2007/2008 Match Reports

Saturday 22nd March

Halifax Irish 28 - 22 Sharlston Rovers 

Leaders Halifax Irish moved within touching distance of a first ever Premier title with a stunning victory over unbeaten Sharlston Rovers at Savile Park.

In an enthralling encounter the lead switched hands seven times with Graham Charlesworth’s outstanding 90 metre solo try six minutes from time proving to be the match breaking point. 

The Irish now have two games remaining, Clayton away and Keighley Albion at home, if they win both the title is theirs. 

In a tense opening it was Charlesworth who put the hosts 2-0 up with a 15^th minute penalty. Rovers replied on quarter time with a James Byrom try in the corner courtesy of good work from Carl Savile and Alex Muff. 

Three minutes later the Irish replied as man of the match Chris Holroyd linked with Lee Brook to score on the right flank after Joss Bentley’s powerful break. Charlesworth added a fine conversion to put his side 8-4 up. 

Back came Rovers with a Matty Bell try as he followed up his own kick through and added the extras for the lead at 10-8. With Kevin Dickens, Craig Miles and Steve Hall running and offloading well it was Rovers who were threatening to take control.

The tenacious Irish defence, led by player coach Anthony Irvine, Luke Brown and Michael Holden was proving to be resolute though and Rovers couldn’t breach the rearguard.

On the stroke of half time the Irish mounted an assault on the Rovers line with Kevin Smith, Luke Brown and Chris Muxlow all denied by last ditch tackles. They did get some rewards in the final minute though as Charlesworth’s deadly boot brought his side back level with another successful penalty. 

The second half began with the visitors in fine form, early pressure eventually leading to a Gareth Davies try eight minutes in.

In typical fashion the Irish once again responded, Holroyd ghosting through the defence for a try on 53 minutes. Charlesworth maintained his impeccable kicking form with another conversion.

On 66 minutes Gareth Davies showed his undoubted class with a fine try in the corner, Bell crucially missed another conversion but his side led 18-16.

The turning point of the game came on 71 minutes as the Irish raced into a 28-18 lead with two tries in three minutes. Try machine Michael Reed raced over from Chris Norman’s excellent approach play after Holroyd had released the pacy centre. Charlesworth booted over a magnificent touchline conversion. 

On the restart Charlesworth scored what could prove the most crucial try of his career, racing the length of the field from a set play from a scrum. His fifth kick of the afternoon looked like settling the game in the hosts favour.

However, the fighting Rovers spirit was epitomised in the final minute as Byrom crashed over for his second try. Bell couldn’t add the extras and time ran out for the visitors as the Irish dealt a massive blow to Andy Fisher’s sides’ title aspirations. 

The final whistle sparked scenes of celebration and the shattered Irish troops reflected on what could prove to be their most notable ever victory.

Saturday 8th December

Brighouse Rangers A 0-68 Halifax Irish

Fee Cup

A turbulent week for Brighouse Rangers, the Nation al Conference side are still reeling from their expulsion from the top flight, was compounded by a comprehensive 13 try Fee Cup defeat by neighbours Halifax Irish. The holders, looking to defend their crown for the third successive year, were simply in scintillating form against an outclassed but spirited Rangers side.

Rumours that the hosts would field their Conference side proved to be unfounded, in fact they had to play the opening quarter with just 12 men before a few latecomers made up their compliment. However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom as the outstanding Nick Barraclough epitomised his sides fighting spirit along with impressive hooker Scott Bradley and tireless forward Mark Barton.

For the Irish it was Kevin Smith who claimed the man of the match award with an industrious performance in the unaccustomed role of prop forward. The ex-Boothtown Terrier has proved to be a tremendous acquisition and his performance was a timely boost in the absence of his former team mate, Graham Charlesworth, now recovering from injury.

Player coach Anthony Irvine set the ball rolling as earl y as the fourth minute, winning the race to Chris Holroyd’s last tackle kick. Lee Brook converted the first of his three conversions.

Three minutes later Jake McCarthy crashed over after good work from Irvine and Will Midgley before Holroyd marked a fine performance with his first try on 10 minutes.

Barraclough and Simon Wolk made good runs to take the hosts into enemy territory, however, a counter attack saw Holroyd b ag his second on the quarter mark after Michael Reed’s neat offload.

McCarthy’s 60 metre burst was brought  to an end with Mark Horne’s tremendous tackle, only for th Irish to add another try on the next set as James Yarker sent Chris Moran over for a 30-0 interval lead.

The second half saw the one way traffic continue, Brook plunging over for a well deserved try just four minutes after the restart. Chris Muxlow added 20 the extras before the impressive Luke Brown scored a super solo try moments later.

His brother Aaron then got in on the act with a fine long range effort down the touchline. On 57 minutes Reed bagged his second of the afternoon, courtesy of Lee Gleeson’s blindside switch and sublime handling skills. Holroyd’s touchline kick brought up the half century mark.

Rangers rallied and it was ten minutes before the visitors added the next try, Luke Brown proving too strong for several would be tacklers with another long range effort. Holroyd once again converting.