Fax ease into next round of Challenge Cup against Recs

Richard Marshall’s side, experiencing a difficult start to the league season, were never in danger against the conquerors of London Skolars in the previous round, although the amateurs showed plenty of courage and skill early on before fading.

The visitors, showing a raft of changes to the side that played against Leigh in the Championship last weekend, began clunkily and didn’t register their first try until Ed Barber ploughed over from a Gareth Moore pass after nine minutes.

Centre Steve Tyrer kicked the conversion for a 6-0 lead, but Halifax didn’t add to that until the 25th minute when Connor Robinson slipped through the defence to touchdown, Tyrer doubling the lead.

The visitors began to get their attacking game in gear at that point, Miles Greenwood scoring before the excellent Adam Tangata raced 50 metres to touch down.

Gareth Moore then danced his way over from close range before the young hooker Brandon Moore grabbed a try on his senior debut, Tyrer finishing the half with five kicks from six for a 34-0 lead.

The second half was predictably one way traffic as the home side began to wilt, Luke Ambler and Connor Robinson both scoring straight after the break to take the score out to 44-0.

Centre Sam Smeaton touched down after scooping up a loose pass, Gareth Moore converting in the absence of Tyrer, who had limped off, before Jake Eccleston scored, Connor Robinson converting from touch for a 56-0 lead with 18 minutes remaining.

A late flurry of scores from Jacob Fairbank, Ambler and Richard and Gareth Moore, three converted by Robinson, rounded things off.

Pilkington Recs: K. Knapper; A. Knapper, Hallsall, Stanley, Duffy; G. Smith, Lynch; J. Smith, Bostock, Charlson, Regis, Rees, Roughley, Garrity. Subs: Nesbitt, Peers, Gravener, Keys

Halifax: Greenwood; Eccleston, Smeaton, Tyrer, Sharp; G. Moore, C. Robinson; A. Robinson, Maneely, R. Moore, Barber, Tangata, Fairbank. Subs: Ambler, Bracek, B. Moore, Morris