The 20-7 victory over Waterloo at Ovenden Park lifted some of the gloom following a dismal campaign and also proved that Halifax do have the kind of battling qualities needed to see games through to a successful conclusion.

That is an area where they have let themselves down on a number of occasions this season, but last weekend proved a telling exception.

"We had a killer instinct from the start," said Mitchell. "We put points on the board and after that showed tremendous spirit.

"Our scrambling defence worked really well and we were never going to lose that game.

"It has been building to be honest and everybody knows it has been down to confidence as much as anything.

"We have still been struggling to close games out though and that, unfortunately, is a sign of a losing team.

"But the signs of improvement have been there. It really started with the Cambridge game and then again when we played Blackheath."

Mitchell was also delighted that the team had been able to give the home support something to cheer with victory in their final game of the season at Ovenden Park.

"It is tough playing in a losing team but it is just as tough for those who come out to watch," added Mitchell.

"It was important that we won the game for their sake.

"I think we all definitely owed the club a performance like that. It was good that we showed people we can do it even if it was the penultimate game of the season.

"It was too little too late but hopefully it will bode well for next season.

"It makes you wonder if we had won the first game of the season against Wharfedale just what would have happened from there.

"Now we have Wharefedale to come on Saturday. They like to throw the ball around and if it is a nice day they have a good, big pitch to play on so hopefully it will be a good game."