Harrison: Featherstone still favourites

Reigning champions Featherstone will be the team to beat in 2014, according to Halifax head coach Karl Harrison.

Rovers, who have lifted the Championship League Leaders Shield for the past four seasons, saw off Harrison’s side  30-12 in a pre-season friendly yesterday, with new signing Gareth Moore a particular highlight.

“It was a tough, old fashioned game,” said Harrison.

“But the best team won, the best player on the field was Gareth Moore and Featherstone have set the standard for us.

There is still nearly a month to go until the opening day of the season though, so Harrison is not panicking just yet.

He said, “We know what we have to do.

“We need to find some fluency and continuity but we also need to earn the right to play.

“We were gifting them field position and you cannot do that.

“I don’t think you should over-read the results of these games.”