Halifax RUFC end barren spell

Halifax v Stanley Rodllians in Yorkshire Shield. Luke Sturman.

Conditions were little better in East Yorkshire with the pitch like a swimming pool in places but Halifax overcame a late reshuffle to upset the promotion hopefuls.

Goole had stated the day in second spot, and they kicked off the match in fine fashion.

Using their pace on the flanks, they were able to open the scoring and would have added a second but for the superb efforts of Ben Maxwell, who knocked the ball loose as Goole crossed the try line.

Halifax, who had gone into the game on the back of six defeats in a row, began to work their way back into the game through their pack.

A series of drives earned the position for player-coach Giles Hetherington to sneak over. Josh Greenwood-MacDonald converted to level the score.

With everything to play for after the break Halifax went for it and scored through Luke Sturman.

However a sustained 20-minute period of pressure in the Goole 22 failed to yield any more points - allowing the hosts to gain confidence.

With the light fading, Goole threw everything at the Halifax defence but could not find a way through.

Even when they were down to 14-men after Sturman was sin binned, Halifax tackled with heart and intensity to deny Goole.

Halifax Vandals maintained their title push in Yorkshire Four with a 27-7 success at Sheffield Oaks.

They fell behind 7-0 early on but were 12-7 up by the break and pulled away to win comfortably.

The home matches involving Old Crossleyans, Heath and Old Brodleians in Yorkshire One were all postponed due to waterlogged pitches.

Heath’s pitch at West Vale was passed fit in the morning for Bridlington’s visit.

However, the deluge got worse and at a 1.15pm inspection both captains and the referee agreed that conditions had deteriorated too much.

The Brid players had a bite to eat, then jumped back on the coach in the hope of watching the top of the table game between Malton and Norton and Bradford and Bingley, which the visitors won 22-10.

The Old Rishworthians versus Leodiensians game in Yorkshire Two was also off. Attempts were made to switch the fixtures to Leos, but their Alwoodley ground was unplayable too.