Featherstone showed signs of champion side at Barrow, reveals John Duffy

Featherstone coach John Duffy said the team showed signs of a champion side to end Barrow’s 23-month unbeaten home record.

The Rovers won 38-26 at Craven Park on Sunday to move two points clear of full-time outfit Toulouse Olympique in second position.

And Duffy was impressed by some of the signs his side showed at Barrow, who were unbeaten for nearly two years at home.

He said: “It wasn’t a great spectacle but we were pleased to get what was an ugly win.

“We didn’t adapt very well to the way the game panned out. The ruck was slow and some calls went against us.

“We gave some sloppy penalties away but it is always tough going there, so I am glad we got the victory.

“Barrow have always had a great home and teams come unstuck there. But champion sides always find a way to win and we did that.”

The Rovers travel to the Keepmoat Stadium on Sunday as they face League 1 side Doncaster in the fifth round of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup, 3pm kick-off.

And Duffy wants his side to go on a good cup run.

He added: “We are ok with where we are at in terms of the league table and are now able to focus on the Challenge Cup.

“Doing well in the cup is something we spoke about at length during the closed season.

“We are looking forward to travelling to a great stadium and playing on a brilliant surface, at Doncaster, for what should be a really good game.”