NRC final not a distraction for Fev

Featherstone coach Daryl Powell says they won’t be distracted by next weekend’s Northern Rail Cup final when they host Batley this week.

Rovers take on Halifax at Bloomfield Road in Blackpool on Sunday week, but first face the difficult task of Batley Bulldogs at Bigfellas Stadium.

Powell said: “We’ve got some big challenges coming up, but we won’t be looking at the Northern Rail Cup final until after this week.

“Batley will be wanting to come here, play well and get themselves back on track in the league. We’ve got to make sure they don’t do that to us.”

Batley, who suffered a disappointing home defeat against Sheffield last time out, can move within one point of Featherstone at the top of the table with a win.