Halifax 36-10 York: Panthers go third after big win
Halifax Panthers have gone into third place in the Championship after a big win over fourth-placed York at The Shay.
That result means York, who have now lost back-to-back matches, have now dropped to fifth in the Championship table.
Halifax made two changes coming into the game, after their win at Dewsbury. Joe Martin and Zack McComb all came out of the side. Replacing them were James Woodburn-Hall and James Saltonstall both came in to replace them.
Meanwhile, York made three changes to the side beaten by Barrow. Matty Marsh, Will Oakes and Ronan Dixon all came out of the side. Returning to the team were AJ Towse, Danny Kirmond and Myles Harrison.
Match Report
Halifax took the lead after 12 minutes. Lachlan Walmsley got the ball out wide, and was able to step around Joe Brown and go over for the try. Joe Keyes added the conversion from out wide for a six-point lead.
Just four minutes later, the hosts doubled their lead. Matty Gee was put through a gap by Louis Jouffret, and then passed inside for Dan Murray to score by the posts. Keyes added the conversion for a 12-point lead.
The Panthers increased their lead just before the 25-minute mark. James Woodburn-Hall intercepted a kick from Brendan O’Hagan and ran 90 metres up the pitch, before giving the ball to Ben Tibbs for the try. Keyes maintained his perfect record with the boot.
Just a few minutes later, York were able to hit back. O’Hagan aimed a grubber kick behind the Halifax defence, and Chris Clarkson got there first to score. Jamie Ellis was unable to add the conversion, meaning they still trailed by 14 points.
This brought York into life, and they piled the pressure onto the Halifax line, forcing six straight sets. O’Hagan then threw a booming pass out wide for Brown, who seemed destined for a try, but Walmsley came up with a brilliant tackle to not only stop him, but to also force him into touch.
HT- Halifax 18-4 York
York missed a great chance a couple of minutes into the second half. Pauli Pauli powered his way towards the line, but the referee adjudged he had lost the ball in the act of scoring.
It was Halifax who got the first try of the second half just before the hour mark. The Knights failed to deal with the high ball, and Keyes picked up and went over for the try. He was then able to convert his own try.
If there was any doubt about the result beforehand, Halifax put those to bed with just over 10 minutes to go. After Woodburn-Hall was stopped short, Jouffret went from dummy half and scored. Keyes kicked yet another conversion.
However, there was time for the Knights to grab a consolation effort. Will Jubb was able to get over from dummy half with six minutes to go. Liam Harris kicked the conversion to get York into double figures.
But, the final word would go to the Panthers. Keyes slotted over a penalty after York were punished for a ball steal.
There was even time for a final try for Halifax. Ed Barber got the ball to Walmsley, who was able to run in and score in the corner. Keyes could not convert this time.
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FT- Halifax 36-10 York
Team News
Halifax: Woodburn-Hall, Walmsley, Arundel, Tibbs, Saltonstall, Jouffret, Keyes, Calcott, Moore, Murray, Kavanagh, Gee, Tangata. Subs: Wood, Fairbank, Larroyer, Barber.
Tries: Walmsley (2), Murray, Tibbs, Keyes, Jouffret
Goals: Keyes 6/7
York: Harris, Brown, Glover, Edwards, Towse, O’Hagan, Ellis, Pauli, Jubb, Matongo, Kirmond, Clarkson, Thompson. Subs: Teanby, Michael, Antrobus, Harrison.
Tries: Clarkson, Jubb
Goals: Ellis 0/1, Harris 1/1
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