Eagles v Fax: Visitors pay for missed first half chances

Former Halifax winger Rob Worrincy, twice, Menzie Yere and Cory Aston all crossed as Mark Aston’s side turned a 0-0 half time stalemate into a match-winning 20-0 lead.

It was a remarkable reversal of fortunes, with the first half a tale of missed chances for Richard Marshall’s visitors.

Winger Will Sharp could not find Steve Tyrer with the line open, prop Mitch Cahalane could not reel in Luke Ambler’s offload in front of the posts and half back Gareth Moore twice split the line without finding players in support.

The Eagles had their moments too, Aston and Michael Knowles both being held up over the line, but it was Halifax who showed the greater threat.

Winger James Saltonstall had a try ruled out for a forward pass, before setting up full back Ben Johnston for a seemingly certain score, only for the full back to slip inches from the whitewash as the half ended 0-0.

Halifax began the second half with another disallowed try, for Ryan Maneely, but it was Sheffield who took the lead on 42 minutes through Rob Worrincy, although Knowles’ missed conversion left them leading just 4-0.

They doubled their advantage on the next set, Menzie Yere scoring from a high kick, but again the kick went wide.

But when Aston dived on the ball to score a third, Knowles obliged to make it 14-0 with 48 minutes played before Worrincy’s converted second put Sheffield 20-0 ahead.

A late touchdown from Elliott Minchella, converted by Knowles, sealed victory.

There was never any way back for the visitors, who grabbed a consolation try from Sharp, converted by Tyrer, but were left to reflect on their first half profligacy.

Sheffield: Laulu-Togagae; Worrincy, Yere, Tyson, Blackmore; Aston, Hewitt; Wheeldon, Carlile, Neal, Knowles, Straugheir, James. Subs: Fozard, Stringer, Mexico, Minchella

Halifax: Johnston; Sharp, Smeaton, Tyrer, Saltonstall; G. Moore, Murrell; Ambler, Kaye, Cahalane, Manning, Barber, Fairbank. Subs: Tangata, Maneely, R. Moore, Robinson

Referee: C. Kendall