PICTURE GALLERY: Featherstone Lions reach play-off quarter-finals despite suffering first defeat

It was a disappointing 26-12 result in what will probably be the Lions’ final run-out at the Mill Pond this season, but the home side can have few complaints about the outcome.

The game began brightly for the Lions when Alfie Beresford scythed through some desperate tackling on a length-of-the-field break. Ince Rose Bridge were still shaking off their ‘bus legs’ when a quick play-the-ball allowed Davi Garahan to continue his fine scoring run, crossing for Featherstone’s opening try. Rich Frankland made no mistake with the conversion.

Unfortunately for the large Featherstone crowd, that was to be the only joy of the first half. The visitors gradually found their feet and established a defensive discipline that repeatedly thwarted the Lions’ attacks.

Their defensive resilience built confidence, while possession and territory came their way through a few too many Lions penalties. The pressure eventually told as Ince Rose crossed twice, although both tries went unconverted.

A half-time score of 8-6 would arguably have been a let-off for the Lions, given the visitors’ dominance. However, a late burst saw Ince Rose cross beside the posts, extending their lead to 14-6 at the break.

Coach Daz Fisher’s half-time words had an immediate effect. The start of the second half saw the tables turned, with the Lions applying relentless pressure to the Brudge line.

Despite the attention of a phalanx of defenders, Gaz Gale breached the goal-line cover to score beneath the posts. Frankland added the extras to bring the score back to 14-12 and the possibility of Featherstone progressing to the next round unbeaten was suddenly back on the radar.

However, the visitors were not to be undone and the game turned midway through the second half. Alfie Beresford crashed over from acting-half, initially having his try awarded by the referee before it was chalked off as being held up.

From that let-off, Ince Rose regained control and ran in two further tries that typified their effective wide-running rugby. One was converted, and the Lions were left with no way back as the clock ran down with the Wigan visitors 26-12 to the good.

Lions will know that this was a performance below their usual standards. However, the vagaries of the end-of-season play-offs mean there is still a second chance, with the Lions travelling to Saddleworth for next Saturday’s quarter-final.

The Mill Pond men have responded to the setbacks and misfortunes of the season with fighting spirit throughout the year. The knockout stages now offer them another opportunity for redemption next week.

Fryston Warriors are also through from their play-off group after beating Moldgreen 34-30 and will travel to Ince Rose Bridge.

Lock Lane sealed their survival in the Premier Division of the National League when they beat York Acorn 30-8 in midweek.

Alex Barker and Rob Jowett crossed by the 23rd minute, Reece Hollingsworth adding the first two of five conversions from as many attempts.

Thompson replied for Acorn as the interval beckoned but the visitors – who had edged matters 26-24 in Castleford – went in at the break 18-4 ahead courtesy of Tom Gibson’s touchdown.

Lane’s Morgan Jones bagged a brace by the hour to help secure a 30-4 lead and, after Thompson had been sin-binned on 61 minutes for dissent and his teammate Nath Hammerton had been red-carded with eight minutes left for an alleged punch – Lane’s Leyton Davies seeing yellow for “loss of control” in response – Acorn’s Aaron Walker grabbed a late consolation try.

There was no follow-up win for Lock Lane as they let a 22-12 lead slip in the final quarter to lose 30-22 to West Bowling.

The rally owed something to the sin-binnings of the Lane’s Calum Butler and the visitors’ Oliver Bartle on 62 minutes for “coming together” – plus a yellow card for the hosts’ Connor Wilson on 67 minutes for punching.

Wests, who had won 34-24 in Bradford, made the most of the extra space with unanswered tries by Logan Simpson, Archie Halmshaw and Lewis Camden – Harry Williams landing the last three of his five goals – to post a third successive win.

Jack Cull and Danny Rushworth had crossed by the 43rd minute to help forge a 12-6 lead while Lane had led through a brace for Lewis Price (who was sin-binned on 39 minutes for a professional foul) and tries by Josh Stevens and Davies, three of which Butler converted.

Here’s a look at Jonathan Buck’s images from the Featherstone Lions game:

Alfie Beresford rips open the Ince Rose defence to set up Featherstone Lions' first try. Photo: Jonathan Buck

Jake Wood is hauled down by a pair of tenacious tacklers. Photo: Jonathan Buck

Ian Jackson leads another attacking surge against the Wigan team's line. Photo: Jonathan Buck

Sam Millard takes the horizontal route to try and breach the Wigan side's defence. Photo: Jonathan Buck