IF games lasted 40 minutes then Halifax would be somewhere near the top of the National Two table.

But they don't - and they aren't.

That is one of the most frustrating aspects of Halifax's season to date. They know they have the ability to beat teams in what promises to be a very close league this year.

But they are ultimately falling short and that is something that must be addressed, particularly in the next few crucial weeks.

Halifax played as well as at any time this season during the first half and the confidence they showed promised a positive outcome.

That was after they had fallen behind to centre Danny Wells's early penalty.

Henley immediately set about the task of improving that lead and Halifax were forced to show their defensive mettle as Henley staged a series of scrums, the visitors holding the hosts back by fair means or foul.

Henley were unable to turn the pressure into points and the excellent Tom Eaton was able to repel the invaders; for a short time at least. The home side were soon back in Halifax territory but Barry Reeves's superb touchfinder went to waste.

Halifax began to impose themselves on the match and Oli Marns brought flying full back Joe Knowles into play and he set off on a searing break before chipping forward, only for Henley to clear into touch.

Eaton's boot then brought Halifax to within five metres of the Henley line. The visitors worked the ball, and the position, superbly and when Henley infringed Knowles had no problems in levelling things with the penalty.

Further positive play saw Eaton make a good break and Halifax were working well to prise the openings. A stolen ball provided Marns with the opportunity to run but he was forced wide and put a foot in touch.

Another Eaton kick to the corner promised much but prop George Jenkins knocked on. Play was brought back for an earlier infringement which saw Henley flanker Steve Green sin-binned for a technical offence.

Still Halifax asked all the questions and Henley were again forced into a foul and Knowles nailed the penalty with some assurance.

It needed an error for Henley to claw their way back. Eaton's horribly sliced kick caused chaos in the visiting ranks and when they were deemed offside Wells made no mistake with the penalty.

However, Halifax's hard work was rewarded almost immediately when Henley once more incurred the wrath of the referee and Knowles landed a long distance penalty for a 9-6 advantage.

Halifax stayed out on the pitch for the interval and must have fancied their chances of keeping the momentum going.

But they were undone by some swift Henley re-cycling as Luke Burns broke but was well-tackled.

Star Player
TOM Eaton wears his heart on his sleeve.
He shows his frustration more than most when things aren't going right and is usually the first to hold up his hand when he knows he hasn't performed to the best of his ability.
The fact that he cares makes him a more than useful weapon and he pulls out all the stops to make sure Halifax are still in there and competing.
Some of the things he tries don't always come off but he is always at the forefront of Halifax's best work and Saturday was no exception - his tackling in particular a highlight of the stand off's game against Henley.
Joe Knowles took his penalties well, as we have come to expect. But once again he showed his great pace and worried Henley with some excellent running which deserved greater reward.
The back row worked hard to impose themselves and nobody more than Phil Skillen.
He was strong in the tackle and was also a willing ball carrier - taking the action into the heart of the Henley defence. Another player that never gave up from the first minute to the last.
Eaton picks up three points, Knowles two and Skillen one in the season-long star player competition.

Match Facts
Henley: Lambden, Ah-Ling, Wells, Burns, Simmons, Reeves, Gaunt, Le Chevalier, Alexopolous, Robinson, Winterbottom, Hurrell, Green, Williams, Archer. Replacements: Muggridge (Robinson, 63), Fuller (Alexopolous, 64), Chamberlain (Green, 54), Meenan (Simmons, 63).
Tries: Ah-Ling, Archer, Reeves, Burns
Conversions: Wells (2)
Penalties: Wells (2)
Drop goals: None
Yellow cards: Green (technical offence 29)
Red cards: None
Halifax: Knowles, Marns, Endersby, McGee, Greenwood, Eaton, Aikman, Blades, Kay, Jenkins, White, Harrison, Skillen, Lewis, Moon. Replacements: Solomi (Lewis, 63), Gordon (Greenwood, 63), Townsend (Kay, 71), Kilbane (Blades, 52)
Tries: None
Conversions: None
Penalties: Knowles (3)
Drop goals: None
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
Referee: Darren Gamage (RFU)

Player Points
WORKOUT WAREHOUSE PLAYER OF THE SEASON: 10 Joe Knowles; 9 Craig Aikman; 4 Tom Eaton, Gareth Lewis; 3 Dave Hall, George Jenkins, Danny McGee; 2 Richard White, Matt Harrison; 1 Richard Brown, Phil Skillen.