Halifax cling on for victory over Sheffield

The home side, desperate for a result after last week’s last-play defeat by Batley, were off the mark after three minutes.

Half-back Ben Johnston put second row Adam Robinson clear on the left and he timed his pass to the supporting centre Steve Tyrer to perfection.

Tyrer converted for a 6-0 lead which was cut to 6-4 when Sheffield centre Menzie Yere danced over on the Eagles’ first visit to the Halifax 20.

Dominic Brambani’s conversion attempt drifted wide and when Halifax regained their attacking foothold they were in again, Tommy Saxton touching down after Johnston had split the Eagles’ defence.

Tyrer missed the conversion but was on target when the wing Gareth Potts pounced for a try after full-back Ryan Fieldhouse had opened up the Eagles defence.

Leading 16-4, Halifax conceded a second try on 24 minutes when Matt Garside ploughed over the line, Brambani narrowing the half-time deficit to 16-10.

Halifax moved 18-10 ahead in the second half with a Tyrer penalty before a Saxton try, converted by Tyrer, pushed them 24-10 in front.

Sheffield eventually broke through to score two tries in two minutes through Garside and Scott Turner, both goaled by Brambani, to trail 24-22. Halifax’s Luke Ambler and Brambani then traded late touchdowns as the result remained in the balance until the final seconds.

Halifax: Fieldhouse; Saxton, Tyrer, Heaton, Potts; Murrell, Johnston; Ambler, Kaye, Bracek, Manning, Robinson, Adamson. Substitutes: Brown, Tonks, Davies, Divorty

Sheffield Eagles: Laulu-Togagae; Turner, Yere, Ford, Taulapapa; Walker, Brambani; Scott, Henderson, Stringer, Knowles, Green, Straugheir. Substitutes: Owens, Palmer, Garside, Squires

Referee: G Stokes (RFL).