Featherstone Rovers 36 Leigh Centurions 16: Rovers stretch their unbeaten run

Andy Kain scored two tries and his half-back partner Liam Finn landed six goals from six kicks as champions Rovers followed their opening day win at Keighley by stretching their unbeaten league run to 21 matches.

Leigh are still without a league win this season after Rovers took a commanding 24-8 interval lead.

Ryan Shaw’s eighth-minute penalty put the Centurions in front but Rovers soon hit back when Finn put in Greg Worthington. Finn struck again five minutes later when he cleverly made the opening for Ian Hardman to score.

Featherstone’s Tangi Ropati was held up over the line before Kain was denied a certain try when Finn’s pass to him struck referee Ronnie Laughton.

Rovers continued to make all the running and shot further ahead with two tries in three minutes. Substitute Kyle Briggs, with his first touch, sent in Andy Bostock before Kain went over and Finn kicked his fourth goal to make it 24-2.

The Centurions cut the gap shortly before half-time when Martyn Ridyard’s kick created a try for Matt Gardner that Ridyard goaled, but Kain grabbed his second try early in the second-half to put Rovers further ahead.

Leigh’s Tom Spencer went over three minutes later but the visitors’ fate was sealed when Tangi Ropati charged in.

Featherstone’s Tommy Saxton had two efforts ruled out before Leigh’s Matt Russell scored a last- minute try.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Saxton, Smeaton, Worthington, Ropati; Kain, Finn; England, Kaye, Haley, Grayshon, Lockwood, Dale. Substitutes: Hepworth, Briggs, Maloney, Bostock.

Leigh Centurions: Russell; Maden, Littler, Gardner, Shaw; Brierley, Duffy; Bibey, Beswick, Spencer, Worrincey, Taylor, Hopkins. Substitutes: Ridyard, Briscoe, Nicholson, Parker.

Referee: R Laughton (Barnsley).