was too much for the conversion.
Barrow’s woes worsened when Darcy Southward was shown the yellow card for a professional foul, although they managed to stem the try-scoring flow of Featherstone for the next ten minutes.
However, Emillie Holmes added her name to the teamsheet from close range with ten to go. Gabby Harrison took on kicking duties successfully to round off the game.
ROVERS: 19 Beth Macmillan, 2 Ellie Lamb, 3 Chloe Billington, 4 Lydia Fawkes, 5 Shavon Craven, 6 Charley Blackburn, 7 Liv Grace, 14 Gabby Harrison, 29 Cerys Gregory, 10 Emillie Holmes, 11 Tilly Churm, 16 Kacey Davies, 13 Dani Waters. Subs (all used): 8 Katie Evans, 15 Aaliyah Brewster, 18 Ash Prescott, 23 Hope Throw
Tries: T Churm (6, 37, 55), Prescott (39), Brewster (49), Holmes (70); Goals: Waters 4/5, Harrison 1/1
RAIDERS: 19 Blossom Howell, 2 Chloe Capstick, 3 Emily Stirzaker, 17 Kelly Friend, 5 Emma Hutchinson, 13 Nicole Stewart, 7 Beth Pattinson, 27 Sam Unsworth, 14 Leah Cottier, 16 Mia Dobson, 26 Darcy Southward, 11 Lucy Dickinson, 20 Imogen Smillie. Subs (all used): 10 Jodie Morley, 21 Hannah Thompson, 23 Kendall Dutton, 25 Maddie Houghton
Tries: Stewart (23); Goals: Stewart 1/1; Sin bin: Southward (59) – professional foul
SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 6-6; 12-6, 18-6; 24-6, 28-6, 34-6
Half-time: 18-6; Referee: Matty Clayton