Arundel’s early try wiped out as Halifax stun in-form Doncaster

Championship hopefuls Halifax underlined their recent upsurge in form by hammering third-placed Doncaster at the Shay.

The visitors were never in touch against Karl Harrison’s side once an early score, from the dual-registered Hull FC centre Joe Arundel, the South Yorkshire side’s best player on the day, had been cancelled out.

From that moment on, Halifax were dominant as Doncaster struggled to escape their own half for significant periods of time.

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Winger Gareth Potts hauled Halifax level on the scoreboard when he took a long, low pass from the captain and stand-off Scott Murrell to cross in the corner after 12 minutes.

Young half-back Ben Johnston then put back row Ross Divorty over, the Wales international scoring by the posts for centre Steve Tyrer to convert and put the home side 10-4 ahead.

A third try followed before half-time, the other back row Dane Manning beating a handful of defenders to touch down and Tyrer making it 16-4, with the Dons’ only response Stewart Sanderson’s penalty on the stroke of half-time.

Halifax killed the contest early in the second half, Murrell charging over and Tyrer converting to make it 22-6.

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A second try from Potts, after a flowing attack down the left flank had Doncaster in disarray, and another from Manning then pushed the score out to 30-6 in Halifax’s favour.

Wing Tommy Saxton touched down in the corner after excellent approach play from Johnston, who then supplied the final pass for Ryan Fieldhouse’s try.

Prop Ben Davies applied the finishing touches after a short ball from hooker Ben Kaye to round off a comprehensive victory.

Halifax: Fieldhouse; Saxton, Tyrer, Cowling, Potts; Murrell, Johnston; Ambler, Kaye, Bracek, Manning, Divorty, Adamson. Substitutes: Mennell, Tonks, Davies, Casey

Doncaster: Scott; Morrison, Welham, Arundel, Sanderson; Cooke, Nicklas; Spiers, Spaven, Carbutt, Kent, Kelly, Emmett. Substitutes: Wildie, Waterman, Castle, Wilson

Referee: Joe Cobb (RFL).

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