Warm-up win will stand Featherstone Rovers in good stead says boss James Webster

Rovers ended a 51-week layoff with a 58-10 win over Oldham.

It was their first match under Covid restrictions and Webster admitted: “It was a weird feeling driving to the stadium for a game.”

He said: “It was a new experience for some of the players who didn’t play Super League last year, with no people there and two changing rooms and all the rules you have to go through about testing and different things as you get to the stadium.

“It was good practice for us, a good experience and some good foundations for what is going to be a long year.”

Rovers conceded only two tries and Webster said: “One was from a kick and one was at the end and I was pleased with our defence.

“I thought our contact and our willingness to put our body on the line was really good.

“We will need to improve as time goes on, we understand that.

“Every team will get better, but it was good - nobody was shy of contact, they were all ripping in there. It was a really solid hit out, both teams will have got a lot out of the game.”

Rovers face Batley Bulldogs in another warm-up match on Saturday and begin their competitive campaign against Bradford Bulls in the Betfred Challenge Cup the following weekend.

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