Sheffield Eagles 24 Halifax 38: Halifax complete Eagles double to the delight of coach Callard

A three-try burst midway through the second half sealed the game for Halifax although they were given a scare as Eagles centre Tangi Ropati grabbed two late tries.

Halifax coach Matt Calland said: "I'm really pleased with the victory. It was a funny sort of game and we didn't get out of second gear at times but still scored nearly 40 points."

The Eagles scored a try with their first attack.

Simon Brown put in a 40-20 kick and from the scrum the ball was switched across the field to centre Menzie Yere who had an easy run through the Halifax line for an unconverted try.

Lee Paterson's try levelled the scores but after an error on the line gave the Eagles a second set of six and Yere claimed his second touchdown.

Halifax made a triple substitution and Sean Penkywicz set up a try for fellow replacement Dominic Maloney.

A 35-metre break from first receiver took Ben Black through the Eagles line for a try that with Paterson's goal gave Halifax a 16-8 lead at half-time.

The opening minutes of the second half were marked by sloppy play by both teams before a Brendon Lindsay chip set up a try for back rower Peter Green which with Brown's conversion took the Eagles to within two point of Halifax.

Three tries in 10 minutes ended Eagles' chances coming back.

Former Eagles forward Dave Larder started the blast followed by touchdowns for Shad Royston and Penkywicz, with Paterson kicking the goals and Halifax were 34-14 ahead.

Ropati revived hopes of a consolation bonus point with a

60-metre break for a solo try then adding a second from Brown's long pass. Brown kicked one of the goals.

With five minutes to go Dylan Nash went in for a try that stretched Halifax's winning margin to 14 points, meaning no bonus for the hosts.

Sheffield Eagles: Taulapapa, Mills, Yere, Ropati, Bergin; Lindsay, Brown; Hepworth, Cook, Stringer, Szostak, Green, Hirst. Substitutes: Rowe, Haley, Exton, Henderson.

Halifax: Royston; Paterson, Goddard, Nash, White; Branighan, Black;Cherryholme, Beswick, Ostick, Rudd, Bannister. Substitutes: Penkywicz, Watene, Maloney, Holroyd.

Referee: G Hewer (RFL).