York IMBRL v Halifax CRL
Match Report
9 March 2008 saw the first Scrum Down Under Tag Merit League fixture played, as Halifax CRL travelled to play York IMBRL at New Earswick. The newly formed league needed a good opening match, and these two teams delivered – what a thriller!
Halifax were secretly still smarting from a last minute defeat suffered at the hands of York the last time these two teams met in a heated affair at the Huntington Stadium. Recently reformed York were looking to utilise their experienced squad to secure a victory over an evidently undercooked 'Fax team.
York certainly had the better of the early exchanges of a physical game, racing into an early 8-0 lead as they capitalised on Halifax's generosity, the West Yorkshire side continually coughing up possession near their own line. Some fine scrambling defence by Fax, especially from young full back Geordie Watson, prevented York from running away with the game.
Halifax got themselves back into the game with a fine individual effort from dynamic forward Phil Whitaker. Struggling to clear their own lines, Whitaker surged onto a Richard Bedford pass and broke the York defensive line, and raced in from 60 yards out, coolly rounding the York full-back in the process. Scrum-half Rick Ambler converted, the first of an afternoon's perfect kicking display, to bring the scores to 8-6 in favour of the home side.
York surged further ahead with a brilliant team try, the ball being worked through several pairs of hands before being touched down under the posts, the conversion making it 14-6. Halifax grabbed a crucial score on the stroke of half-time, with diminutive half-back Jake Bedford darting through some tired York defence to touchdown, Ambler's conversion bringing the scores to 14-12.
The second half started brightly for York, more impressive handling in midfield paved the way for an easy score out wide, as Halifax's defence became stretched. At 18-12, the next try was vital, and it was Halifax who scored it. A York error from the kick off was pounced on by Ambler. From the resulting play the ball, Jake Bedford waltzed in for his second try, Ambler's third successful conversion tying the scores at 18. In this crucial period, nerves started to show – both sides were guilty of turning over possession, and Halifax had to rely on some resolute defence to hang on. York scored the next try, after Halifax had defended 3 consecutive sets on their own line. Importantly York missed the conversion, with this profligacy proving to be their downfall.
At this point, Halifax could have thrown in the towel, but instead they stood up to be counted. In particular, strong running from the imposing back-row trio of Mike Haigh, Nick Boothroyd and Pete Jones paved the way for Watson and Nat Greenwood to combine to send the impressive Jake Bedford in for a great hat-trick score, diving in under the post to draw the scores level. Another successful conversion put 'Fax into the lead for the first time at 24-22, and Fax were now in control, as they got back to basics in attack and put pressure on York in defence.
Strong running by Shaun Rothery, Phil Barnett and Sammy Outing gave Halifax good field position. Two huge Ambler bombs were spilled by York giving Halifax repeat sets; the pressure finally told, as fast hands from Watson, Haigh and Barnett sent winger Dale Webster in at the corner – it was a great finish from Webster who had a lot to do to score. Crucially, Ambler capped a perfect kicking display with a sublime touchline conversion to give Fax a 30-22 lead, meaning York needed two scores. York were unable to do this in the 10 minutes that remained, largely due to outstanding Fax defence, with captain Steven Sparks to the fore, ably supported by Jake Bedford and Ambler.
York did manage a consolation score, a midfield break from 20 yards out led to a score to the side of the post, York's rangy number 15 trampling over a desperate Ambler tackle in the process, with the added extras bringing the scoring on an extraordinary afternoon's rugby to an end.
The game was understandably scrappy at times, with a lot of handling errors from both teams. Halifax won the game in the final quarter with some smart attacking play and outstanding defence. York will feel aggrieved that they did not win the game, but there are signs that they will be a force in this season's Scrum Down Under Tag Merit League.
Halifax manager Nat Greenwood said of the game: "That was a good effort. There are definitely areas to work on, especially in attack. But I thought our defence was superb at times. We improved as the game went on, as our communication channels improved."
Captain Steve Sparks, who put in a massive 24 tackles, was realistic about the game: "It was our first hit-out of the season, and training hasn't been ideal. We won, which is the important thing. We will get better with time."
Halifax: Geordie Watson, Dale Webster, Phil Barnett, Steve Sparks ©, Phil O’Rielly, Rick Ambler, Jake Bedford, Nat Greenwood, Richard Bedford, Phil Whitaker, Pete Jones, Mike Haigh, Nick Boothroyd. Subs: Sammy Outing, Sean Rothery, Dave Fawcett, Craig Duckett, Marcus Hind.
Halifax Tries: Bedford (3), Dale Webster, Phil Whitaker
Goals: Ambler (5/5)
York Tries: Loftus (2), Ireland, Turner, Judge, Battle.
Goals: Enwright, Pearson
Scrum Down Under Man of the Match: Mike Haigh
Mortgage Search UK Hitman: Steve Sparks
Photos are available here.
