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Darlington MP 38 Halifax 31: Salvage operation falls short of success
HALIFAX were left kicking themselves after losing yet more ground on their fellow strugglers in National Three (North).
As poor as their first half display was, the second period showed that they do have the necessary fight and personnel to take games to the opposition and score more points than them.
However, when they give teams as much of a head start as they did Darlington Mowden Park then results such as Saturday's are always going to be on the cards.
Just where the players heads were in the opening 30 minutes or so is anybody's guess because they certainly weren't at Yiewsley Drive.
In fact, the first half display was so ragged that one die-hard committee member sought solace in England's hammering at the hands of the All Blacks in the clubhouse and was astonished to hear just how close the final outcome was.
From the moment stand off Jon Benson landed Darlington's first penalty after just three minutes, it was as though Halifax's season had rewound a couple of months as they continually missed tackles and struggled to get their hands on the ball.
There was a hint of a forward pass in the move that led to full back Gavin Painter carving a path to the line, but after the home side had broken up a rare Halifax excursion into their territory, there was still no excusing the way two players bottled out of clearing up a bouncing ball which allowed flanker Richard Ellis to gather up and score for a 13-0 lead.
A niggly contest saw Halifax fall further behind through Benson's penalty after which Gordon lofted a similar attempt wide.
Prop Paul Turner then continued his worrying habit of seeing yellow, his frustration reaching bursting point as he lashed out at an opponent with the obvious consequence.
Halifax were back to their full complement when the home side made it 23-0, Painter picking up and running in for Benson to convert, leaving Halifax on the ropes.
It was deep into stoppage time when the visitors realised they could make their superior forward power count and a concerted drive ended with strong running No8 Richard Brown grounding the ball, although it took the referee an age to make up his mind.
Gordon added the conversion and was then wide with a penalty attempt after winger Tim Mennell was taken out as Halifax finished the half in positive fashion.
That positivity continued into the second half with another fine drive enabling Dominic Moon to pile over, Gordon converting.
Tommy Gallagher was starting to show just how potent he can be with ball in hand as he linked up well with centre partner Danny McGee
Gordon then added a penalty to make it 23-17 and suddenly the unthinkable was becoming a reality.
Darlington responded well and although there was another suspicion of a forward pass in the move, they swept the ball across the pitch for prop Dan Miller to cross.
MATCH FACTS
Darlington MP: Painter, Goforth, McKenzie, Snook, Clegg, Benson, Lithgo, Brown, Murray, Miller, Monument, Stewart, Taylor, Ellis, Daly. Replacements: Appleby (Brown, 49), Young, Dannatt (Daly, 69), Carpenter (Stewart, 59), Featherstone (Snook, 74)
Tries: Painter (2), Ellis, Miller (2)
Conversions: Benson (2)
Penalties: Benson (3)
Drop Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Murray (technical, 75)
Red Cards: None
Halifax: Gordon, Mennell, McGee, Gallagher, Brear, Barker, I Worsley, Blades, S Worsley, Turner, Cammiss, Piercy, Moon, Hall, Brown. Replacements: Townend, Emmerson (I Worsley, 69), Goodwin (Cammiss, 30), Maycock (S Worsley 74)
Tries: Brown, Moon, McGee, Penalty try
Conversions: Gordon (4)
Penalties: Gordon
Drop Goals: None
Yellow Cards: Turner (foul play 26)
Red Cards: None
Referee: M Reid (RFU)
STARMAN
Bearing in mind that the first half was a write-off as far as Halifax are concerned, the improved display in the second period did at least bring some candidates to the fore.
And none more so that centre Tommy Gallagher.
The rugby league convert looked like a fish out of water during the first half, but after it there seemed to be the proverbial flicking on of the switch.
After the break he was fully involved whether it was breaking tackles, making tackles or producing some fine sleight of hand passes like the one that put Danny McGee in for his try.
McGee himself seemed to be struggling for inspiration in the first half.
But, like all good captains, he led by example in the second period with some positive running, strong-arm tackling and a morale-boosting try which gave everybody some belief.
And Fraser Hall once again showed why he is such a valuable player to Halifax.
His effort is 100 per cent for 80 minutes, and even when things aren't going well, he never lets his work rate drop whether that be in defending or taking the ball forward.
PLAYER POINTS
WORKOUT WAREHOUSE PLAYER OF THE SEASON: 11 Oli Marns; 8 Dom Castle; 6 Richard Brown, Paul Turner, Danny McGee; 5 Craig Emmerson; 4 Ian Spence, Danny McGee, Gareth Brear, Ryan Piercy; 3 Adam Blades, Dave Hall, Fraser Hall, Tommy Gallagher; 2 Dominic Moon; 1 Josh Cammiss, Steve Worsley, Craig Barker, Rob Townend.
Poor tackling then cost Halifax dear five minutes later as Miller again strode in, Benson adding the conversion for a 35-17 lead.
But Halifax still had plenty to offer and when Park were pulled up for offside, Gordon launched a kick to the corner.
A good lineout saw the ball worked well and Gallagher broke a tackle before slipping a superb inside pass to McGee who side-stepped to create space then ran for the line, leaving Gordon with a straightforward conversion.
Darlington felt the pressure as hooker Howard Murray saw yellow, but it was Brown who offended next, his high tackle giving Benson the chance to make it 38-24 with the penalty.
Again Halifax contemplated going home empty-handed, but after summoning up one last charge at the home line, Darlington were forced into illegal means to stop another huge drive right on the whitewash leaving the official with no option but to award the penalty try.
That gave Halifax the honour of a first four-try bonus point of the season and they doubled that with Gordon’s conversion bringing them to within seven points of Park’s total.
And there was still time for them to threaten an equalising try as Darlington back-pedalled only for the final whistle to bring an end to their efforts.
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