Halifax 66 Whitehaven 16: Troubled side prove no match for Halifax

Halifax took the early lead, with wing Lee Paterson racing 60 metres to score after fielding a kick deep inside his own half.

Paterson converted, but the advantage lasted just seconds, with Paterson's opposite number Jay Rossi scoring in the corner after Halifax lost possession.

Another try followed, Graeme Mattinson stretching over on the right, but that was practically the last that was seen of the visitors – whose players had been told to take pay cuts during the week – as Halifax eased clear.

Worrincy and teenager Anthony Bowman both touched down to put the home side 14-10 ahead.

And two tries in four minutes just before the half hour, from Shad Royston and Stephen Bannister, both converted by Paterson, put Halifax 26-10 ahead.

Half back Ben Black stretched the advantage to 30-10 and Halifax stretched further ahead early in the second half with prop Sam Barlow, scoring by the posts and Paterson converting for 36-10.

Whitehaven pulled a try back through Danny Bower, Rudd converting, before Graham Holroyd set up Worrincy for his second, Paterson converting for 42-16.

Further tries from Bob Beswick and Royston, plus a late long range double from Worrincy, sealed an easy win.

Halifax: Royston; Paterson, Goddard, Nash, Worrincy; Branighan, Holroyd; Cherryholme, Beswick, Maloney, Larder, Wrench, Bowman. Substitutes: Black, Watene, Bannister, Barlow.

Whitehaven: Eilbeck; Rossi, Jackson, McAvoy, Hamzat; Rudd, Dalton; Amor, Mattinson, Johnson, Hill, Wilton, Joe. Substitutes: Smith, Bibb, Bower, Bower, Thornley.

Referee: M. Drizza.