Sat 13 Nov 2021
Report by Grayham Smith
A game of two halves identified this match at New Earswick with the hosts dominating from the beginning . Within twenty minutes they had marked up three tries , largely because of inept tackling and handling . The home side’s ploy was soon based upon the high ball down the right wing added to the speed of that wingman . Captain Callum Bowmer [ full back ] converted a penalty kick to 3 – 7 but that injection of hope did not improve the Halifax catalogue of errors.
What did spark an improvement after some 20 minutes was the ability “ up front “ to effectively drive , spearheaded by back rowers Ryan Hanley and Dwayne West. Needlessly giving up the ball set Halifax back but improvement had begun to show ; the problem was the sharp handling, astute kicking and “fleet of foot“ of the home three quarters.
Halifax were buoyed by a well worked try as the ball was won in the line out by Joe Bowman and driven over by Brad Allan.
The second half was not all one way but Halifax forwards began to have more of the ball; Nestle’s forwards began to be second best. The Halifax backs also improved but suffered on account of not exploiting the available outside space. Inside sharp passing was thwarted by shortage of space and the “spotting“ by the opposition.
Half way into the second half and with his impressive power, Hanley drove over from a free kick. The margin was further reduced when scrum half Mark Walton dispossessed his opponent to score followed by a fine conversion by Bowmer.
After allowing Nestle's opening superiority, it was always going to be difficult for Halifax catching up but it was heartening as the forwards gained the upper hand and reduced the deficit well.
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