Featherstone Rovers: Sharp aims to keep errors down

JON SHARP says he will encourage his Featherstone Rovers side to play expansive rugby this season, but admits they need to reduce their error count.
Jon SharpJon Sharp
Jon Sharp

Rovers raced into a 14-0 lead in their opening Kingstone Press Championship fixture at Halifax two days ago before mistakes allowed the hosts back into the game.

Featherstone trailed twice in the second half, but eventually battled to a 32-26 victory, and coach Sharp said: “In the off-season we’ve averaged a 67 per cent completion rate in our five games.

“We won four of them and played well in every one.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We want to be adventurous and play football and sometimes something has to give.

“On the back of having a really good defensive unit I am encouraging them to play.

“On Sunday we were put under pressure and a completion rate of 60 per cent isn’t good enough at this level.

“But it was round one and I am sure we will improve in that area.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Rovers, who play host to Oldham this Sunday, were without Richard Moore (quad), Jay Walton (virus) and Scott Turner (back), who all pulled out after the final training session.

“In 13 or 14 years as a coach it was the worst Saturday run through I’ve ever had,” Sharp said.

“The attitude and positivity of everyone on Sunday was brilliant.”