Penkywicz shines as Halifax see off Hawks

However, Hunslet provided some second-half encouragement by matching their opponents’ three tries.

The Hawks made a bright start when prop Ryan Benjafield stormed to the posts after only two minutes and David March added the goal, but Halifax soon established their superiority.

Sean Penkywicz had a hand in four of the first five Halifax tries, grabbing one of them himself and helping to put White, Tony Tonks and Sam Barlow over. Thackeray supported Adam Robinson’s strong break to score and White grabbed a long-distance try for his second touch-down.

With Steve Tyrer converting five of his side’s six first-half tries, Halifax went in at the interval with a deserved 34-6 advantage, with Penkywicz, Robinson, Barlow and Makali Aizue especially prominent in the forwards.

Thackeray dummied his way over for his second try, Lee Paterson successfully taking over the kicking duties. Hunslet had a spell on the offensive, with Ben Karalius wriggling his way over.

But Penkywicz and White combined to send Thackeray in for his hat-trick and Thackeray then provided the pass for White to follow suit.

Hunslet’s performance, especially in the second half, was an improvement on their 68-0 trouncing at Featherstone, March crossing for their third try and Luke Haigh adding another, but Barry Eaton’s men remain rooted to the foot of the table.

Hunslet Hawks: Kain; Mapals, Nathaniel, Welham, Brickwood; Helliwell, Karalius; Yates, Haigh, Benjafield, Clayton, Oakes, March. Substitutes: McLocklan, Hodgson, Tootill, Menzies.

Halifax: White; Paterson, Tyrer, Haley, Reittie; Handforth, Thackeray; Tonks, Penkywicz, Hesketh, Manning, Robinson, Ashall. Subs: Bowman, Casey, Barlow, Aizue.

Referee: D Merrick (Pontefract).