Doncaster 0 Halifax 52: Dons hammered by Halifax to put Middle Eights within sight

Halifax all but confirmed their place in the Middle Eights after crushing Championship strugglers Doncaster at the Keepmoat Stadium to consolidate fourth spot.
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Richard Marshall’s side were dominant from the first whistle, building an 18-0 half-time lead before piling on the agony for the Dons in the second half.

The visitors looked sharper from the off, with half-back Connor Robinson – signed from Hull KR in midweek after a successful stint on dual-registration –forcing a drop out with a nicely weighted kick. Halifax hooker Ben Kaye dabbed the ball into the in-goal and back row Dane Manning pounced for the try.

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Centre Steve Tyrer added the conversion for a 6-0 lead, doubled when stand-off Scott Murrell floated the ball wide and Tyrer tapped it back inside for Manning, who claimed his second try of the game. Tyrer’s conversion drifted wide, but he added a penalty after Kaye had been hit late by Ben Musolino.

The visitors took the score to 18-0 just before the break, Murrell launching another diagonal kick and Tyrer claiming possession in the air before twisting over the line to touch down.

The centre converted his own score and was on target again two minutes after the break after he put winger Tommy Saxton over by the corner flag.

That effectively ended the game as a contest at 24-0 and from there on it was one-way traffic as Halifax consistently ripped the defence to shreds.

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Tyrer grabbed his second try, Andy Bracek raced clear after snapping up a loose ball and Ben Johnston applied a scorching finish in the left corner.

Hooker Ryan Maneely, back after an eight-week injury absence, then added a brace of touchdowns, one a short range scoot, then a long range finish after Richard Moore and Tyrer had made the opening.

Doncaster: Carr; Scott, Doherty, Welham, Fox; McLocklan, Emmett; Groat, Kesik, Spiers, Snitch, Musolino, Clark. Subs: Carbutt, Kelly, Wright, Tagaloa

Halifax: Johnston; Potts, Saltonstall, Tyrer, Saxton; Robinson, Murrell; Tangata, Kaye, Cahalane, Divorty, Manning, Moore. Subs: Bracek, Spencer, Maneely, Boyer

Referee: Tom Crashley