Kaye returns as Fax aim to tame the Lions

Kaye was a late withdrawal against the Broncos after pulling up minutes before kick off, forcing coach Richard Marshall to include a fourth forward, Elliot Morris, on the bench as Fax ground out an impressive 26-16 success.

But while Kaye’s fellow number nine Brandon Moore caught the eye with an impressive 70 minutes, broken only by a sin binning for dissent, Fax will revert to their usual two-hooker tactic against the Lions.

“Ben’s calf tightened up in warm up, so he did the right thing and pulled out,” said Marshall.

“Brandon was outstanding. I wasn’t happy with the yellow card, and I’ve discussed that with him, but they targeted him and he was up to the challenge.

“We now know he’s capable of doing a full game, which potentially would give us the option of putting a back on the bench, but for this week Ben will come back into the 17.

“They complement each other very well and they add some variety to our game; Brandon’s very dynamic, but Ben probably manages the game plan a little bit better.

“That might be the only change. Simon Grix and Shane Grady both have injury issues, but I’m hopeful they’ll both play, and Brandon Douglas’s back tightened up, so we’ll monitor him as well.

“We’re expecting to have James Green available again from Castleford as well, which would be a positive.”

The Lions have caused issues for Fax in recent years, winning at the Shay two years ago and then dealing what seemed like a fatal blow to Fax’s top four chances with a win at Station Road last summer.

“They seem to know how to get under our skin,” said Marshall.

“They’ve lost a few players but they still run those attacking shapes very well and they score points in every game they play.”

Halifax have rearranged their postponed Easter Monday fixture at Dewsbury for Sunday, April 22 (3.0). They have moved their snowed-off fixture at Batley to Saturday, June 2 (3.0).

“It will give us the chance to try and maintain our momentum,” said Marshall.