REPORTS AND RESULTS
Saturday 8 December 2007 away to Westcombe Park
Westcombe Park 3 Halifax 41.
HALIFAX lifted some of the gloom that has hung over their season with an emphatic victory over a weakened Westcombe Park side in an EDF Energy National Trophy third round tie.
Halifax overcame the long journey to Kent and horrendous playing conditions that included incessant rain and a strong, swirling wind to post a morale-boosting success.
The visiting pack established an early platform and adapted to the conditions superbly to assume almost total control of a difficult tie.
Richard Brown, restored to the back of the scrum, piled over for the first score midway through the first half and although the home side reduced the arrears with a Paul Trendall penalty, Halifax were able to increase their slender lead at the break through a Joe Knowles penalty.
Prop George Jenkins replaced Jonathan McMillan at the start of the second half and within four minutes he had been driven over, Knowles adding a difficult conversion.
Halifax underlined their superiority as fly half Tom Eaton used the conditions to kick for touch at every opportunity and allowed the Halifax pack to bully their hosts into submission.
This tactic allowed Brown to be helped over for his second try, Knowles converting, before Will Kay followed the same route over the line.
Lock Matthew Harrison also benefited from his forward colleagues' dominance with Knowles adding another quality conversion.
Westcombe Park were a well-beaten side and it came as no surprise when their defence parted late on to allow scrum half Craig Aikman a free sprint to the line, Knowles completing a fine display with the conversion.
Westcombe Park: Mitchell, Davies, Purdy, Barnett, Campion, Trendell, McDonough, Weston, Sole, Denton, De Klerk, Scott, Ruben, Lewis, Lonergan. Replacements: Harris (Campion 55), Wigging (Sole 45), Cole (Denton 53), Clarke (Scott 70), Nuckey (McDonagh 65), Cootes (Barnett 53), Grigg (Purdy 65).
Halifax: Gordon, Knowles, Marns, McGee, Brear, Eaton, Aikman, Blades, Kay, McMillan. White, Harrison, Moon, Lewis, Brown. Replacements: Dillon, Townsend (Kay 62), Jenkins (McMillan 40)
Referee: Richard Kelly (RFU).
Mike Smith
Saturday 24 November 2007 away to Cambridge
Saturday 24 November. Cambridge 20 pts. Halifax 8 pts.
HALIFAX were unable to alter their position at the foot of the National Two table, but they at least had the satisfaction of giving Cambridge a real run for their money on a cold, blustery day at Grantchester Road.
Cambridge have put a number of teams to the sword on their home turf this season, but Halifax were not going to lie down so easily and full deserved their 8-0 interval lead.
Unfortunately they were not able to maintain their momentum and after having flanker Dan Solomi yellow carded early in the second period, they fell behind and were forced to chase the game resulting in a rather lopsided outcome.
Solid defending from Halifax thwarted the home side's early ambition as both sides struggled to play entertaining rugby in the tricky conditions.
Cambridge worked the early gaps through speedy full back Luke Fielden and skipper James Shanahan but found their visitors more than equal to the task.
As Cambridge began to run out of ideas, Halifax sensed an opportunity and full back Joe Knowles did not waste the chance to put the first points on the board from a long range penalty just before the half hour.
Things got better for Halifax when scrum half Craig Aikman embarked on a trademark burst and he was able to bring centre Oli Marns into play and he plunged over in the corner, Knowles's conversion drifting wide.
Halifax had everything to play for in the second half, but when Solomi was harshly carded for foul play, Cambridge sensed a comeback was a real possibility.
Winger Chris Lombaard started it with a burst into the corner, Gareth Cull adding the conversion.
Cull then added a wind-assisted penalty to edge Cambridge ahead for the first time at 10-8.
Halifax barely had time to regroup when the influential Shanahan burst through leaving Cull to add his second conversion.
Halifax now had to literally throw caution to the wind but Cambridge were able to tighten up their game then add the final points with Cull kicking a 72nd minute penalty.
Cambridge: Fielden, Kendall, Barnard, Shanahan, Lombaard, Cull, Ferrari, Ross, Hoad, Laws, Candlin, Harlock, Kolakowski, Blom, Remnant. Replacements: Naqasima (Ross, 40), Otter, Kirkman, Berridge (Candlin, 73).
Halifax: Knowles, Brear, Marns, Gordon, Mitchell, Eaton, Aikman, Blades, Jenkins, White, Harrison, Solomi, Lewis, Moon. Replacements: Dillon, Kay (Townsend 65), Maslanyk (White 70), McMillan (Jenkins, 65)
Referee: Michael Tutty (RFU).
Mike Smith
Saturday 29 September 2007 home to Southend
Saturday 29 September. Halifax 37 pts. Southend 34 pts.
Halifax secured their first win of the season, thanks to a first half hat trick of tries from scrum half Craig Aikman and the faultless goal kicking of fullback Joe Knowles. After building up a large first half lead, the home side then allowed Southend to draw level with ten minutes to go, but in time added on, Halifax finished strongly, and scored another ten points to seal a deserved win.
Two penalty goals from Knowles gave Halifax an early lead, before a fine break by fly half Tom Eaton allowed Aikman to beat the Southend defence and touch down in the corner for Knowles to add a touchline conversion. Southend then applied pressure, and after winger Andy Frost had kicked a penalty, a lineout followed by a maul saw lock Phil Bailey peel off and touch down for a converted try. With both sides eager to run the ball, play was exciting. Aikman was in superb form, and from a lineout just inside the Southend half, he picked up the ball and jinked his way through the visitors defence for an excellent converted try. Three minutes later he completed his hat trick when centre Danny McGee charged down a Southend clearance kick, picked up and fed the supporting Aikman who sped over the line. Knowles added the conversion.
Leading 27-10 at the break, Halifax started the second half conscious that four weeks earlier against Wharfedale, they allowed a similar lead to be thrown away. Surely it couldn't happen again, was the thought amongst their supporters, as they saw Southend step up a gear and score two converted tries in five minutes. First a pushover try attributed to flanker Richard Gill, then a Halifax defensive mistake, saw hooker Nick Pay have an easy run to the line, to narrow the deficit to 27-24.
Frost missed a penalty goal attempt on 59 minutes, but after the home side were penalised, made amends shortly after to level the scores. In time added on Knowles kicked his third penalty to restore Halifax's lead. Three minutes later, Halifax scored their fourth try, when winger Will Greenwood came into the line, spotted a gap and touched down for a fine try, with the reliable Knowles adding the conversion.
With the last passage of play, Southend scored their fourth try and also obtained a losing bonus point when Gill touched down for his second try, converted by Frost.
Halifax: Knowles, Hall, Marns, McGee, Greenwood, Eaton, Aikman, Blades, Kay (Townsend 53), T. McArthur (Richardson 50), White, Harrison, Skillen (Solomi 65), Lewis, Brown (Moon 50).
Scorers:
Tries: Aikman (3), Greenwood (1).
Conversions: Knowles (4).
Penalties Knowles (3)
Southend: Green, Hoult, Harvey, Soolefai, Frost, McKeith (Lewis 53), Powell, Williams, Pay, Guess (Smith 61), Bailey (Hyde 56), Rosam, Johnson, Gill, Connors.
Scorers:
Tries: Gill (2), Bailey, Pay.
Conversions: Frost (4).
Penalties: Frost (2)
Referee: Andrew Taylorson (RFU).
Touch Judges: Dave Miller & Richard Massey.
Mike Smith
Saturday 22 September 2007 home to Westcombe Park
Halifax 10 pts. Westcombe Park 27 pts.
HALIFAX'S early season woes continued after they suffered another disappointing defeat, this time at the hands of the league leaders.
And once again it was the inability to put any meaningful phases of play together, coupled with a host of handling errors and turnovers that contributed to their downfall. Too often kicks went astray while the backs were starved of quality ball and therefore found their attacking options severely limited.
The early sign had looked good when fired up fly half Tom Eaton decided to take Westcombe on himself and weaved an excellent path to the try line for full back Joe Knowles to convert in front of the posts.
However, instead of kicking on, Halifax allowed themselves to be bossed up front and a huge Park drive resulted in flanker Ian Hardcastle being driven over with stand off James Whittingham slotting the conversion.
The first half became a dour, disjointed affair with neither side showing much in the way of attacking flair.
Westcombe did manage to nudge ahead with the final act of the half, Whittingham slotting a penalty after Halifax had infringed in front of their posts.
Halifax did show some real purpose early in the half with skipper Danny McGee making a thrilling break which drew Westcombe into the foul. Knowles levelled things with another fine kick from distance.
But that was as good as it got as Halifax failed to lift their game again.
Another drive by the visitors ended with centre Tom Latu bursting through and within minutes more pressure on the home defence saw hooker Jon Moyce burrow in, Whittingham adding the conversion.
Westcombe had prop Stephan Croall carded for foul play but still Halifax could not capitalise and Westcombe wrapped things up, Hardcastle pouncing on a rare mistake by scrum half turned full back Craig Aikman to add the final try.
Halifax: Knowles (Walsh,59), Hall, Marns, McGee, Greenwood, Eaton, Aikman, Blades, Kay (Townsend,68), McArthur (Sanderson, 75), Smith (Moon, 59), White, Skillen, Lewis, Harrison.
Scorers:
Tries: Eaton.
Conversions: Knowles (1)
Penalties: Knowles (1)
Westcombe Park: Naden, Loizides, Latu, Purdy, Marshall (Lewis,71) , Whittingham, Roux, Weston (Denton, 76), Moyce, Croall, Frith, De Klerk (Taylor, 40), Hardcastle, Lonergan, Hayman.
Scorers:
Tries: Hardcastle (2), Latu, Hoyle.
Conversions: Whittingham (2)
Penalties: Whittingham (1)
Referee: Ian Robinson.
Touch Judges: Steve Bradford & Steve Halliday
Mike Smith
Saturday 15 September 2007 away to Blaydon
Blaydon 43 pts. Halifax 28 pts.
Halifax lost this match in the first half when they conceded four first half tries to trail 26-9 at the break, but a second half revival which saw them reduce the deficit to five points could not be sustained, and the home side went on to win comfortably.
An opening penalty goal by fullback Joe Knowles gave Halifax an early lead but Blaydon were allowed to settle, and scored two identical tries when winger Andy Fenby and No. 8 Pete Altona were allowed to touch down after the Halifax defence was stretched. Knowles kicked a second penalty, but more pressure by the home side brought their third try when prop Isaacson broke tackles to power over. Fly half Dan Kyle kicked his second conversion to take his side into a 19-6 lead. Three minutes later, after another bout of missed tackles, centre Martin Shaw scored his sides fourth try, which Kyle converted. Good work by centres McGee and Endersby at last took Halifax out of defence, and enabled Knowles to kick his third penalty of the half.
Halifax were held up four times on the Blaydon line at the start of the second half. Good defence by the home side eventually crumbled when Halifax flanker Matt Harrison was driven over for an unconverted try.
This score gave Halifax the confidence they had sought, and four minutes later McGee scored a fine try which Knowles converted. It was all Halifax at this stage of the game, but they could not break down a resolute Blaydon defence, and against the run of play, the home side turned defence into attack, which needed a try saving tackle by Knowles on winger Fenby. Blaydon remained on the offensive and after being held up on the Halifax line, prop Isaacson scored his second try.
Inspired by scrum half Craig Aikman, Halifax tried hard to regain their momentum, and when the Blaydon No.8 Altona was sin binned with ten minutes of normal time remaining, Halifax must have thought they had a chance.
Events proved otherwise. Blaydon's 14 men worked hard to repel any threat Halifax could offer, and when Altona returned, in time added on, they took advantage of Halifax throwing caution to the wind by scoring 12 points in two minutes through a converted try by James Kyle and a second try by Fenby.
In the final minute, Halifax added some respectability to the score, when Harrison scored his second try converted by Knowles.
Blaydon team: Smith, Hamer (Johnston 48), M. Shaw, Manuel, Fenby, D. Kyle, D. Shaw (J. Kyle 48), Clarke, Hall, Isaacson (Winter 61), Guthrie (Brown 37), Clark, St. Bernard, Chisholm, Altona.
Scorers:
Tries: Fenby (2), Altona, Isaacson (2), Shaw, J. Kyle.
Conv: D. Kyle (4).
Yellow card: Altona (infringement).
Halifax team: Knowles, Mitchell (Solomi 17), Endersby, McGee, Marns, Eaton, Aikman (Walsh 63), Blades, Kay, McArthur (Richardson 64), Smith, White, Harrison, Lewis, Brown (Townsend 63).
Scorers:
Tries: Harrison (2), McGee.
Conv: Knowles (2)
Pens: Knowles (3)
Referee: T. Hall (RFU).
Touch judges: F. Gill and B. Callendar
Mike Smith
Saturday 1 September 2007 home to Wharfedale
Halifax 27 pts. Wharfedale 30 pts.
After Halifax had led 27-6 at the break, Wharfedale stormed back in the second half and in the sixth minute of time added on scored their fourth try to win an exciting game which gave them a deserved win.
With seven new players in their side, Halifax settled quickly. A penalty from fullback Joe Knowles opened the scoring but Wharfedale’s Mark Bedworth cancelled this out and added a second penalty after nine minutes to give his side the lead. Both sides were keen to run the ball, with the home side looking more dangerous, and their efforts were rewarded when a sparkling move from midfield saw centre Endersby off load to the supporting Hall who touched down for a converted try. Minutes later, Knowles added his second penalty. A second Halifax try saw flanker Gareth Lewis put over, courtesy of a slick pass from fly half Tom Eaton. Knowles kicked his second conversion and with the score at 20-6, Halifax were in command. The Greens fought back, with a period of pressure on the Halifax line, but another mistake saw winger Hall run the length of the field to outpace the Wharfedale defence to touch down for a converted try.
With a commanding lead at half time, Halifax sat back and aided by the sin binning of their No.8 Richard Brown, allowed Wharfedale to score 12 points in five minutes. The lighter Halifax pack came under intense pressure, which led to Rob Baldwin being driven over for an unconverted try. Baldwin then broke from a scrum to score a converted try, which took the score to 27-18.
Wharfedale, with their tales up continued to starve Halifax of possession, although the home defence was magnificent under pressure. With four minutes of normal time remaining, the Greens got the try they had strived for, when at last their backs got their act together to enable fullback Andy Hodgson to crash over for an unconverted try. Trailing by four points in time added on, the Greens threw everything into attack, and finally scored the match winning try when winger Neil Baggett touched down. With the last kick of the match Bedworth added the conversion.
Halifax: Knowles, Hall, Endersby, McGee, Mitchell, Eaton, Aikman (Walsh 71), Blades, Kay, T. McArthur (J. McArthur 73) White, Harrison, Skillen (Smith 68), Lewis, Brown.
Did Not play: Townsend.
YC: Brown 47 minutes. Professional Foul.
Scorers:
Tries: Hall (2), Lewis.
Conv: Knowles (3).
Pens: Knowles (2)
Kicking Success rate: Knowles 5/6. 83.3%
Wharfedale: Hodgson, N. Baggett, Malherbe, Bedworth, Hutchinson (Hart 60), A. Baggett, Doherty, Horner (Peel 49), Hindle, Steele (Dickinson 60), Lister, Capstick, Muckalt, O’Neill (Clements 42), Baldwin.
Scorers:
Tries: Baldwin (2), Hodgson, Neil Baggett.
Conv: Bedworth (2).
Pens: Bedworth (2).
Kicking Success rate: Bedworth 4/8. 50.0%
Referee: A. Taylorson (RFU).
Touch Judges: Steve Halliday & Nigel Fallon.
Mike Smith
FIRST XV MATCH COMMENTS
We nearly did it, and we should have done so.
A splendid first half, which gave us a 27-6 lead at the break, was well deserved and we looked odds on to win our opening game.
It was not to be.
In the end, helped by Richard Brown’s Yellow Card, which led directly to 12 points being conceded in 5 minutes and which proved decisive at the end of the day, gave Wharfedale a win they scarcely deserved. In the second half they starved us of possession and at the end, albeit with six injury time minutes played, perhaps they just about deserved their win.
However, in the cold light of the morning after the day before, we have a lot to be proud of, and a lot we can build upon.
Those opening 40 minutes showed what we are capable of. Good open rugby, with the backs splendidly led by Craig Aikman and Tom Eaton opened up a vastly experienced Wharfedale threequarter line.
Tom who was suffering with a heavy cold, was magnificent, but all the backs with Joe, David, James, Danny and Ben in good form really showed what they are capable of.
Equally the first half performance of the pack was also good to watch. Granted there were too many turnovers but the pack held their own, and the experience of Richard White and Matt Harrison at lock plus the gain line runs of Richard Brown were pleasing to see.
We shall learn from the experience, and with the addition of more experience plus weight in the pack, this performance augurs well for the future.
Obviously we need to do it for 80 minutes not just 40, but the signs are there that we shall be successful. Let’s hope so, because all the players and the coaching staff have worked hard during the close season. It has not been easy but hard work deserves reward, and yesterday it didn’t happen.
Finally a word of praise for Joe Knowles whose goal kicking was excellent. It certainly makes a difference when your kicks at goal are successful. Joe only missed one penalty goal attempt, (probably the easiest of the afternoon), but 5/6 attempts speaks volumes for the quality of his kicking. Let’s hope that continues throughout the season.
Mike Smith