PICTURE GALLERY: Featherstone Lions withstand Barrow fightback to win opening play-off contest

The home side had qualified by virtue of finishing third in their regional league, setting the scene for a testing afternoon for the Millpond men.

Any effects of the journey were certainly not evident in the opening half as the visitors dominated territory and possession with a controlled and composed display.

Within minutes of kick-off Ash Smith powered over for a converted try, before Davi Garahan produced a touchline sprint to add another four points.

Returning half-back Rich Frankland turned back the years to control proceedings and his perfectly weighted grubber kick put Jack Brears through for the penultimate score of the half.

Skipper Jordy Walker then crashed over beneath the posts to complete a dominant opening 40 minutes, before the referee brought the half to a close.

A 22-0 scoreline at the break suggested the game was all but over. But Featherstone's comfortable advantage was soon whittled away as Barrow fought their way back into the contest.

Three unanswered tries, two of them converted, demonstrated the pedigree of the home side and rattled the visitors. The discipline and control that had characterised the first half began to evaporate as Barrow seized the initiative.

Only a determined goal-line defensive stand, featuring some outstanding all-or-nothing tackling, prevented the Cumbrian side from completing an unlikely comeback.

With the score at 22–16, Featherstone finally made a rare foray into Barrow territory and Elliott Bell seized upon the slightest of openings.

Slicing through the defensive line before rounding the full-back, Bell showed excellent composure to ground the ball between the posts, giving Frankland the easiest of conversions. The resulting 12-point cushion restored some calm to the Lions' game plan.

With the clock ticking towards full-time, Jack Lloyd then made certain of the victory with a powerful burst for another six-point score. The icing on the cake was provided by the ageless Danny Glassell, who glided through the defence to claim the game's final try. Frankland added the conversion to complete the scoring at 38-16.

The Lions can feel satisfied with a convincing victory in a region where it is notoriously difficult to come away with the spoils. The shaky start to the second half aside, this was a performance that reflected the strength of the Featherstone squad, with its potent blend of youth and experience proving a powerful combination.

The NCL end-of-season play-offs continue this Saturday when the Lions entertain local rivals Thornhill Trojans, from the Yorkshire A Conference, kick-off 2.30pm at the Millpond Stadium, Featherstone.

Fryston Warriors also emerged victorious from the first of their Cross Conference play-offs as they won 22-20 at Hensingham. They travel to Orrell St James this Saturday.

Lock Lane eased relegation fears in the National League Premier with a second successive victory.

A convincing 48-20 success at bottom of the table Rochdale Mayfield lifted them to fourth from bottom and they are now seven points clear of the basement dwellers.

Lane did the double over Mayfield after also prevailing 22-12 in Castleford and were well in control of the return fixture in the opening half.

Rochdale went in front with a Cole Connolly penalty, but were 24-2 adrift at the break and 30-2 behind early in the second period, having leaked tries by Lewis Price, Leyton Davies, Connor Wilson (twice) and Curtis Siddons.

Connolly converted tries by Charlie Warburton and Jack McConnachie by way of response, only for Siddons and Keiran Purdy to hit back for the visitors.

McConnachie dotted down for Mayfield, Connolly again improving, but Jake Johnson was then sin-binned on 77 minutes for striking and Lane sealed a 48-20 result with a Morgan Jones effort and Callum Butler’s eighth goal from as many attempts.

Lock Lane now travel to Wath Brow Hornets this Saturday.

Here’s a look at Jonathan Buck’s images from Featherstone Lions’ play-off win at Barrow Island: