Hunslet Hawks 24 Halifax 31: Murrell the difference as Halifax deny Hawks

Barry Eaton’s Hawks, for whom former Workington scrum-half James Coyle embellished a lively debut with a try and dual-registered Chris Clarkson made his first appearance from the Rhinos with a grafting display in the pack, enjoyed plenty of possession. However, many of their efforts came to grief against a well-drilled Halifax defence.

After taking a fourth-minute lead through second rower Ross Divorty’s converted try, Halifax lost their discipline, conceding a procession of penalties, but Hunslet failed to make them pay. Further tries by Anthony Thackeray and Wayne Reitte, again improved by Steve Tyrer, stretched the lead to 18 points before Hunslet hit back with two tries in three minutes just before the break.

Prop Andy Yates was first to touch down and Coyle then scored his debut try, skipper David March converting both.

Halifax needed to re-establish their authority and when Craig Ashall made a superb 53rd minute break and sidestep, Thackeray was up in support to snatch his second try, Tyrer’s goal making it 24-12.

Hunslet, though, showed excellent character to draw level with converted tries by winger Stuart Kain and centre Liam Welham in an eight-minute spell.

With five minutes left Hunslet full-back Jimmy Watson misjudged a cruel bounce of the ball, enabling Murrell to score his side’s fifth try.

Tyrer added the goal and Murrell’s smart drop goal ensured the points went to Halifax.

Hunslet Hawks: J Watson; Mapals, Oakes, Welham, Kain; T Coyle, J Coyle; Haley, Hood, Moore, Houston, Haughey, March. Substitutes: Yates, Haigh, Menzies, Clarkson.

Halifax: Patterson; Worrincey, Tyrer, Heaton, Reittie; Murrell, Thackeray; Tonks, Handforth, Ambler, Manning, Divorty, C Ashall. Substitutes: Bracek, K Ashall, Barlow, Casey.

Referee: R Laughton.

A strong second-half display from South Wales Scorpions enabled them to sweep aside Gloucestershire All Golds 46-18 in their Kingstone Press Championship 1 encounter.