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'Embarrassing' end to difficult season for Halifax RUFC
It seemed inevitable.
However, the fact that Halifax were forced to forfeit this afternoon's scheduled National Three (North) clash at Loughborough Students can still be viewed as a major embarrassment in a season packed with humiliating experiences.
The truth of the matter is that coach Dave Harrison has been working under the handicap of a paper-thin squad since he took over from Rhys Morgan in the early weeks of the campaign.
All it needed were long-term injuries and unavailabilites and this latest scenario was always going to loom large.
It had only been the introduction of four players from the Vikings – the club's third team – that allowed them to complete fixtures at Leicester Lions and Preston Grasshoppers.
But further disruptions ahead of today's trip to the East Midlands proved too great a rip to patch over.
It is the first time that Halifax have had to forfeit a game in their proud history. A repeat against Harrogate in their final game next Tuesday evening would mean curtains for their tenure in rugby union's league system.
Harrison had worked, and cajoled, tirelessly in an effort to prevent this scenario from becoming reality.
However, even he had to accept defeat.
"It is embarrassing but we just haven't got enough bodies standing," said Harrison.
"Craig Barker has been playing with a hand injury when he shouldn't have been and we still have Dom Castle as a long term absentee.
"Now Richard Brown is unavailable because he is getting married while Paul Turner has been having treatment on his back problem.
"That has left us with Adam Blades as the only recognised prop.
"At a push we could have drafted players in from the Vikings but it would have had to be in the front row and that would have been too dangerous.
"The last thing we want is for players to suffer potentially serious injuries. The club does have a duty of care.
"Paul Turner is suffering from a bulging disc in his back but it is bulging inwards rather than outwards which is giving him real problems in the scrums.
"Also, he is due to go training with Yorkshire next week and, after the terrible time he has been through it would be unfair to risk his injury getting worse and preventing him from missing out on what will be a big end to the season for him."
This latest bombshell comes just days after Harrison organised a weekend bonding session for the players which the coach said had given everybody a boost.
"It is something we should have done before Christmas if I am honest," added Harrison. "But at that time, taking over from Rhys and having some players leave, I had all on to keep things going.
"But we got together in a different environment, went paintballing and had a good night out.
"It worked very well and there were plenty of smiles on faces after what had been a pretty depressing season for everybody.
"I think it is vital that, despite what might be happening on the pitch, you keep a good spirit and that had shown signs of cracking recently."
Harrison is confident he can pull enough players together to name a squad for the final game of the season against Harrogate at Ovenden Park next Tuesday.
If he fails then the repercussions will be serious with Halifax losing their league status and facing the prospect of having to re-apply for membership.
But Harrison has had assurances that players who are carrying knocks are prepared to play through the pain barrier for one last time.
"It will be the last hurrah and the players want to go out there and give it their best shot," said Harrison.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
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