FEATHERSTONE Rovers’ achievement in topping the Championship this season has deservedly earned accolades across the game.
The experienced Daryl Powell has had a significant impact at the club since arriving just under two years ago, and to top what is a hugely competitive division in his second season in charge is a significant achievement.
Rovers have been unbeaten away from home all year, and their only two losses – against Toulouse and Sheffield – have been narrow affairs on their own ground.
Pre-season pundits, including this one, tended to overlook Featherstone’s title prospects in favour of Halifax or Barrow, but Rovers have led the pack virtually from the off.
Their feat was hailed by RFL chief executive Nigel Wood last week.
“This is a terrific achievement by everyone at Featherstone Rovers and on behalf of the RFL I would like to extend my congratulations on their success,” said Wood.
“The Co-operative Championship has been as competitive in 2010 as we have grown accustomed to and Featherstone have had to work very hard to win the League Leaders’ Shield.
“What is particularly pleasing is the way in which Daryl Powell has built his team around a group of very talented young English players who have represented Featherstone with pride all year long.”
Wood makes a good point. The likes of Zak Hardacre and Sam Smeaton have come through the club’s blossoming youth structure to make a big impact in the Championship.
Powell has also taken on a host of young players released by Super League clubs – including Matty Dale, Liam Welham and Dane Manning – who have really found their feet under his tutelage.
Featherstone’s reward is now pole position in the forthcoming Championship play-offs, and the knowledge that one home victory will see them tick the Super League licence box of reaching a Grand Final.
But should finishing top of the league warrant a tick in the box itself? That question has been raised over the last week or so, and is certainly something that needs debating.
To top the division over 20 league matches is arguably a greater achievement than winning the Northern Rail Cup final, which current earns that coveted tick.
But Powell and his troops cannot worry about that at present, and must now instead refocus on the play-offs challenge that lies ahead.
Halifax and Barrow will be keen to repeat their Grand Final exploits of 2009, and Leigh, Sheffield and whoever else qualifies for the top six cannot be discounted.
But Featherstone Rovers will start the play-offs as clear favourites – and their outstanding 2010 campaign could yet get even better.
by Gareth Walker
There’ll be an in-depth feature on Featherstone Rovers in issue 354 (Oct 2010) of Rugby League World, published on 3rd Sept. Don’t miss it.
