HALIFAX PANTHERS stalwart Jacob Fairbank wants his club’s winning start to the league campaign to underpin a push for consistency and the play-offs under Kyle Eastmond.
The Shay side go to York on Sunday – a repeat of their 1895 Cup first-round tie – seeking a third win from three in the Championship.
Eastmond’s charges beat Sheffield 28-14 in South Yorkshire, when forward Fairbank made his 250th Halifax appearance, and followed it up with a 24-14 home win over Barrow.
“We’re normally slow starters,” said the 34-year-old former Huddersfield player.
“While we’re certainly not getting carried away, because it’s early in the season and sides are still finding their feet, it’s encouraging and we’ve got something to build on.
“We know we need to keep doing the same things week in, week out, and I think Kyle has instilled a strong work ethic and strong mindset.
“The players like the environment and I certainly like the feeling around the club at the moment.
“I had a good pre-season. I’m enjoying my rugby as much as I have for a couple of years now. I think I have a few seasons left in me still.”
Eastmond, who is hoping Australian second rower Owen McCarron will soon be back from a leg injury, said of the Barrow game: “They were really tough opponents.
“They turned up with the mindset to take us on, and I was pleased with the way we responded.
“We knew it would be a bit of a grind, and we found a way to get through and get the points.
“There are still plenty of things to work on; we need to brush up on our discipline and ball control particularly and be a bit smarter all round.
“But two wins from two league matches is the most important thing, and we will continue to do what we’ve tried to do since the start of pre-season – get better with each training sessions and game.”
