Sat 4 Nov 2023
Report by A Brown
On Saturday last, a very miserable cold day led to Halifax RUFC 1st XV warming up their league campaign, showing their ruthless side in a convincing six-try bonus point victory over their Sheffield Medicals opponents.
For the first time this season, Halifax displayed a controlled aggressive yet disciplined performance that could have been so much more had the ball not resembled a bar of soap. It was clear that this could well have been a game that Halifax let slip.
The match was ultimately defined by persistently heavy rain with the front row of Glen Bear Warne, Danny Sully Sullivan and Willy Woody Woodhead, able to showcase some classic Halifax grit to grind the students down.
Having conceded a penalty early on, the soggy supporters on the side of the pitch made their feelings known to anyone willing to listen. The new aggression that was bubbling away may have backfired on the home team after all.
But Halifax, three points down, attacking left to right, took the game to the students, the Halifax faithful were soon cheering in a much more positive fashion when a grubber kick-through by Calum Bacon, was grabbed by Jason Dodd to touch down, the score was 7 – 3 with the conversation by Bacon successful.
The game was soon looking very promising from a Halifax point of view. The boys in blue finally took the game’s impetus with an eye-catching try from a set piece. The lineout that followed the kickoff was soon gathered by Hooker Woodhead to bring the score to 12 - 3. Unfortunately, Bacon's kick was unsuccessful and the score remained.
As the rain continued to pour, the game was definitely not one for to stay in the memories of the ever-vocal support, both teams decided that the next twenty minutes was to be a display of how not to play rugby, With the heavy downpour taking its toll, the next scoring chance wasn’t until the 26th minute when Halifax were caught offside at a ruck in their own 22. The resulting penalty brought the score to 12 – 6
As the first half was drawing to a close, following a period of pressure from Sheffield Medics, Halifax went on the attack once again. Having decided synchronised swimming was best left alone, they found their rugby boots once again, a sweeping move, lead from the front by Captain Jack Fairbank, with Jason Dodd at full-back, his younger brother James on the wing, a line out won by Craig Simm, with Dodd Senior joining the line, Clough was ready to pounce The second of two sets of brothers on the pitch Ben Maddison decided to run to the right supported by his brother Alex, Dodd Junior who took the ball following contact with the Medics winger, passed the ball that seemed to land effortlessly in Cloughs hands who ran in unopposed. A brilliant move that new coach Dwayne West had been saving for himself when he next gets his boots on.
So with the score now at 17 – 6, Halifax headed into the halftime break with their heads held... Again, buoyed by the support at Ovenden Park, there was definitely a positive vibe at the club. Something that even the hardest of diehard supporters would struggle to deny was back.
The second half was started with a kick-off to Halifax who were being pushed to to start as they finished the first half, positive and moving forward, both backs and forwards moving the ball swiftly and the forwards especially dominating in the set piece.
The Halifax pressure soon told and a pushover try by Nick Lodge was the result of some fine play in the tight. As the saying goes, forwards win games but backs decide by how much was very much true in this game. The forwards were starting to show their dominance, not only in strength but also in skill and fitness, new forwards coach Clough was definitely having the desired effect on what would have been inevitable tired legs last season. The introduction of Kayne Broadbent was made to maintain the emphasis on total dominance in the scrum. With Craig Simm and Luke Dyson in the engine room, the scrum was not going backwards any time soon. The score was 22-6.
With the return of Elliot Ranchy Mercer having been made unavailable due to an emergency hair transplant, and Craig Simm having recovered from a poorly knee, the pack was moving forward. A scrum from a dropped ball resulted in Jason Dodd showing his brother what he could do in return. Charlesworth at outside centre gathered the ball up from a kick through, and made the break down the left-hand side, for Dodd being ready willing and able to pounce.
The game was by no means kind to the wingers, having stood waiting for the call for the best part of an hour, Jason Dodd wanted to be part of the action. Having taken the ball from Charlesworth, he managed to evade three tackles and score himself in the right corner. The score was maintained at 29 – 6 with the conversion by Bacon missed.
The game was restarted, and having missed a few clearance kicks, the game was back on the Medical Students' side, they prodded and poked, something they will get used to in their careers, and finally broke their duck, a kick forward went through a couple of pairs of legs, the fairy liquid like the consistency of the ball made the clearance impossible and the ball was pounced on to take the score 29 – 13 following a successful conversation.
As the weather became colder and wetter, the opportunities for further scores were somewhat scarce, as the game was heading towards a messy finish as knock-on followed knock-on. It was Halifax who ended on a high. Having been awarded a scrum, number eight Dion Groombridge broke from the base to allow winger Clough over for the final score of the match, an incredibly lucky kick from nearly the touchline was converted by Bacon, to leave the final score 36 – 13.
Six tries were enough to keep the five points at Ovenden Park, following a tough battle, the Medical Students didn’t seem to appreciate the weather, while the battle-ready Halifax were a much more prepared and hungry team, who wanted the game more.
Following a very turbulent start to the season with a change of head coach, the Halifax players will be eager to show that they are indeed one family, and as players are now returning from injury, the season seems to be finally getting going with head coach Dwayne West and his team stamping their aggressive but disciplined style on the squad., By no means a classic, if this game is anything to go by, then Halifax will be pushing for promotion before too long.
The next game is away to Skipton, another mid-table clash, and one that again will be tough for Halifax, but with the return to form of several players and the long-awaited return of tight head prop Alistair Irish Brown, there is no reason why another five-pointer is not available.
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