Fax well beaten in capital

Halifax suffered their heaviest defeat of the season when they were beaten 42-10 by league leaders Toronto Wolfpack at the New River Stadium in London on Saturday evening.

A spectacular first-half showing from Toronto saw them open up a 30-4 lead and the Wolfpack scored another couple of tries in the second period to register a 10th successive win.

Toronto got off to a fantastic start, scoring after just 10 minutes as the returning Cory Paterson crashed over the line before Liam Kay grounded a Brierley cross-field kick with Brierley converting both scores.

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Toronto were showing their immense attacking talents but Fax’s defence was slack and allowed former Shay hooker Bob Beswick to dart over from close range, Brierley again added the extras.

Fax had some rare possession in Toronto territory but couldn’t turn it into points and two tries in the space of three minutes later on hit them hard.

Andy Ackers broke the line and off loaded for Brierley to touch down under the sticks. Soon after Fax were caught out by a quick dummy-half run from hooker Ackers. Brierley nailed both conversions.

In the final minute, Halifax eventually put some points on the board when Conor McGrath finished a Ben Johnston breakaway in the left corner. Back rower Shane Grady missed the kick after Steve Tyrer had gone off injured.

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Shortly after the restart, Halifax conceded two penalties in a minute to gift Paterson the field position to charge over for his second try. Brierley maintained his form with the boot by adding the conversion.

Chances were few and far between in the second period with Halifax struggling for metres against the tough Toronto line whilst the Wolfpack seemed content to see out their lead, regularly kicking to touch when in attacking range.

With a dozen minutes remaining, Halifax posted a consolation try as Johnston took a clever chip kick over the top and set up Ben Heaton to score. Grady converted.

Toronto ended with a flourish, Kay finding room on the left flank after a slick move. Brierley added the conversion to round off an impressive display.

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Toronto Wolfpack: Wallace, Pownall, Higson, Rawsthorne, Kay; McCrone, Brierley; Emmitt, Beswick, Sims; Paterson, Bussey, Lussick. Interchanges: Sidlow, Hopkins, Ackers, Whiting.

Halifax: Sharp, Saltonstall, Tyrer, Heaton, McGrath; Murrell, Johnston, Fairbank, Maher; Butler, Grady, Grix. Interchanges: Kaye, Douglas, Green, E Morris.

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