Halifax battle back to cut gap on Rovers

Karl Harrison’s side were down to their last 17 fit players for the clash with the Cumbrians, whose own cause was undermined by the late withdrawl of Wigan’s England star Josh Charnley, who had been poised to play on a dual-registration contract.

And the home team, who are now only five points behind second-placed Featherstone, made a horror start, falling behind to a scrappy Jason Mossop try.

Carl Forber missed the conversion and Halifax piled on the pressure, dominating possession and position without managing to breach Town’s defence.

Indeed, it was the visitors who then delivered a cruel counter-punch, the wing Brett Carter dancing through some static defence on the half hour and Forber kicking Town 10-0 ahead.

Halifax gave themselves a boost just before half-time when Ben Johnston’s run created the platform for Ross Divorty to score, Steve Tyrer’s conversion making it 10-6 at the break.

Halifax finally broke their visitors when loose forward Luke Adamson charged in, Tyrer again on target with the extras.

And they finally sealed their success when Callum Casey raced clear down the middle to send in full-back Ryan Fieldhouse.

After that, the home side only grew stronger, comfortably resisting Town’s attempts to get themselves back in the game.

Halifax: Fieldhouse; Fox, Tyrer, Heaton, Saxton; Brown, Johnston; Ambler, Casey, Tonks, Manning, Divorty, Adamson. Substitutes: Bracek, Holden, Brooks, Spencer

Workington: Tierney; Carter, Morris, Murphy, Mossop; Lupton, Forber; Coward, Mattinson, Shackley, B. Phillips, Stack, Olstrum. Substitutes: Lucock, Duerden, C. Phillips, Rooney

Referee: W Turley (RFL).