Mission impossible for Fax?

The 20-4 Shay defeat leaves them two points adrift of Rovers with a vastly inferior points difference and with two games left for each club.

Karl Harrison’s men must surely win at Doncaster in 13 days’ time and then at home to rock bottom Barrow a week later to have a chance of the £450,000 second place cheque.

They would then also need a favour from Featherstone’s last two opponents, Sheffield at Post Office Road on Sunday week and then Keighley away.

Even if Rovers were to lose one of their remaining games, a defeat by fewer than 13 points would earn them a losing bonus and keep them above Fax.

A trip to the Keepmoat Stadium to face Paul Cooke’s fourth placed Doncaster is a difficult proposition for Fax.

They did secure a convincing win against the South Yorkshire side in the first meeting and for the majority of last Sunday’s game Halifax’s defence held strong.

It was in the area of attacking ingenuity in which they were found wanting against Featherstone but they crossed the whitewash on nine occasions against Donny first time around.

Sheffield have caused Featherstone difficulties on numerous occasions in recent years. They have players capable of destroying teams on their own when in the right frame of mind.

Keighley have caused problems for leaders Leigh at home and are fighting for a play-off place and to avoid relegation.

They could be capable of an upset but all in all you would get long odds about Fax snatching the runners-up berth from their Sunday conquerors.