HALIFAX PANTHERS 28 BATLEY BULLDOGS 10
KEITH McGHIE, The Shay, Sunday

HALIFAX came from behind to register their first league points of the season against a Batley side who showed signs of still being a little short of competitive action. 

After their opening 19-12 defeat at Doncaster, the Panthers built on their Challenge Cup mauling of London Chargers to score five tries in reply to the two of the Bulldogs, for whom it was a first league game of the year.

Halifax moved French recruit Tanguy Zenon to fullback in place of David Nofoaluma with loan acquisition Myles Lawford retaining the scrum-half berth after the Wakefield man’s 30-point haul against the amateurs. 

Batley handed a much-delayed debut to previously suspended Ben Reynolds at fullback, which relegated the previous week’s hat-trick hero Robbie Butterworth to the bench, and a bright opening earned the visitors the first score.

Felix Ellis made an early departure after suffering a head knock, before Joe Burton, who had already been forced into touch, dived over when capitalising on an overlap, caused when centre Alfie Johnson was also helped off with what looked like a shoulder injury.

Both Will Calcott and Owen McCarron had already lost control at the other end in the process of crossing the line and only a  magnificent tackle from Lucas Walshaw saved a try from Tom Inman.

However a fine pass from Zenon sent Ben Tibbs racing in to level, with Lawford, like Reynolds beforehand, just wide with the touchline conversion attempt.

Charlie Graham was held up as half-time approached but the lively Zenon threw a half-dummy to break the line and run in try number two from 20 metres out, Lawford this time on target with the kick for a 10-4 lead.

A thunderous Ben Forster break from his own half came to nothing but Ben Crooks still had time to pick up a poor pass and, as the hooter sounded, race under the sticks for the score which when improved by Lawford, created a twelve-point half-time advantage.

Halifax survived a spell of early pressure as the visitors tried for a quick response after the break.

Luke Cooper finally crossed off a short ball from Jonah Parsons, with Reynolds converting.

Jesse Soric helped restore Halifax’s advantage just after the hour with a try that stemmed the visitors’ progress. Again Lawford added the extras.

With 13 minutes remaining, Graham all but settled the issue when he charged down a Josh Woods kick and followed up to plant it between the posts, enabling Lawford to claim his fourth goal.

GAMESTAR: Tanguy Zenon made a fine contribution from fullback for Halifax, making their first try and scoring their second to switch momentum and the lead in favour of his team.

GAMEBREAKER: Charlie Graham’s interception try after 67 minutes.

MATCHFACTS

PANTHERS
3 Tanguy Zenon
22 Darius Carter
5 Charlie Graham
4 Alfie Johnson
2 Ben Tibbs
6 Jesse Soric
17 Myles Lawford
8 Will Calcott
9 Adam O’Brien
12 Owen McCarron
11 Ben Crooks
24 Brad Day
14 Tom Inman
Subs (all used)
20 Vila Halafihi
13 Jacob Fairbank
21 Ben Forster
23 Leon Cowen

Tries: Tibbs (26), Zenon (36), Crooks (40), Soric (62), Graham (67)
Goals: Lawford 4/5

BULLDOGS
6 Ben Reynolds
2 Joe Burton
23 Felix Ellis
20 Jack Hudson
– Will Oakes
14 Ben White
7 Josh Woods
17 Liam Kirk
9 Alistair Leak
13 Robson Stevens
15 Nyle Flynn
12 Lucas Walshaw
21 Luca Atkinson
Subs (all used)
1 Robbie Butterworth
10 Luke Cooper
19 Jonah Parsons
25 Akim Matvejev

Tries: Burton (21), Cooper (51)
Goals: Reynolds 1/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 4-4, 10-4, 16-4; 16-10, 22-10, 28-10

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Man of the Match
Panthers: Tanguy Zenon; Bulldogs: Lucas Walshaw

Penalty count: 4-7
Half-time: 16-4
Referee: Tara Jones
Attendance: 1,740