I've been very impressed with Featherstone Rovers this season.
The Yorkshire club who just squeezed into the top six last year and went within a game of a Grand Final appearance have been excellent in 2010.
They lost just two games in their league campaign (to Toulouse and Sheffield Eagles respectively) and can boast some of the Championship's top players.
Their domination of the competition was evident on Thursday night when they hosted Halifax.
In April, Rovers had bashed Matt Calland's men 44-4 but everyone expected a close game after Fax roared through the last few weeks and put a good winning run together.
Halifax even grabbed the first try when quick thinking from Sean Penkywicz saw the hooker surge to the try line off a tap penalty.
It was Rovers however that struck back quickly to level through Stuart Dickens when the prop went through a hole in the middle of the defence.
Kyle Briggs, who went on to enjoy an excellent game, struck the first of seven goals and two tries in three minutes from Liam Welham and the impressive Tommy Saxton quickly made it 16-6 to Rovers.
A smart pass from veteran Graham Holroyd found Shad Royston and the fullback was able to notch his now customary try. The Championship's top goal kicker Lee Paterson converted but Rovers claimed their fourth try just after the half hour mark when Dane Manning got in.
Halifax again replied when a sweeping move right saw Royston push into the line to create the extra man and Rob Worrincy went over in the corner. Patterson's conversion made it 22-16 and that looked set to be the half-time score before Briggs took the line on and got between two forwards. He then goaled to make it 28-16 at the break.
Fax were faced with a simple equation - score first. They didn't, or should that read couldn't. Featherstone's defence reigned supreme and eventually their attack took advantage.
For twenty minutes Halifax battered at the Featherstone line but time and again it stood firm.
Rovers spied their chance and Irish international Liam Finn showed a good turn of pace to race through from twenty metres. At 34-16 it was game over and Briggs then stepped up to rub further salt in the wounds with two tries that saw him finish with a hat-trick and a personal tally of 26 points from the game.
It will take a good team to stop Rovers from lifting the trophy at Warrington on 26th September.
I'm looking forward to seeing that game.
Showing posts with label Halifax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Halifax. Show all posts
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Thursday, 8 April 2010
RL Comment - Keighley prove they are no mugs in Championship
Apologies for not adding any blogs for a few days, with travel from France, limited availability of internet and then a health problem to contend with I haven't had chance to comment much on the RL scene until now.
Tonight's Championship game deserved a better score than the eventual 40-20 win for Halifax. For me Keighley Cougars were much closer than that and had the games outstanding player in former Fax junior Danny Jones. Not only did he continue his consecutive point scoring run to 40 games, he was also at the hub of everything for the visitors and was desperately unlucky to end on the losing side.
Keighley took the lead through Jon Presley before James Haley and the boot of Lee Paterson put Fax in front. Although Jones levelled matters for Keighley with a penalty, a two try scoring burst from the hosts saw Stanley Gene and Rob Worrincy.
Leading 16-6 at half-time Fax looked to take advantage of a mistake by Keighley from the kick-off, however it was the Cougars and Tom Burton that scored next. Sean Penkywicz then went in for the hosts before former Halifax prop Andy Shickell touched down an astute Jones kick to close the gap to 22-16.
This seemed to spark Halifax and it was the hosts that scored the next three tries through Dylan Nash, Steve Bannister and Paterson, who finished a length of the field move and also added six goals. Keighley did have the last word however when Jones spun a pass to James Haythornthwaite and the teenager cleverly avoided a tackle to twist over in the final minute.
Over the Easter period, Keighley have come alive in the Championship. After starting the league season with minus nine points and a big loss to Widnes, they have steadily got better and after earning a credible draw with Sheffield on Good Friday, things got better on Easter Monday with a 42-10 defeat of fellow promoted team Dewsbury Rams. When you take these two results and the Halifax game into consideration when the Cougars really did deserve a bonus point for their tenacity in defeat, it suggests that the previous thought of Keighley returning to Championship One may not happen if they can continue with these types of performances.
Halifax still don't look like the team they were. After losing to Hunslet in the Northern Rail Cup they conceded 40 point defeats to Leigh and Featherstone, they put 50 on Toulouse and then laboured to this win. I don't know quite what is going on at the Shay but they will have to get their FAX right soon!
Tonight's Championship game deserved a better score than the eventual 40-20 win for Halifax. For me Keighley Cougars were much closer than that and had the games outstanding player in former Fax junior Danny Jones. Not only did he continue his consecutive point scoring run to 40 games, he was also at the hub of everything for the visitors and was desperately unlucky to end on the losing side.
Keighley took the lead through Jon Presley before James Haley and the boot of Lee Paterson put Fax in front. Although Jones levelled matters for Keighley with a penalty, a two try scoring burst from the hosts saw Stanley Gene and Rob Worrincy.
Leading 16-6 at half-time Fax looked to take advantage of a mistake by Keighley from the kick-off, however it was the Cougars and Tom Burton that scored next. Sean Penkywicz then went in for the hosts before former Halifax prop Andy Shickell touched down an astute Jones kick to close the gap to 22-16.
This seemed to spark Halifax and it was the hosts that scored the next three tries through Dylan Nash, Steve Bannister and Paterson, who finished a length of the field move and also added six goals. Keighley did have the last word however when Jones spun a pass to James Haythornthwaite and the teenager cleverly avoided a tackle to twist over in the final minute.
Over the Easter period, Keighley have come alive in the Championship. After starting the league season with minus nine points and a big loss to Widnes, they have steadily got better and after earning a credible draw with Sheffield on Good Friday, things got better on Easter Monday with a 42-10 defeat of fellow promoted team Dewsbury Rams. When you take these two results and the Halifax game into consideration when the Cougars really did deserve a bonus point for their tenacity in defeat, it suggests that the previous thought of Keighley returning to Championship One may not happen if they can continue with these types of performances.
Halifax still don't look like the team they were. After losing to Hunslet in the Northern Rail Cup they conceded 40 point defeats to Leigh and Featherstone, they put 50 on Toulouse and then laboured to this win. I don't know quite what is going on at the Shay but they will have to get their FAX right soon!
Friday, 19 March 2010
Championship Match report - Widnes v Halifax
WIDNES VIKINGS 28
HALIFAX 30
By Dave Parkinson.
Two unbeaten starts to the Championship season went head to head at the Stobart Stadium and at the end of eighty minutes it was the Vikings previously unblemished record in all competitions that went west. In truth it was a scrappy encounter between two of the top three sides in the formulative table and ultimately the bigger error count of the Vikings stopped them from repeating last season's success over Halifax.
Wearing a specially commissioned kit to help raise awareness for the "Everyman" charity, the Vikings started strongly in the televised Championship game when Thomas Coyle, in for tonsilitis affected skipper Mark Smith surged over from dummy half after a couple of strong runs from Matt Gardner and Shane Grady.
Grady, scorer of 100 points in his first seven games of 2010, added the goal and the Vikings dominated the first quarter without registering a further score.
A rising error count and regular penalties stopped the game from flowing although in defence of both teams they continued to fly at each other with some committed defence, while experimenting with their attack. One such tackle on Dave Allen after 21 minutes forced an error and from that possession and a further penalty Halifax were on the Widnes line threatening.
As the ball came right influential halfback Luke Branighan passed for Lee Paterson and his quick hands gave Rob Worrincy the chance to turn inside and beat five Widnes players to the try line for his 7th try of a productive season so far. Paterson levelled the game and this seemed to spur the visitors on. Halifax introduced Mark Gleeson to the game and the former Warrington man added an element of control and purpose.
In spite of this, a couple of Fax mistakes helped heap pressure on them and their defence looked set to crack before a wild pass from Coyle dipped and bobbled in front of James Webster and then evaded the clutches of Allen. Spying the opportunity of an intercept former Salford and Wakefield man Paul White moved on the loose ball and showed blistering pace over the first forty metres before holding off the spirited chase of Paddy Flynn and fullback Scott Yates.
Halifax finally started to roll forward as a unit and after the initial work of starting props Makali Aizue and Dominic Maloney, Frank Watene and particularly Said Tamghart made more than a nuisance of themselves.
A penalty put Halifax in prime territory and they didn't need a second invite when that man Branighan went to the line before a superb short pass brought Paterson his second try of the season and a further goal. Ben Black's towering punt caught Yates out and Dave Wrench followed up to score, but te try was disallowed for offside by the video referee while at the other end, Flynn suffered the same fate after taking an attacking kick and forcing his way over the line only for part of his body to go touch in goal before the grounding.
Spurred on, Widnes enjoyed the better of the closing minutes and registered their second try just before the hooter when Anthony Thackeray kicked high and wide from dummy half. White spilled under pressure of Flynn and Lee Doran grounded the bouncing ball to make it 16-10. Grady struck a near perfect conversion attempt that looked like it would creep over before striking the crossbarl.
The first ten minutes of the second half belonged to Halifax and Paterson increased their advantage with a penalty goal. Widnes were fortunate it wasn't more as White surged downfield only to be brought down by Yates and then a Branighan kick found an onrushing Tamghart who ran away from his supporting players.
Twelve minutes into the second half Widnes targetted the middle of the Halifax defence and on the third occasion it cracked when Thackeray's inside pass found Coyle between defenders and he surged between the posts amid bodies to score. The conversion closed the gap to two points before Halifax demonstrated their attacking play only for White to be denied by the video referee after Black had run behind a decoy.
The next eight minutes were even more scrappy and it looked like neither side wanted to take control before Thackeray ran from dummy half, sent Doran striding through a huge hole and the impressive Liam Farrell tracked up the middle to score under the posts. Grady's conversion ensured the Vikings held a 22-18 advantage after 62 minutes although the 20 year old centre could only look on as first Halifax tackled back to put Matt Gardner into touch after quick play down the left before a 30 metre penalty attempt struck the post and bounced out.
Halifax cleared their lines and then struck for a fourth try after 72 minutes when Branighan kicked right for Widnes to fumble. Eighteen year old substitute Anthony Bowman collected the loose ball and cleverly passed between two men for fullback Shad Royston to continue his prolific start to the season and ground his 9th try. With Paterson off the field, Branighan took on goal-kicking duties and converted for a narrow advantage.
The winning try came four minutes from time when Fax pushed close to the line and Branighan threaded a grubber kick behind the posts for Sean Penkywicz to pounce ahead of a couple of Vikings players. Branighan converted to make it 30-22 and time was against the Vikings. Buoyed by their recent late success over Barrow, Widnes took up the challenge and scored on the right through Richard Varkulis. The centre crossed for his 4th try of the season after excellent work from Wigan loan-man Ben Davies. Grady converted from the touchline in double quick time and the Vikings pushed down both wings before Flynn kicked ahead as the hooter sounded and Royston calmly took the ball into touch to confirm a 30-28 victory for the visitors.
Teams:
Widnes: Scott Yates, Paddy Flynn, Richard Varkulis, Shane Grady, Matt Gardner; Anthony Thackeray, James Webster; Gareth Haggerty, Thomas Coyle, Jim Gannon, Liam Farrell, Lee Doran, Dave Allen. Subs: Ben Kavanagh, Matt Strong, Ben Davies, Dave Houghton.
Tries: Coyle (4, 52), Doran (39), Farrell (62), Varkulis (79).
Goals: Grady 4/6.
Halifax: Shad Royston, Rob Worrincy, Jon Goddard, Lee Paterson, Paul White; Luke Branighan, Ben Black, Makali Aizue, Sean Penkywicz, Dominic Maloney, David Larder, Dave Wrench, Stanley Gene. Subs: Mark Gleeson, Anthony Bowman, Said Tamghart, Frank Watene.
Tries: Worrincy (23), White (29), Paterson (33), Royston (72), Penkywicz (76).
Goals: Paterson 3/4, Branighan 2/2.
Referee: Rob Hicks
Penalties: 10-10.
Attendance: 3,286.
HALIFAX 30
By Dave Parkinson.
Two unbeaten starts to the Championship season went head to head at the Stobart Stadium and at the end of eighty minutes it was the Vikings previously unblemished record in all competitions that went west. In truth it was a scrappy encounter between two of the top three sides in the formulative table and ultimately the bigger error count of the Vikings stopped them from repeating last season's success over Halifax.
Wearing a specially commissioned kit to help raise awareness for the "Everyman" charity, the Vikings started strongly in the televised Championship game when Thomas Coyle, in for tonsilitis affected skipper Mark Smith surged over from dummy half after a couple of strong runs from Matt Gardner and Shane Grady.
Grady, scorer of 100 points in his first seven games of 2010, added the goal and the Vikings dominated the first quarter without registering a further score.
A rising error count and regular penalties stopped the game from flowing although in defence of both teams they continued to fly at each other with some committed defence, while experimenting with their attack. One such tackle on Dave Allen after 21 minutes forced an error and from that possession and a further penalty Halifax were on the Widnes line threatening.
As the ball came right influential halfback Luke Branighan passed for Lee Paterson and his quick hands gave Rob Worrincy the chance to turn inside and beat five Widnes players to the try line for his 7th try of a productive season so far. Paterson levelled the game and this seemed to spur the visitors on. Halifax introduced Mark Gleeson to the game and the former Warrington man added an element of control and purpose.
In spite of this, a couple of Fax mistakes helped heap pressure on them and their defence looked set to crack before a wild pass from Coyle dipped and bobbled in front of James Webster and then evaded the clutches of Allen. Spying the opportunity of an intercept former Salford and Wakefield man Paul White moved on the loose ball and showed blistering pace over the first forty metres before holding off the spirited chase of Paddy Flynn and fullback Scott Yates.
Halifax finally started to roll forward as a unit and after the initial work of starting props Makali Aizue and Dominic Maloney, Frank Watene and particularly Said Tamghart made more than a nuisance of themselves.
A penalty put Halifax in prime territory and they didn't need a second invite when that man Branighan went to the line before a superb short pass brought Paterson his second try of the season and a further goal. Ben Black's towering punt caught Yates out and Dave Wrench followed up to score, but te try was disallowed for offside by the video referee while at the other end, Flynn suffered the same fate after taking an attacking kick and forcing his way over the line only for part of his body to go touch in goal before the grounding.
Spurred on, Widnes enjoyed the better of the closing minutes and registered their second try just before the hooter when Anthony Thackeray kicked high and wide from dummy half. White spilled under pressure of Flynn and Lee Doran grounded the bouncing ball to make it 16-10. Grady struck a near perfect conversion attempt that looked like it would creep over before striking the crossbarl.
The first ten minutes of the second half belonged to Halifax and Paterson increased their advantage with a penalty goal. Widnes were fortunate it wasn't more as White surged downfield only to be brought down by Yates and then a Branighan kick found an onrushing Tamghart who ran away from his supporting players.
Twelve minutes into the second half Widnes targetted the middle of the Halifax defence and on the third occasion it cracked when Thackeray's inside pass found Coyle between defenders and he surged between the posts amid bodies to score. The conversion closed the gap to two points before Halifax demonstrated their attacking play only for White to be denied by the video referee after Black had run behind a decoy.
The next eight minutes were even more scrappy and it looked like neither side wanted to take control before Thackeray ran from dummy half, sent Doran striding through a huge hole and the impressive Liam Farrell tracked up the middle to score under the posts. Grady's conversion ensured the Vikings held a 22-18 advantage after 62 minutes although the 20 year old centre could only look on as first Halifax tackled back to put Matt Gardner into touch after quick play down the left before a 30 metre penalty attempt struck the post and bounced out.
Halifax cleared their lines and then struck for a fourth try after 72 minutes when Branighan kicked right for Widnes to fumble. Eighteen year old substitute Anthony Bowman collected the loose ball and cleverly passed between two men for fullback Shad Royston to continue his prolific start to the season and ground his 9th try. With Paterson off the field, Branighan took on goal-kicking duties and converted for a narrow advantage.
The winning try came four minutes from time when Fax pushed close to the line and Branighan threaded a grubber kick behind the posts for Sean Penkywicz to pounce ahead of a couple of Vikings players. Branighan converted to make it 30-22 and time was against the Vikings. Buoyed by their recent late success over Barrow, Widnes took up the challenge and scored on the right through Richard Varkulis. The centre crossed for his 4th try of the season after excellent work from Wigan loan-man Ben Davies. Grady converted from the touchline in double quick time and the Vikings pushed down both wings before Flynn kicked ahead as the hooter sounded and Royston calmly took the ball into touch to confirm a 30-28 victory for the visitors.
Teams:
Widnes: Scott Yates, Paddy Flynn, Richard Varkulis, Shane Grady, Matt Gardner; Anthony Thackeray, James Webster; Gareth Haggerty, Thomas Coyle, Jim Gannon, Liam Farrell, Lee Doran, Dave Allen. Subs: Ben Kavanagh, Matt Strong, Ben Davies, Dave Houghton.
Tries: Coyle (4, 52), Doran (39), Farrell (62), Varkulis (79).
Goals: Grady 4/6.
Halifax: Shad Royston, Rob Worrincy, Jon Goddard, Lee Paterson, Paul White; Luke Branighan, Ben Black, Makali Aizue, Sean Penkywicz, Dominic Maloney, David Larder, Dave Wrench, Stanley Gene. Subs: Mark Gleeson, Anthony Bowman, Said Tamghart, Frank Watene.
Tries: Worrincy (23), White (29), Paterson (33), Royston (72), Penkywicz (76).
Goals: Paterson 3/4, Branighan 2/2.
Referee: Rob Hicks
Penalties: 10-10.
Attendance: 3,286.
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Championship Report - Batley v Halifax
BATLEY BULLDOGS 24
HALIFAX 34
This game often produces lots of points and tonight was no exception as Halifax ran up a big lead before a thrilling comeback from Batley won the Bulldogs what could prove to be a valuable bonus point.
The Bulldogs made the better start and opened scoring after four minutes when a deft kick from Scotland international halfback Gareth Moore found Ian Preece and he showed good strength to wrestle past James Haley and Shad Royston for the try. Moore converted to put Batley 6-0 up.
An unlucky call against Bulldogs winger Lee Greenwood resulted in possession for Fax from a scrum and after having little luck in stretching the defence, the visitors played it tight with Sean Penkywicz putting a short pass onto Dominic Maloney for the 23 year old prop to score. Paterson kicked the first of five goals and it was all level - 6-6.
Jon Goddard saw a try disallowed while Makali Aizue was held up. At this stage Halifax took a stranglehold on possession, aided by a 4-0 penalty count from the whistle of referee Ron Laughton. Four consecutive sets followed before another short ball from Penkywicz saw Maloney through for number two.
Batley only won their first penalty after 18 minutes but the Bulldogs couldn't take advantage when a dipping pass from Chris Buttery was knocked on by support.
Five minutes later, the visitors grabbed their second try when Ben Black passed left and a late change of direction from David Wrench took him past a couple of tacklers and over the try line.
The Bulldogs poured forward after half an our but James Martin couldn't hold onto the ball and the opportunity was lost. After defending their line, Batley won a penalty but Gareth Moore didn't find touch and within a minute former Gateshead halfback Luke Branighan dummied and forced his way over the line.
Minutes later, Batley again received a penalty in their own half and Paul Handforth missed touch. Halifax moved downfield and scored their fifth try when Royston evaded Danny Maun's tackle to cross. On the stroke of half-time Paterson struck a penalty from distance and Halifax looked out of sight at 30-6.
Three minutes into the new half, Fax surged upfield again for Branighan to make the line a second time. Paterson missed the conversion but at 34-6 it looked like game over. That is what Halifax seemed to think too.
Grabbing inspiration and spirit from somewhere, and aided by a turnaround in penalties, Batley began to offer a challenge. First big Sean Hesketh made inroads then former Salford and Leeds forward Jason Walton was prevented from scoring before alert play from dummy half led to Ash Lindsay pinching a try.
As penalties continued to be blown, Fax lost Wrench to the sinbin on 59 minutes and Batley snapped into action despite losing Handforth to injury.
Kyle Wood dinked a kick to his left and Preece was close to kicking on before Rob Worrincy tracked back to concede a drop out in the 66th minute. A minute later Kris Lythe's run set the position and Johnny Campbell grounded at the second time of asking despite best efforts of Goddard. Moore goaled quickly and was then on target 65 seconds later when Lindsay and Lythe went down the middle before Lindsay took the ball right and Campbell dashed in for his 11th try of the season. Moore added his 4th goal and despite some more attack from both teams there was no further scoring.
Halifax were able to breathe a sigh of relief at the end while Batley wondered what could have been but for a loose and mistake ridden opening.
BATLEY: Tries: Preece (4), Lindsay (50), Campbell 2 (67, 69). Goals: Moore 4/4.
HALIFAX: Tries: Maloney 2 (9, 15), Wrench (23), Branighan 2 (32, 43), Royston (38). Goals: Paterson 5/7.
Referee: Ron Laughton .
Penalties: Batley 17 Halifax 9.
Attendance: 837.
HALIFAX 34
This game often produces lots of points and tonight was no exception as Halifax ran up a big lead before a thrilling comeback from Batley won the Bulldogs what could prove to be a valuable bonus point.
The Bulldogs made the better start and opened scoring after four minutes when a deft kick from Scotland international halfback Gareth Moore found Ian Preece and he showed good strength to wrestle past James Haley and Shad Royston for the try. Moore converted to put Batley 6-0 up.
An unlucky call against Bulldogs winger Lee Greenwood resulted in possession for Fax from a scrum and after having little luck in stretching the defence, the visitors played it tight with Sean Penkywicz putting a short pass onto Dominic Maloney for the 23 year old prop to score. Paterson kicked the first of five goals and it was all level - 6-6.
Jon Goddard saw a try disallowed while Makali Aizue was held up. At this stage Halifax took a stranglehold on possession, aided by a 4-0 penalty count from the whistle of referee Ron Laughton. Four consecutive sets followed before another short ball from Penkywicz saw Maloney through for number two.
Batley only won their first penalty after 18 minutes but the Bulldogs couldn't take advantage when a dipping pass from Chris Buttery was knocked on by support.
Five minutes later, the visitors grabbed their second try when Ben Black passed left and a late change of direction from David Wrench took him past a couple of tacklers and over the try line.
The Bulldogs poured forward after half an our but James Martin couldn't hold onto the ball and the opportunity was lost. After defending their line, Batley won a penalty but Gareth Moore didn't find touch and within a minute former Gateshead halfback Luke Branighan dummied and forced his way over the line.
Minutes later, Batley again received a penalty in their own half and Paul Handforth missed touch. Halifax moved downfield and scored their fifth try when Royston evaded Danny Maun's tackle to cross. On the stroke of half-time Paterson struck a penalty from distance and Halifax looked out of sight at 30-6.
Three minutes into the new half, Fax surged upfield again for Branighan to make the line a second time. Paterson missed the conversion but at 34-6 it looked like game over. That is what Halifax seemed to think too.
Grabbing inspiration and spirit from somewhere, and aided by a turnaround in penalties, Batley began to offer a challenge. First big Sean Hesketh made inroads then former Salford and Leeds forward Jason Walton was prevented from scoring before alert play from dummy half led to Ash Lindsay pinching a try.
As penalties continued to be blown, Fax lost Wrench to the sinbin on 59 minutes and Batley snapped into action despite losing Handforth to injury.
Kyle Wood dinked a kick to his left and Preece was close to kicking on before Rob Worrincy tracked back to concede a drop out in the 66th minute. A minute later Kris Lythe's run set the position and Johnny Campbell grounded at the second time of asking despite best efforts of Goddard. Moore goaled quickly and was then on target 65 seconds later when Lindsay and Lythe went down the middle before Lindsay took the ball right and Campbell dashed in for his 11th try of the season. Moore added his 4th goal and despite some more attack from both teams there was no further scoring.
Halifax were able to breathe a sigh of relief at the end while Batley wondered what could have been but for a loose and mistake ridden opening.
BATLEY: Tries: Preece (4), Lindsay (50), Campbell 2 (67, 69). Goals: Moore 4/4.
HALIFAX: Tries: Maloney 2 (9, 15), Wrench (23), Branighan 2 (32, 43), Royston (38). Goals: Paterson 5/7.
Referee: Ron Laughton .
Penalties: Batley 17 Halifax 9.
Attendance: 837.
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