Brian McDermott: Lets cut the crap, we have failed against Leigh

Featherstone coach Brian McDermott has warned his side they have lost the Championship lead to Leigh because they just haven’t been good enough.

Having led the table all season, Rovers have now lost twice to their fierce rivals in the last month, with Adrian Lam’s side producing powerful performances to win the 1895 Cup and then again in the Championship in the final game before the international break.

The Centurions took over top spot with that win at the Leigh Sports Village, with the last few weeks proving a big reality check according to the Featherstone boss.

“We’ve learned some tough lessons,” said McDermott said when speaking to Rovers TV last week ahead of Sunday’s 28-20 defeat to Batley, their first home defeat of the season. 

“Against Leigh in the two games, sometimes you just have to cut the crap a little bit and say we just haven’t been good enough, they have been better than us. 

“They have been better than us in a couple of really specific areas. For most of this year we have been leading the league and now we are chasing. 

“Over the two tests we have had against Leigh in the last month we have failed in each test and we are not shying away from that.”

Brian McDermott praises Craig Hall

Speaking to Rovers TV, McDermott revealed he is now starting to put his own imprint on the squad, explaining how leading points scorer Craig Hall has reacted “brilliantly” to being dropped from the side. 

And the Rovers coach says his side will now learn from their setbacks for the second half of the season.

He said: “While we would rather be leading and have beaten Leigh in both games, there is some merit in chasing and we have some clarity now. 

“Right here, right now we know we are chasing Leigh and we have that determination about us.”

Hall made his return to action in Sunday’s defeat to Batley. Rovers will look to return to winning ways on Saturday night when they host Newcastle Thunder.

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