However, within 10 minutes of starting the second half it was back to the drawing board as they capitulated in a most alarming fashion to a talented Leicester Lions side that fully justified their position among the early National Three (North) front runners.
Just why it all went so spectacularly wrong is something only the players will know.
Because they proved in an upbeat first half that they could better the best and play with a confidence that had been lacking for much of last season and, certainly, in the early days of this.
Shell-shocked doesn't even come close.
This was a wake up call, if such was needed, that the team as a collective have got to grasp their responsibilities and focus their energies on an intense 80 minute spell if they are to climb out of the trough they currently find themselves in.
An expletive-laden, no holds barred gee up from coach Rhys Morgan at the end of the pre-match warm-up seemed to have had the desired effect as Halifax blasted out of the blocks with a controlled aggression and determination that has been all too sadly lacking recently.
There was fight and there was skill in equal measure, and Leicester were left wishing they had stayed on the bus.
A great break from industrious scrum half Dom Castle after just five minutes was symptomatic of Halifax's endeavour and he provided a cheeky inside pass for a fired up Dominic Moon to scamper over, Iain Gordon belting a confident conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Sadly Leicester were able to respond quickly, a rapid break from a penalty catching Halifax cold and despite Danny McGee executing a spirited last ditch tackle on opposite number Gareth Collins, the full back was able to offload to flanker Marc Howgate leaving inspirational stand off Jon Boden to land the conversion.
However, Halifax were ahead again within two minutes, Gordon spearing over a penalty that brought a few leaves spinning down from the trees ahead of the autumn cascade.
The home side continued to make the running but were undone again when they infringed in possession and quick thinking saw Leicester chip the ball forward for Collins to chase. He beat Danny McGee then stepped inside Gareth Brear before jogging over leaving Boden with a simple kick.
Halifax were still the better side and put themselves back in contention from the kick off with Gordon firing over a second penalty.
The omens were looking good with Halifax finding favour from a sparse crowd courtesy of their willingness to defend like Trojans while keeping the errors down and posing an attacking threat of their own.
It was such a pity that the defence were a little too robust for the referee's liking close to their own posts and Boden needed no further invitation to land the penalty for a 17-13 interval lead.
The less said about the second half the better, although Halifax had come out with a sense of purpose reflecting their earlier efforts.
They had lost flanker Richard Brown to an elbow injury to be replaced by Fraser Hall, but there was still no excusing the yawning gap that opened up for Boden from a lineout 10 minutes in as he romped in then kicked the conversion from under the crossbar.
Gordon fired a penalty wide after James Endersby had been stopped in his tracks, but that was all Halifax had to offer as Leicester ran through some pretty impressive and quickfire lines in the face of inadequate tackling and an increasing lack of collective self-confidence.
Lock Austin Watts powered over, Boden converting, before Halifax's questionable disciplinary record saw Gordon yellow carded for a professional foul.
Boden's resulting penalty slammed against an upright, but it wasn't long before Steven Cross went in after fine approach work then Dominic Moon fatefully missed his tackle on Boden who jogged over, the stand off converting both for a 45–13 lead.
Worse was to follow as winger Karl Pallas was allowed to break far too many tackles en route to the line and after Oli Marns had seen yellow for a moment of frustration, some superb work saw Leicester ice their particular cake with Pallas steaming in leaving Boden to add the final points.

HALIFAX Vikings were 22-21 winners in their Yorkshire 4th Merit League clash at Cleckheaton.

MATCH FACTS
Halifax: McGee, Brear, Emmerson, Endersby, Marns, Gordon, Castle, Blades, Worsley, Turner, Cammiss, Corrigan, Brown, Moon, Spence. Replacements: Barker (Emmerson 76), Townend (Worsley 62), Hall (Brown 40), Burrows (Corrigan 66), Lamptey (Turner 58)

Tries: Moon
Conversions: Gordon
Penalties: Gordon (2)
Drop Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Gordon (professional foul, 56), Marns (foul play, 72)
Red Cards: None

Leicester Lions: Collins, Pallas, Peacock, Cross, Roberts, Boden, Wright, Moore, Williamson, Murray, Watts, Bennett, Fagalilo, Howgate, Saxon. Replacements: Holmes (Murray 66), Ager (Williamson 66), Evans (Fagalilo 63), Rudkin (Howgate 52), Pegg (Peacock 66).

Tries: Howgate, Collins, Boden (2), Watts, Cross, Moore, Pallas
Conversions: Boden (7)
Penalties: Boden
Drop Goals: None
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None

Referee: G O'Hara (RFU)

STARMAN
He won't thank me for saying it, but at 37 Craig Emmerson is the elder statesman in the Halifax side.
But the younger players would do well to take a leaf out of the experienced utility back's book because, not for the first time over a glittering career, he epitomised everything that players should strive for in a performance – pride, passion and a steely determination to gain the upper hand over the opposition.
Emmerson never shirked a tackle and he refused to let an opportunity to run the ball at the opposition pass during an increasingly difficult afternoon.
His spirit knows no bounds and his fitness levels may also put a few to shame
Ian Spence was a player in the Emmerson mould. The burly No 8 adopted a take no prisoners mentality, both in defence and attack, and his doggedness, something that Halifax have been missing, coupled with a real desire to play on the front foot made him a real obstacle that Leicester struggled to overcome.
Josh Cammiss deserves great praise for sticking to his task in a pack that were all too often overpowered.
He dug deep when the going was tough and he was always up to the mark in the lineouts.

PLAYER POINTS
WORKOUT WAREHOUSE PLAYER OF THE SEASON: 4 Ian Spence; 3 Danny McGee, Oli Marns, Craig Emmerson; 2 Dominic Moon; 1 Paul Turner, Dominic Castle, Josh Cammiss.