Marshall: Attention turns to attack in build up to Bash showdown

Halifax coach Richard Marshall will focus on his side's attacking game this week in the run up to next Sunday's crucial Summer Bash clash with Toulouse at Blackpool (3.0).

Fax beat Rochdale Hornets 28-2 at the Shay on Sunday to stay fifth in the Championship, level on points with London and Toulouse in the race for a top four finish.

Marshall’s side, looking to recover from their Challenge Cup loss at Featherstone 10 days earlier, dominated Hornets in defence but struggled for long spells to find top gear in attack.

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“We got a bit frustrated with the ball; in that sense it wasn’t our best performance,” said Marshall.

“We shut down their key players, we shut down their key plays and we did everything we prepared to do as far as Rochdale were concerned.

“The focus this week will probably switch back to us and our performance with the ball as a priority.

“As a part time club, we can’t do everything, we have to prioritise and there were things we needed to fix up defensively in the run up to this game.

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“We’ve done that, ticked that box, and we’ll move on to other parts of our game.

“Defensively we were very good and our discipline was good, but our discipline with the ball was probably what let us down.

“When to pass, when not to pass.

“We need to have a bit more about us in that department.

“The players know what they need to do; there were six or seven individuals spoke in that room after the game and they said exactly what I’d have said, so they’re well aware as a group.

“The test will be if they learn from it.”

The expected appearance of the Castleford prop Brandon Douglas, who has joined Fax on a season-long loan, failed to materialise, with the 20 year old recovering from a bicep problem.

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Fax did give a start to Salford forward Daniel Murray on dual registration, with the former Warrington junior turning in two solid spells in the middle.

Marshall was also without winger James Saltonstall with a calf problem, while hooker Ben Kaye sat out the game with a groin injury that is now expected to sideline him over the next month.

“Brandon Douglas had a bit of an injury,” confirmed Marshall, who welcomed back the influential player-coach Simon Grix after a lengthy lay off with an elbow injury.

“He could be available next week, along with Saltonstall, but Ben Kaye’s going to be a few weeks now.

“Brandon Moore played most of the game at hooker and I was pleased with him.”