Featherstone Rovers could face dire consequences after semi-final defeat

Featherstone Rovers have been stunned by London Broncos denying them their place in Super League alongside Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens next year.

The club could potentially face dire consequences. This is because, after years of coming close to Super League, they could now have a very limited chance of making the jump to Super League with many believing that IMG’s grading system will work against them and consign them to the Championship making this semi-final defeat a disaster.

The club were one of a small minority to vote against the IMG grading system and they could very well work against them.

They were blown away by London from the first minute. They got off to an electric start with Alex Walker scoring from an inside ball before a lovely move down the left wing allowed former Super League star and Catalans Dragons centre Dean Whare to score.

Featherstone gave themselves a chance with a try for Chris Hankinson on his 200th appearance.

It was well and truly game on when Joey Leilua crossed six minutes before the break and it looked set to be level at the interval but the away side notched another try and a second for Alex Walker as he fired the Broncos back in front.

Featherstone needed a reaction but it didn’t come with the Broncos crossing again in the 52nd way with Whare setting up Iliess Macani finishing off the move and giving them a 24-12 lead.

At that scoreline, Featherstone still had hope but the Broncos made it two tries in three minutes through Dalton Grant after a sublime move down the left edge.

Around this time things got worse for Fev with Brad Day sin binned for a tackle that went above the horizontal.

A sixth try followed from Henry Raiwalui scored next as former Super League and NRL star Corey Norman pulled the strings.

Hankinson notched a second try but by now the game was all but gone especially as the conversion was missed.

With 15 minutes to go, London had a 20 point lead and had one foot in the Grand Final against Toulouse Olympique.

The Rovers gave themselves half a chance with 10 minutes to go when Luke Briscoe crossed to make it 36-20 with Mark Kheirallah converting.

10 to go and there was 14 points in it, half a chance for the Rovers. They had more of a chance when Joey Leilua scored a second to make it 36-26.