Fax came from 32-12 down to win a frenzied final day clash at Featherstone 64-44 yesterday, the latest in a string of recoveries from double-figure deficits.

Calland's side, confirmed in third spot after Celtic Crusaders beat Salford on Saturday night, will now host sixth-placed Widnes at the Shay in a fortnight, prompting their coach to deliver a stark assessment of their current form.

"Defensively, we were a disgrace," said Calland.

"We were far too easy to score against and we have an awful lot to fix before the start of the play offs.

"If we're going to be successful, we are going to have to be far better defensively.

"There are mitigating factors - there were a few players playing busted - but we have two weeks to improve.

"It's all about our defence and our organisation.

"We always come back, don't we, but I am sick of coaching games like that.

"We cannot keep doing it, because against the top teams we will not come back to win."

Fax trailed 32-24 at the break at Post Office Road, but delivered a vast improvement after the interval, running in eight tries, including a Damian Gibson hat trick.

"I gave them a roasting at half time, to be polite about it," admitted Calland.

"I told them it wasn't good enough, basically.

"The first half performance was one of the worst I have been involved with: Featherstone ran harder, tackled harder, we had a complete lack of urgency.

"To be fair, there was no way we deserved to be in the game at half time.

"It's a tough one because we knew win or lose we were going to finish third, so we didn't have much to gain and I think the play offs were probably in the back of their minds.

"But we wanted some momentum and I think we might have got that with the ball in hand in the second half.

"Sean Penkywicz and Mark Gleeson did well, even though we did not get forward that well.

"We are relying a lot on Frank Watene at the moment, but hopefully we will have David Larder and Dana Wilson back fairly soon."