Fev relish cup opportunity

Featherstone coach Daryl Powell says the Challenge Cup draw against Castleford is a huge opportunity for the club.

The Championship winners, who have topped the league table in both of the past two seasons, were drawn against their local rivals in the fourth round.

With Castleford bottom of the Super League table, it gives the best team outside of the top flight the chance to test their abilities against a full time outfit.

Head Coach Daryl Powell said: “What a marvellous opportunity this is for us as a team, and for the club in general.

“This is the draw that everybody wanted: players, staff and fans.

“It  gives the players the chance to pit themselves as a team against Super League opposition. It adds a new chapter to the rivalry between the two clubs: a rivalry that will, I’m sure express itself in the best possible way.”

Rovers last won the Challenge Cup in 1983, while Castleford won it three years later in 1986.

Captain Stuart Dickens added: “I Think it’s a great draw for the club, it would be really good to see the place sold out and buzzing. Good challenge for the players and a chance to play in a real local derby.”

The last time the two sides met in a competitive fixture was back in 2005, when Castleford came away 38-34 winners at Post Office Road.

The Tigers beat Featherstone four times that season on their way to the National League 1 title, twice in the league and twice in the Northern Rail Cup.