Keighley vs Halifax

Halifax go over under the posts

Halifax put last week’s derby loss to Dewsbury behind them by defeating Keighley Cougars 28 – 14 at Cougar Park.

The win for Karl Harrison’s side ended the Cougars’ unbeaten run of five matches in all competitions.

Fax went 12 – 0 up inside the first 15 minutes, until Jode Sheriffe’s try for Keighley sparked an attempted comeback.

Manning’s try just after the break was cancelled out when the Cougars went back-to-back to try and snare victory from their West Yorkshire rivals.

But, two tries in the final 12 minutes was enough to ensure victory and get back to winning ways.

Former Wakefield and Hull KR winger, Peter Fox, made his debut playing outside of centre, Dane Manning.

It took just seven minutes for Ross Divorty to accept a short pass which unlocked the Keighley defence to begin the scoring.

The dose was doubled six minutes later when Divorty’s offload sent Ryan Fieldhouse racing away under the posts.

Back came the Cougars just before the half hour mark, a miscued kick on the last tackle was pounced upon by Jode Sheriffe. Jones’ boot halved Fax’s lead going into the dressing rooms at the break.

Whatever Harrison said at halftime must have had an immediate impact on his side, Tommy Saxton’s break got them within 20 metres of Keighley’s line. The position allowed Manning to touch down. Tyrer missed the conversion, which proved to be the only one missed by the former St Helens man.

Fax’s lead motivated the Cougars to get themselves within two points of their opponents. James Haley collected Jones’ short pass to cross, and James Feather burrowed over from close range. Jones missed both kicks which failed to nudge the home side in front.

It would prove to be costly for Paul March’s men, as Luke Ambler snapped up Scott Murrell’s offload to crash over. Tyrer’s conversion denied the Cougars a bonus point.

The final nail in the coffin came two minutes from time, Paul Mennell’s dummy allowed him to slice his way through to round off the scoring and cement fourth place in the table.

Halifax: 1. Ryan Fieldhouse 26. Peter Fox 11. Dane Manning 3. Steve Tyrer 21. Tommy Saxton 6. Scott Murrell 18. Ben Johnston 8. Tony Tonks 9. Ben Kaye 10. Luke Ambler 12. Andy Bracek 27. Ross Divorty 13. Luke Adamson Interchange: 14. Paul Mennell 17. Ben Davies 23. Callum Casey 28. Jack Spencer

Tries: Luke Ambler (68) Ross Divorty (7), Ryan Fieldhouse (13), Dane Manning (41) Paul Mennell (78)

Conversions: Steve Tyrer 4/5

Keighley: 21. Jesse Sheriffe 2. Richie Barnett 19. Danny Lawton 4. James Haley 5. Paul White 6. Danny Jones 7. Paul Handforth 8. Andy Shickell 9. James Feather 10. Sean Hesketh 11. Josh Lynam 12. Brendon Rawlins 13. Ash Lindsay Interchange: 16. Jode Sheriffe 17. Ben Sager 18. Neil Cherryholme 34. Luke Haigh

Tries:  James Feather (63) James Haley (47) Jode Sheriffe (29)

Conversions: Danny Jones 1/3