Featherstone Rovers are through to the Kingstone Press Championship Grand Final after a 21-12 victory over reigning champions Sheffield Eagles. A 21 point start was too much to overturn for the Eagles, despite two quick second half scores from Peter Green and Quentin Laulu-Togagae.
Nine minutes into the game came the first score. Former Huddersfield Giant Ben Blackmore with the score from a long cut out pass, a great start for Hay’s men as Gareth Moore converted from the sideline. Moore kicked a penalty goal six minutes later to extend the hosts lead. A nightmare two minutes would occur for the Eagles which ultimately separated the two teams when the final hooter sounded.
James Lockwood showed great strength to score the Rovers second try of the game. Poor defending by Sheffield left Aston’s men shellshocked in the Featherstone night. Ben Blackmore broke straight from the ensuing kick off to put Fev three scores in front after 22 minutes. Moore converted Lockwood’s score but couldn’t add the extras on Blackmore’s try. 18-0 before Moore teased the Eagles with another penalty goal along with a drop goal. 21-0 half-time. Eagles not settled in at all whilst Andy Hay’s men showed great attacking instinct to be in a comfortable situation.
Sheffield showed what they could do in attack when they finally got into a good position. Peter Green scoring a rare try from a Kyle Briggs grubber. Conversion successful by Brambani for 21-6. Two minutes after Green’s score, Laulu-Togagae and a Brambani kick doubled the Eagles tally. Briggs the instigator once more, it was his kick that landed to Turner who managed to scramble a ball out to the full back. 21-12 after 47.
Sheffield kept the pressure on Featherstone but the hosts showed why they came 2nd in the league overall. Great defence denying the Eagles on occasions whilst the Rovers did well with their completions. Keeping the ball ‘up the jumper’ as one hated Sky Sports pundit would have said. Matt Garside plucked the ball out of the air from a Fev pass and set off running. He got stopped on the Rovers ’40’, then playing the ball to nobody. Gareth Moore pouncing on the ball, capitalising on the Sheffield error. This pretty much summed up the Sheffield ‘revival’. The talent was there but the finishing touches and pure patience with ball in hand just wasn’t there for all to see. But I have to stress I’m not taking anything away from Featherstone, the attack in the first half along with the defence for the all match was brilliant.
Castleford bound Steve Crossley was the pick of a feisty Fev pack.
The end of the 2014 road for the Sheffield Eagles who can hold their heads up high after a turbulent season. All roads lead to Headingley for Featherstone now who’ll face Leigh Centurions in the final. I will be there for that one so a preview and match report will be uploaded to this site in the coming days.
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