Featherstone Rovers 54 Leigh Centurions 16: Rovers earn final chance as Smeaton shines with four tries
Centre Sam Smeaton bagged four tries and Liam Finn scored a try and kicked seven goals as Rovers stormed to their ninth straight victory to book a place in the final against Sheffield or Halifax at Blackpool on Sunday, July 29.
Championship leaders Rovers rocked the Centurions early on with three tries in six minutes.
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Hide AdJack Briscoe sparked the scoring burst after clever work by Andy Kain and Smeaton.
Ian Hardman’s excellent run then paved the way for Kain to put in Smeaton who quickly bagged his second by going over from Finn’s pass.
Rovers increased their lead with Tommy Saxton’s neatly-taken 29th-minute try and Finn’s second goal.
Leigh hit back when substitute Kevin Henderson forced his way through from close range but they were soon under the cosh again as Rovers made it 24-4 at half-time when Finn and Kain sent in Smeaton for his third.
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Hide AdThe Centurions reduced the deficit early in the second-half when Sam Hopkins went over and Martyn Ridyard converted but Featherstone quickly regained control with two tries in four minutes.
Smeaton collected his fourth and swift crossfield passing put in Saxton for his second.
Leigh’s Stuart Littler went in before Rovers completed the rout with touchdowns by Stuart Dickens, Finn and Briscoe.
Sheffield will check on Dominic Brambani’s fitness following a dead leg ahead of tonight’s second semi-final (7.30pm), while Halifax travel without Ross Divorty and Ben Heaton (both ankle).
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Hide AdFeatherstone: Hardman, Briscoe, Smeaton, Worthington, Saxton, Kain, Finn, England, Kaye, Dickens, Lockwood, Spears, Dale. Substitutes: Ellis, Maloney, Haley, Bostock.
Leigh: McNally, Maden, Littler, Gardner, Clay, Ridyard, Brierley, Nash, Nicholson, Spencer, Hopkins, Thornley, Briscoe. Substitutes: Henderson, Duffy, Ostick, Parker.
Referee: J Leahy (Dewsbury).
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have signed Leeds Rhinos utility back Lee Smith on a month’s loan.
The ex-England international, 25, has fallen out of favour at Headingley and is set to debut against Wigan Warriors on Sunday.
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Hide AdTrinity coach Richard Agar said: “Lee is certainly a good addition.
“He is a quality player and we were alerted to the situation by the fact he was a regular in the Nines.”
Castleford Tigers have signed former Leeds, Hull FC and Crusaders player Jordan Tansey for 2013.
The 25-year-old is currently playing with York City Knights in the Championship but Castleford coach Ian Millward said: “We’ve signed him next year on his outstanding utility value.”