Featherstone Rovers Season In Review – 4 on the trot
In many ways the 2013 season for Featherstone Rovers can be viewed as a successful one. Winning the Kingstone Press Championship for the fourth consecutive time, a feat no other club has achieved.
Sadly, however, it could be viewed that it was on the whole unsuccessful. With the departure of Daryl Powell and Ryan Sheridan during different periods of the season and also not reaching a major final, this could back the theory of a poor season.
In typical Featherstone style, the season was a rollercoaster of a journey. With many incredible memories to be spoken about for years to come.
The final home league game of the season epitomised the whole seasons campaign, with so many wonderful passages of play, but in the same breath some basic errors that in the would cost them in the play offs.
Beating Sheffield Eagles, 40 – 24 at The Big Fellas Stadium, Featherstone eventually clinched Featherstone Rovers the fourth consecutive league leaders shield. In reality of the four that the club have won, this was by far the most challenging.
With roughly, 30 seconds on the clock, winger, Will Sharp, rose high and beat the defender after a cross field kick from captain Liam Finn. Sending spectators, officials and staff into rapture.
The decision however, went to the video referee, meaning tension was incredible. If the try was awarded, Featherstone would in reality win the league. If however it wasn’t awarded, Sheffield Eagles would win the league.
Players from both teams, crowded round a television that was separating the coaching benches, so the teams could watch the reply of the incident.
With players from both teams looking on, the fourth official gave the decision that the try would be awarded. This meant Featherstone would win the league for the fourth consecutive season.
The pure delight from the Featherstone players and sadness of the Sheffield players can be seen in the image opposite
As can be seen in the image opposite of the then Head Coach, Danny Evans. Who had played at the club from Junior Level, to Senior, then to as a coaching role.
To officially be crowned league leaders, Featherstone had to then travel to Hunslet Hawks and at least get a draw. The team accomplished this and received the league leaders shield in the first round play off fixture against Leigh Centurions.
During the season, the players had many difficult moments especially with the departure of Daryl Powell to Castleford Tigers and Ryan Sheridan leaving the club.
It saw shock losses at York City Knights and Swinton Lions, however home defeats against Doncaster RL and Leigh Centurions in the Northern Rail Cup put a dampener on the whole season.
The play off fixture against Batley Bulldogs was one game too far and in a see saw fixture, John Kear and his team finished off the better and won in golden point extra time.
All thoughts and photos are from Chris Taylor, the photos are subject to copyright and belong to CST Photography, who are part of the official Featherstone Rovers Photography team.
Memory added on November 9, 2013
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