If only they could match their 80 minutes of effort with a cutting edge and the ability to retain the ball for meaningful phases.

They were partly the reasons for the side's downfall again as they failed to build on a decent first half performance, although it could be argued that they should have made better use of the strong and extremely chilly wind that swirled across the exposed Grantchester Road pitch.

A sin-binning for flanker Dan Solomi early in the second half was the real turning point as the home side made use of Halifax's reduced numbers to finally secure a foothold in the game.

Halifax went in at the break holding a fully deserved, yet ultimately fragile, 8-0 lead against a Cambridge side who have racked up the points and the victories on their home patch this season.

Not surprisingly Cambridge came out with all guns blazing, throwing everything at Halifax in an early effort to put National Two's bottom club firmly in their place.

However, they did not reckon on the high level of strength and commitment Halifax put into their tackling and effectively nullified the considerable threat.

Halifax arrived boasting yet more new faces on loan from Rotherham. Gareth Brear started on the wing while there were places on the bench for forward duo Tim Maslanyk and Jonathan Williamson.

Raiding full back Luke Fielden tested the solidity of the Halifax rearguard on a couple of occasions while talented centre and skipper James Shanahan did the same, Halifax scrum half Craig Aikman unceremoniously dumping him into touch to end one sortie towards the visitors line.

When Halifax did move the ball, they moved it with as much promise as the home side, Oli Marns knocking on in the tackle and Joe Knowles embarking on an excellent run before being forced into touch.

Fielden looked to have finally broken the shackles but his run to the line was halted after it was ruled the pass from winger Chris Lombaard had been forward.

The effort was highly commendable given the conditions and Halifax rocked Cambridge back on their heels with a double whammy, Knowles putting them 3-0 ahead with a long range wind-assisted penalty before a stunning Craig Aikman break brought Marns into play and he powered over in the corner despite the attentions of a number of Cambridge tacklers.

It could have been even better when Knowles found Mitchell but again the pass was adjudged to be forward.

While Halifax had every right to feel aggrieved that a number of decisions went against them, they could have done without flanker Solomi spending 10 minutes cooling his heels on the sidelines after just seven minutes of the second period.

Solomi failed to hear the referee's whistle following a scrum and crashed into the tackle, the official harshly issuing the card presumably for deliberate obstruction.

Halifax were again forced into a period of strong defence but Cambridge used their man advantage well and Lombaard ploughed in at the corner after the home side had been allowed to break tackles in the middle of the pitch.

Cull converted to bring Cambridge to within a point at 8-7.

That was followed almost immediately by a long range Cull penalty which edged his side ahead and Halifax could sense all their earlier hard work evaporating again.

That was confirmed when Shanahan burst through for Cull to convert to open up a 17-8 lead.

Halifax continued to work hard, but as often been the case this season they were caught out while trying to chase the game and Cull was able to land a final penalty to signal the end of another afternoon of heartache for Halifax.

Star Man
Craig Aikman showed all the facets to his game on an afternoon when Halifax needed to stand up and be counted.
To be fair, every player did, but Aikman always has something extra in his locker that can scare the life out of the opposition.
His running was again elusive and packed with pace - the burst that set up Oli Marns for Halifax's try was sensational and the highlight on a cold afternoon when rugged rugby was the order of the day.
His distribution was good as he and Tom Eaton finally appeared to receive some protection from the back row, and the fact that he was always barking orders, and looking to find different options were real plus points.
Matt Harrison gets better with every game. Fearless and strong, he works well in the lineout but his great strength lies in taking the ball and powering forward. Quick to sense opportunities, Harrison works hard in all areas, but most particularly where the bodies are piling in.
Ben Mitchell has pace to burn, whether running with the ball or haring across to defend. He knew he had the beating of his opposite number and would have run him ragged either on the inside or the outside all afternoon if he had received regular service.
Aikman collects three points, Harrison two and Mitchell one in the season-long competition.

Player Points
WORKOUT WAREHOUSE PLAYER OF THE SEASON: 14 Craig Aikman, 10 Joe Knowles, 6 George Jenkins, Matt Harrison; 5 Oli Marns, Gareth Lewis; 4 Tom Eaton; 3 Dave Hall, Danny McGee, James Endersby; 2 Richard White; 1 Richard Brown, Phil Skillen, Adam Blades, Iain Gordon, Ben Mitchell.

Match Facts
Cambridge: Fielden, Kendall, Barnard, Shanahan, Lombaard, Cull, Ferrari, Ross, Hoad, Laws, Candlin, Harlock, Kolakowski, Blom, Remnant. Replacements: Naqasima, Otter, Kirkman, Berridge.
Tries: Lombaard, Shanahan
Con:Cull (2)
Pens: Cull (2)
Drop Goals: None
Yellow Cards: None
Red Cards: None
Halifax: Knowles, Brear, Marns, Gordon, Mitchell, Eaton, Aikman, Blades, Jenkins, White, Harrison, Solomi, Lewis, Moon. Replacements: Dillon, Kay (Townsend 65), Maslanyk (White 70), Williamson (Jenkins, 65)
Tries: Marns
Cons: None
Pens: Knowles
Yellow Cards: Solomi (47, technical offence)
Red Cards: None
Referee: Michael Tutty (RFU).