Whitehaven 14 Halifax 36: Second-half revival earns Halifax points

The two sides were deadlocked at 10-10 at half-time, but a purple patch from Halifax brought five swift tries to end the contest with 20 minutes remaining.

Karl Harrison’s visitors made a positive start, forcing two goal-line drop-outs in the first five minutes and making Whitehaven start two sets on their own line.

Halifax opened the scoring in the seventh minute. The ball was spread from left to right until it reached Manning, who pushed off Craig Calvert to score.

Ben Johnston scored five minutes later. He threw an outrageous dummy which the home defence fell for. Steve Tyrer’s kick made it 10-0.

Whitehaven scored their first points in the 21st minute through winger Shaun Ainscough. Tom Carr put a kick through, Johnston knocked the ball down and Ainscough picked up to score.

Chris Smith levelled the scores diving on the ball following a kick from Jessie Joe Parker. Cain Southernwood converted.

In the second-half, Halifax’s dominance took hold. Tries from Murrell, Gareth Potts, Tommy Sexton, Paul Mennell and a second for Manning put the game to bed.

Tyrer converted three out of the five additional tries.

Whitehaven finished the scoring in the final minute through Craig Calvert as he raced in at the corner after a long pass from Southernwood.

Whitehaven: Carr, Ainscough, McAvoy, Parker, Calvert, Thorman, Southernwood, Hand, Smith, Jackson, Doran, Mitchell, Marabe. Substitutions: Newton, Tahraoui, Burns, Crellin.

Halifax: Fieldhouse, Saxton, Tyrer, Manning, Potts, Murrell, Johnston, Ambler, Kaye, Bracek, Divorty, Robinson, Adamson. Substitutions: Mennell, Tonks, Davies, C. Casey.

Referee: T Crashley (RFL).