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Halifax RLFC Try of the season



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Published Date: 04 October 2008
Halifax played their most exciting rugby league for more than a decade in 2008. Here, Courier RL writer James Roberts picked his 10 tries of the season and gave you the chance to vote for your winner.
Try one
Jon Goddard v Melbourne Storm, February 22
Goddard had already scored once - bizarrely putting Fax 6-0 up against the National Rugby League champions - by the time he romped in for a stunning second deep in the second half of the World Club Challenge warm up.
Halifax have scored plenty of tries like this one in 2008, whipping the ball from one wing to the other to stretch their opponents' defence to breaking point.
But this one is so memorable because it was Melbourne, the best Australia has to offer and arguably the finest defensive club side on either side of the globe.
It might have been a friendly, but watching Goddard taking Graham Holroyd's long, looping pass and blast past Israel Folau - that's Israel Folau of Queensland and Australia, and arguably the top centre in the sport - was one of the high points of the year.

Try two
Paul Smith v Leigh, April 27

If Halifax developed a reputation for comebacks in 2008, this was the game where it all started.
The visitors were appalling for long periods at Hilton Park, trailing 36-10 deep into the second half.
What happened next was simply remarkable as 12 man Leigh - who had prop Chris Hill sent off for a horrible high tackle - were blown away by some scintillating attacking play as Fax careered to a 42-36 win.
It was left to Smith, backing up a surging run from the inspirational Sean Penkywicz, to finally put Fax in front.

Try three
David Larder v Batley, May 5

Props are not renowned for their try scoring exploits, and fewer still are capable of racing clear from inside their own half and beating the full back on their way to the line.
David Larder can be excused on the grounds that he was a back rower making an occasional start in the front row of the pack, but it was still some effort.
Shrugging of a tackle close to half way, Larder thunders down on Batley number one Ian Preece with support from Fax's leading scorer Shad Royston on his inside.
Larder chose not to pass though, throwing a sublime dummy to send Preece the wrong way before racing the final 20 metres to the line.

Try four
Miles Greenwood v Widnes, June 8

This was brilliant, clinical attacking football and sums up everything that has been good about Halifax in 2008.
Speed, intelligence, support play, quick, accurate handling - it's all there as the visitors put 10 passes together on their way to a fantastic team try.
It was also a hugely significant score as it finally killed off Widnes' hopes of a comeback and set the seal on arguably Fax's best on the road performance of the year.
Fax work the ball from left to right and then back again before Richard Varkulis supplies Greenwood with the killer ball. Brilliant.

Try five
Richard Varkulis v Widnes, June 8

This touchdown is all about one man: Sean Penkywicz.
This was Penkywicz's final appearance before undergoing surgery to finally fix the broken scaphoid that had dogged him since Easter.
Fax's captain had his hand heavily strapped and was in obvious discomfort, but still managed to produce the best individual performance of the year.
Fax trailed 18-6 when Penkywicz entered the fray in the second quarter. He proceeded to rip the Vikings to shreds, paving the way for a fine win.
This was his best effort, a typical sniping run from the play the ball before picking up the supporting Varkulis on his outside.

Try six
Jon Goddard v Dewsbury, May 18

There is no doubt that Goddard is one of the best centres outside Super League, with a reputation built on a rock solid all round game.
But this is the touchdown that proves the ex-Hull KR man is capable of coming up with those moments of magic too.
The way Goddard beats wingman Bryn Powell - no slouch when it comes to a foot race - in the tightest of spaces on the touchline, shows genuine, explosive speed and power.
Throw in some fancy footwork to finish off the full back and you've got one of the scores of the year.

Try seven
Mark Flanagan v Whitehaven, June 22

Of all Halifax's 2008 loan signings - Mike Ratu, Joe Walsh, Tom Coyle, Craig Kopczak and Flanagan - it was easy to see why the last two were the ones who would be welcomed back with open arms.
Flanagan, Wigan's young loose forward is a talent so obvious that even Blind Freddie - that imaginary character so beloved of Australian coaches and commentators - could spot it.
The 21 year old's bone-crunching defensive technique is one reason. And here's the other.
There doesn't look to be a lot on when Flanagan gets the ball in the right hand channel, but one brilliant cut out pass to Jon Goddard later, the youngster is backing up on the inside to touchdown.
It's a simple try, but the quality of Flanagan's initial ball, probably the best pass thrown at the Shay all year, makes it special.

Try eight
Jon Goddard v Salford, June 27

Halifax probably played their best rugby of a stellar season in the third quarter of this first versus second showdown.
Trailing 24-6 at half time, after being 24-0 down at one stage, Fax ripped the eventual National League One champions to bits after the break.
And this try was the best of the three they scored to level things up at 24-24 before Stefan Ratchford eventually won it for the Reds.
Ben Black starts the movement with a last tackle grubber kick on the half way line.
It's a high risk play, but the rewards are high too: Black collecting, handing on to talented back rower Mark Flanagan and the on loan Wigan player showing a real cool head to draw the full back before delivering the scoring ball to Goddard.

Try nine
Ben Black v Batley, August 10

Halifax were in deep, deep trouble at Mount Pleasant.
Trailing with only seconds remaining, they needed a miracle to win a game that was crucial in their hunt for a second-placed finish.
Fortunately, miracles are Black's speciality.
There didn't look to be a gap when the half back received the ball on the 20 metre line, but one shimmy and a sidestep later the Australian was dancing under the posts to kick start the celebrations.

Try 10
Ben Black v Widnes, September 4

They said Ben Black couldn't do it when it mattered. This was the Halifax half back's response.
Black was on fire in Fax's play off opener against Widnes and had already touched down once when the ball ricocheted free deep in home territory.
What happened next was a tribute to hooker Mark Gleeson's experience and intelligence and Black's scoring instincts and raw speed.
Gleeson resisted the temptation to drop on the loose ball, realising he was in an offside position.
That left Black free to scoop up possession, put a massive fend on the Vikings' on loan St Helens centre Steve Tyrer, and showcase his blistering pace on a 60 metre dash to the line.




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  • Last Updated: 10 October 2008 3:08 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Halifax
 
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HalifaxCommunityRugbyLeague,

10/10/2008 09:12:48
Superstar Dave Larder
2

HalifaxLoyalSupporter,

halifax 05/11/2008 23:10:25
i think ben black try was the best in every single one of them
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