Fev aim for Grand Final place

Iain Morrison (knee) is Featherstone Rovers’ only absentee as Daryl Powell’s table-topping side aim to secure a place in the Co-operative Championship Grand Final.

Featherstone’s first team have been playing against the club’s reserves in a bid to keep match-fit after a two-week break without a competitive game.

Whoever loses on Thursday will get another opportunity to qualify for the season’s finale, but Featherstone are determined to take the direct route.

Coach Powell said: “The Grand Final is the biggest day out at our level and we want to be there, but you’ve got to earn your way there.

“We’re focussed on doing it at the first attempt. We’re not thinking about falling back on the second game.”

Captain Stuart Dickens added: “It’s a massive game, and there’s a lot at stake. We’ve finished top of the league, but we know we aren’t going to be recognised as the champions unless we win the play-off series.

“We’re pretty relaxed. We’ve trained really well over the last couple of weeks.

“We’re going into this game hoping to play well and get the result. We don’t want to have to go into the next game. We’re looking at it as a semi-final to get into a final.”

Halifax captain Dave Larder said: “The camp’s pretty positive and we’re looking forward to the game.

“I think it will be a tight game. Both teams have been in this position before.

“Featherstone have been the form team of the year. They’ve been very consistent, so we know it’s going to be a tough game, but we’ve built some confidence over the last six weeks.”