HALIFAX boss Matt Calland watched his new-look line up take a significant step towards topping their Northern Rail Cup group yesterday, thrashing Whitehaven 48-16 at a frozen Shay.
And the former Bradford threequarter warned future opponents that his side's eight-try demolition job was a sign of things to come.
Click here to see the slide show from the game."I was really pleased with the performance, I think we showed what we are about," said Calland, who admitted he had discussed Haven coach's Paul Crarey's suggestion that Fax relied too heavily on stand off Graham Holroyd with his squad.
"We talked about that before the game and came out and showed we are not a one man band, we are a 17 man band.
"The things we worked on this week, the defensive side of things, I was very happy with.
"We looked a lot stronger in contact and I thought we won the arm wrestle all game long.
"We realised it was a step up in standards and we really stepped up to the plate."
Calland's star-studded backline again hogged the limelight, with in form wingmen Lee Patterson and Andy Smith both scoring and centre Jon Goddard touching down twice.
"The outside backs were awesome again," said Calland.
"I was really pleased with Smith, it makes a massive difference to any side when you have a 16 and a half stone winger charging the ball up and getting a quick play the ball every time.
"It sets the tone for the whole set and you get a roll on every time.
"He is doing really well and the wing/centre partnerships on both sides of the field - Jon Goddard and Lee Patterson and Mike Ratu and Andy Smith - both look to be developing well."
Fax now have an eight day break before their next Northern Rail Cup date, at home to Keighley, with the small matter of Friday night's mouthwatering World Club Challenge warm up against Melbourne Storm next on the agenda.
"It doesn't get any easier, but everyone is buzzing in the changing rooms about Melbourne," said Calland.
"It's a matter of going out there, giving a good account of ourselves and making sure we don't let anyone down.
"I'm sure we won't."
Calland also confirmed he has installed veteran prop Paul Southern as club captain alongside on field general Sean Penkywicz, with David Larder acting as vice captain.
It was a model that served Fax well in 2007, with Larder and Damian Ball splitting the duties between them.
"Paul has been in the game a long time, he's come back from a year or so away and realised it's his last chance," said Calland.
"He has taken it with both hands and his enthusiasm is rubbing off on the other players. At one point yesterday he took three carries in one set.
"He's an old fashioned forward with a good pass and good footwork and I am really pleased with the way he has started the season.
"Larder's the same kind of character, massive experience and a great professional, and it seemed a logical move.
"Penky is not a talker, he leads by more by what he does on the field.
"When it comes down to it, they are all leaders anyway, it's just labels in the end."
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The full article contains 569 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.