DEFENDINGS champions Featherstone ran in nine tries in a 54-10 win at Hunslet to move to within a point of Co-operative Championship leaders Halifax.

Jon Hepworth and Nathan Chappel both scored two tries while Liam Finn finished with 22 points as Rovers cruised to a seventh win of the season.

Stuart Kain scored a try in each half for the Hawks, who remain second from bottom of the table.

Halifax are riding high thanks to their 24-18 win at Swinton Lions on Friday night, while fourth-placed Leigh came from 12-6 down at half-time to condemn Dewsbury to a third successive defeat with a 34-18 victory at the Tetley’s Stadium.

Tries from Pat Walker, James Craven and George Flanagan put the Rams 18-16 ahead after 52 minutes but the Centurions finished strongly, with Tom Spencer, Craig Briscoe and Sam Hopkins all scoring tries in the final quarter.

York remain rooted to the foot of the table after going down 42-18 at home to Keighley.

The City Knights threatened to pull off an upset when a try from Jack Lee and two from Tom Bush, all converted by player-coach former Giant Chris Thorman, gave them a 16-0 lead inside 24 minutes.

But former Wakefield and Bradford winger Semi Tadulala scored tries either side of half-time to edge the Cougars in front and they finished well in command.

Keighley centre Danny Lawton ended the game with 18 points from a try and seven goals.