VIDEO: Halifax need to ‘learn lessons’ from defeats – Marshall

Halifax coach Richard Marshall admitted feeling a sense of deja vu after their 34-12 loss at Hull KR.
Halifax's Jacob Fairbanks looks to offload in the tackle against Hull KR.Halifax's Jacob Fairbanks looks to offload in the tackle against Hull KR.
Halifax's Jacob Fairbanks looks to offload in the tackle against Hull KR.

His Championship part-timers had lost just 14-0 against Widnes Vikings in their opening Qualifiers game the previous week and were again very close to Super League opponents yesterday before falling away right at the death.

They were only 22-12 behind heading into the last eight minutes and had seen Scott Murrell miss a glorious chance to narrow the deficit further.

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“It was very like last week; we put ourselves in the picture in the second half to potentially go on and win the game,” said Marshall.

Halifax's Jacob Fairbanks looks to offload in the tackle against Hull KR.Halifax's Jacob Fairbanks looks to offload in the tackle against Hull KR.
Halifax's Jacob Fairbanks looks to offload in the tackle against Hull KR.

“We had chances. If Dane Manning and Scott link up at 10 points behind and we score and it changes the complexion of the game.

“It didn’t happen and Hull KR are a quality team and they’ve wrapped it up in those last five minutes.

“Again, the final scoreline probably didn’t reflect the effort we put in and I am more disappointed with it this week because of the experience we had against Widnes; we need to address that this week.

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“We probably chanced our arm a little bit too much, but it’s catch 22; in our position, if you don’t chance your arm at times against these teams, you are just going to get beaten up anyway.

“I thought our defence was good again and I thought the older guys – Scott Murrell, Richard Moore – really led us well and caused them problems.

“Scott didn’t have a point to prove coming back here; he plays like that, with that exuberance, every week and that’s infectious for the team.

“I was disappointed we couldn’t give him a better memory with a win, but there’s a lot to build on from that second half,” he said.

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“At the moment, we’re just 
happy to be part of this competition.”

Marshall made a major tactical switch when he removed former Hull KR half-back Connor Robinson late on and put lively full-back Ben Johnston into the creative role instead, winger James Saltonstall going to No 1.

“We needed to change something,” he said, with Halifax seeking their first points when they visit Championship rivals Sheffield Eagles next Sunday.

“It was difficult for Connor coming back here and it went away from him a little bit towards the end.

“We needed a bit more direction and I thought Ben gave us that.

“It’s something we’ll look at it in more detail during the week,” he added.