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Halifax 32 Huddersfield Giants 18: Kicking not a worry - Coach
HALIFAX boss Matt Calland has tipped his side to get their goal kicking up to scratch by the time the Northern Rail Cup kicks off at the beginning of next month.
Fax beat a young Huddersfield side 32-18 to win yesterday's Infirmary Cup encounter at the Shay, outscoring their Super League neighbours by six tries to three.
Australian half back Ben Black kicked four conversions from six attempts, landing two from the sideline but slicing a couple of simpler shots, as Calland continues the search for a permanent successor to record-breaking marksman Graham Holroyd, who has joined Swinton for 2009.
"It's still a problem," admitted Calland, who expects centre James Haley, on loan Leeds half back Gareth Moore and injury-hit playmaker Mick Govin - who was a late withdrawal yesterday with a hamstring problem - to eventually challenge Black for the job.
"Ben kicked quite well at times yesterday, but after Holroyd you have a tough act to follow in that area.
"Moore might come in and provide an answer, but as coaches we need to improve the kickers we already have too.
"But Govin can kick, Haley can kick.
"There are a few options for us there, but James has had a cortisone injection in his knee and we don't want to aggravate that.
"At the moment, I think James would probably be the first choice if he was fit.
"But we'll be doing extra kicking sessions through the season and whoever is showing the best form will take them.
"I'm confident we'll find someone who can do a good job for us."
Kicking aside, Calland seemed relatively pleased after his side overturned an 18-16 interval deficit to run out convincing winners against a Huddersfield side composed largely of last season's under 18s graduates.
"It was always going to be tough for us," said Calland.
"For their young players that was like their Challenge Cup final and full credit to them, I thought they were absolutely fantastic.
"They were full of guts and enthusiasm and they made us look poor at times during that first half.
"But we turned it round after the break, we looked more fluent with the ball and defensively we looked quite strong as well.
"There is still a lot to work on though, we are nowhere near the finished article."
Calland again picked out full back Miles Greenwood, who continued his impressive start to the year, while wingman Rob Worrincy fought a tremendous running battle with opposite number Jermaine McGilvary.
"It was a bit like a swop shop out there at times," said Calland, who rang a raft of positional changes over the 80 minutes.
"I think Miles played just about everywhere in the backs and showed up really well.
"McGilvary reminded me a bit of Henderson Gill, he was certainly difficult to get hold of, but I was impressed with Rob too.
"He made a couple of errors but he works hard and he's got so much pace.
"I'm looking forward to seeing him in some open spaces."
THE funeral of Halifax’s record-breaking half back Stan Kielty will take place at Halifax Parish Church on Friday (1.30).
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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