Halifax Irish Rugby League

Wednesday 30th April;

Meltham 6 - Halifax Irish 16

Halifax Irish Under 12's travelled to Meltham for a midweek fixture believing they had to secure a draw to win the premier division of the U12's league. Meltham crossed early for the first try of the evening. With the early score 6 - 0 Irish picked themselves up after the journey. Luke Stocks following determined work from many scored out wide. Again the Irish battled on with all their might as a team to give Daniel Hoyle opportunity to cross also just before the half time whistle leaving the score 6 - 10. The weather took a turn for the worse which led to the home side not adapting to the conditions, which the Irish overcame and carried on with a fantastic team performance for their final League fixture of the season. Josh MacDonald sealed the victory for the Irish to become worthy champions. Sweeney converting 2 out of 3 to bring the final score to 6 - 16. A deserved victory. The team are pictured immediately following the match.

Halifax Irish Junior Rugby League are recruiting for all teams for the 2008 - 2009 season. All newcomers welcomed. For further details please contact Vicky MacDonald, Halifax 833923. The new summer season for the Under 8's commences this weekend. A fun day/end of season presentation will be being held on 8th June. Further details will be advertised.

Sunday 27th April

Townville 0 - Halifax Irish 36

Halifax Irish Under 12's travelled to Townville for the final weekend's fixture of the season to face a close League rival in a double header. From the offset Irish maintained their defence with the whole team working hard. Townville repeatedly tried to get out of their own half to no avail. Bibs Mahmood scored four tries during the match which was a predominantly Irish fixture. Josh MacDonald, Daniel Cockroft and Daniel Hoyle also crossed. Ryan Sweeney converting 4 from 7.

Sunday 20th April

Halifax Irish 18 - Siddal 6

Halifax Irish U12's faced Siddal at the weekend in the Halifax Cup Final. Irish received the ball from the kick off. Theo Tooth, James Gill and Matthew Demnyk drove the ball back to the half way. With another two drives Ran Sweeney found the opportunity to place an excellant cross field kick to the far corner. Siddal managed to catch it. Fortunately chasers Richard Partington and Alexander Smith were quickly behind the ball and forced the Siddal player back over his own line. Siddals' drop out fell into the arms of Joe Waldron who quickly returned the ball back into Siddals half. Another strong drive by Tooth, who then made a quick play the ball. Daniel Cockroft scooped from dummy half and then passed the ball to the left. The ball continued to pass through two more sets of hands and finally to Shohaib Mahmood who dived in at the corner. Sweeney lined up the conversion a metre from the touch, putting the ball through the uprights with ease. Siddal worked hard but the Irish defence continued to keep them in their own half time and time again. Siddal broke the line only twice but fullback Kieran Nicholl saved the day with two excellant tackles. The blues looked for weakness in the Irish defence and repeatedly drilled the ball over to winger Callum Gomes trying to put the much improved player under pressure. Gomes was equal to the task. Irish decided it was time to put on the pressure with good runs up the middle. Mahmood again went in for the ball, there was no stopping him once he received it, the centre scored his second. Sweeney again successful with the conversion. The second half started with a 12-0 scoreline, the Irish began to look tired after their sterling performance in the first, allowing Siddal to lift their heads to try to increase the pressure, time after time they pundered the Irish line. Angus Hirst, Luke Stocks and the rest of the Irish pack worked tirelessly with great determination, trying hard not to allow a score. It took Siddals best player, Cruise Leeming to step his way through a gap and over the line for a converted try. It was never too late for Siddal to try to even the scores but after another strong Irish attack Man of the Match Josh MacDonald finally broke the camels back. Good runs by Daniel Hoyle, Stocks and Smith who was tackled at the half way point and a metre in from the touch. MacDonald took his chance and scooped to the blind side sending the markers the wrong way and then out running the cover defence to score wide of the posts. Sweeney kicked his third conversion. Siddal never gave but substitutes Alex MacDonald, Lewis Hanson and Tyler Balmforth came on with fresh legs for the Irish to help defend a fantastic victory and allow the Irish to pick up their second piece of silverware of the season! A fabulous all round performance from the Irish deserving them the victory.

Wednesday 16th April

Victoria Rangers 8 - Halifax Irish 30.

On Wednesday evening, 16th April, Halifax Irish Under 12's played a midweek game away to Victoria Rangers. Coming away with a 30-8 victory. But it wasn't all plain sailing for the visiting team who had to defend strongly against a much improved Rangers side who went in front with an easy penalty kick in front of the sticks.

Shohaib Mahmood scored the first try of the evening following team work with Richard Partington, Ryan Sweeney missed with a difficult kick making the score 2 -4. Rangers hit back with 2 of their key players running the ball well which led to their only try, successfully converted. Just before the break Irish came back with a strong run to the corner by Josh MacDonald. Again the conversion proved difficult for Sweeney.

In the second period Irish adjusted their defensive pattern to close down the opposition out wide. Thus preventing Rangers from scoring any more points for the remainder of the game. The Rangers players heads dropped, and the gates opened for Mahmood to score his second, this time the 2 points were successfully added by Sweeney. Good drive work from Theo Tooth, Angus Hirst and Matthew Demnyk opened up spaces for Luke Stocks to score his first ever try. Sweeney missed the wide conversion but that he made up for with 2 tremendous kicks later in the game. The next try came after Callum Gomes made a crunching tackle which led to the ball being spilt. Joe Waldron scooped from the back of the scrum and sprinted 40 metres to the line. Sweeney converting. Man of the Match Daniel Hoyle worked extremely hard along with Daniel Cockroft and James Gill, driving the ball down the middle of the park to allow good hands from Lewis Hanson, Tyler Balmforth and Kieran Nicholl to put Mahmood over for his hattrick.

The final points of the day leaving the result Victoria Rangers 8 - Halifax Irish 30.

Sunday 6th April

West Riding Youth Supplementary Cup Final - Under 12's

Halifax Irish 30 - Clayton 4

Halifax Irish Under 12's were worthy winners in Sunday's Supplementary Cup final against Clayton at Emley Moor after a sterling performance by all throughout the 40 minutes. The team arrived early ready for the match which was set to be a real derby given that Clayton managed to just overcome them the week before. From the offset Irish were strong and readily kept the Clayton defence from leaving their own half. Great determination from Irish led to Daniel Cockroft earning himself the first try of the final, to the applaud of the many spectators from throughout the Club who had travelled to see the team deservedly earning the Silverware.

Time and time again the Irish went over to the joy of the crowd battling to see who had crossed the line. Great work by Joe Waldron and Alexander Smith led to Bibs Mahmood keeping his reputation and scoring the first of his brace of tries. Irish never tired and kept up with the pace outclassing the opposition. Daniel Hoyle powered over following good work from Matthew Demnyk, Angus Hirst and James Gill. Lewis Hanson and Callum Gomes both defended well out wide for the ball to be spilt and regathered by Kieran Nicholl to take the ball closer to the posts for Theo Tooth to run on to a well timed pass to crash over near the posts. The final try of the match came after Bibs Mahmood got caught just before the line . With a quick play the ball Josh MacDonald sneaked over in the corner. Successful conversions were kicked by Ryan Sweeney, unlucky with one hitting the crossbar, Sweeney also used his kicking well in the field of play, this almost led to a try in the corner with a well positioned cross field kick with Richard Partington and Alexander Smith both diving for the ball. Unfortunately this was knocked forward denying Alex MacDonald the chance to touch it down clearly.

Following the match new team sponsors, the New Inn, Mount Tabor, welcomed the players, families and supporters to a celebration which was welcomed by all. The New Inn also kindly purchased new polo shirts for the team for the occasion. Other sponsors included, Simon Hanson of Goodall Transport who kindly came forward to sponsor the bus travel to the final so the team could arrive together. Bob and Petra Sweeney, Peter Greenwood of Crossley Evans, and John Maguire of BSW UK.

The Club would like to thank these and all other sponsors whose support is always welcomed.

The team are pictured with their mascot for the day.

Sunday 9th March

Clayton 10 Halifax Irish 12

An under strength Halifax Irish got to grips with very muddy conditions and
a very physical Clayton side in a re run of the Supplementary Cup Final.

Clayton drew first blood with a well taken try under the posts which was
converted followed shortly after by another fine try following a
barnstorming run by the prop forward which found the Irish defence napping.

Halifax Irish had to dig deep in defence to keep the the Clayton forwards
out with Joe Waldron, Danny Cockroft and Man of the Match James Gill equal
to the task.

Turning round ten nil down at half time was uncharted territory for the
normally free scoring Irish and this was the spur that they needed and came
out in the second half with all guns blazing. Clayton could not get out of
their half for the last 40 mins with the Irish bombarding the try line time
after time.

Great play from Danny Hoyle, Josh Mc Donald and James Gill saw Ryan Sweeney
power over in the corner but it was just too far out to convert. As the
pressure told great passing down the line saw Joe Waldron release Alexander
Smith to show the Clayton defence a clean pair of heels to race overfor his
try. Unfortunately the conversion glided wide. With the clock ticking down
and the score at 8 - 10 the Irish were not finished and clever running from
acting half from Danny Cockroft allowed Josh Mc Donald to dummy his way
through and squeeze over in the corner to bring the final score to 12 - 10.
A great team effort by all concerned.

Sunday 2nd March

Halifax Irish 34 - Siddal 8

Halifax Irish Under 12's played host to local rivals Siddal who turned up eager to revenge their previous loss. Irish started well with strong running up the hill with Daniel Hoyle, Joe Waldron and Theo Tooth leading the way. Good hands from both half backs Ryan Sweeney and Josh MacDonald, helped Shohaib Mahmood to go over for the first of his four tries. Ryan Sweeney added the conversion with a great kick into the wind. Siddal were put under pressure from kick off and paid the price when the ball was turned over and Joe Waldron cleverly scooped the ball from the scrum to score 40 metres out. Sweeney again successful with the kick. Mahmood then bagged his second after the Irish pack worked hard in defence. James Gill, Lewis Hanson and fullback Kieran Nicholl showing leadership, put in some well timed tackles. Siddal pulled a try back 2 minutes before half time but the Irish soon hit back in the second half with Mahmood scoring his hat trick. The home side were eager to score more and with some clever work from dummy half and hard working Danel Cockroft using his quick thinking and good feet to create space for Matthew Demnyk to exploit the gaps to score a fine try. Siddal never gave in and they attacked the Irish defence, they were rewarded with an excellent solo try from Luke Saltonstall in the top corner. Siddal tried to come back with more but unfortunately for them the ball was spilt allowing Josh MacDonald to work well with his inside centre Alexander Smith to put Mahmood in for his 4th and, the best of his tries that day. Sweeney again added the extras. Prop forward Angus Hirst then burst the line with a powerful run leading to Richard Partington running the ball further in field. The ball fell loose for Callum Gomes to sprint toward the line only to be pulled back for a knock on. The scrum was formed and Siddal won the ball only to knock on almost immediately from the scrum. The final try of the game was probably the try of the match. Ryan Sweeney swung the ball outside from the newly formed scrum to MacDonald who picked his gap, stepped back out to give a long pass to centre Smith who showed a clean pair of heels to score. Final score Halifax Irish 34 - Siddal 8.

Sunday 10th February

Keighley Cougar Cubs 4 - Halifax Irish 18

On Sunday the joint top two of the Under 12's Premier Division faced each other knowing the winning team would go two points clear. Keighley Cougar Cubs started the strongest with a strong determined attacking spell which led to them scoring in the corner with only five minutes gone. This didn't look good for Halifax irish who were playing with only 12 players on the day. Irish quickly lifted their heads and throughout the match defended with their all. Wingers Callum Gomes, Richard Partington and fullback Kieran Nicholl covering well. The commitment of the whole team continued with Matthew Demnyk leading up front with some strong bursts up the field. Angus Hirst and Daniel Cockroft doing the same. Seven minutes before the half time whistle the ball was turned over which led to good skill by Ryan Sweeney and Alex MacDonald helping the forwards gain good territory for Josh MacDonald to score a great solo try. Sweeney added the conversion. The half time score was 4-6 to the home side. With the downhill to play in the second half, Irish were given a bigger boost to work hard and dominate in defence. It wasn't long before they scored another with much improved Alexander Smith showing his pace and good feet to allow Shohaib Mahmood to score the first of his two tries. Keighley threw everything they had at the visitors but to no avail with Mahmood and James Gill producing a try saving effort in the corner. The final score of the top of the table clash was Keighley Cougar Cubs 4 - Halifax Irish 18. Halifax Irish are still recruiting, if any youngsters are interested in playing rugby you are welcome to come along and join us. For further details please contact Jason MacDonald on Halifax 833923.

Sunday 3rd February

Halifax Irish Under 12's again put in a sterling performance against a competitive West Bowling side. Irish coming out winners n a 36 - 10 victory. Matthew Demnyk showed much improvement which led to him scoring the first try of the match and deservedly earning himself the Man of the Match award. Ryan Sweeney added the 2 points. Clever work by Sweeney helped Josh MacDonald to find space to put Shohaib Mahmood over in the corner. Again another excellent kick by Sweeney added the 2 points. Top Tackler Alexander Smith was the next over the try line showing great strength to power through the defensive line. One of the best tries of the game came next with excellent passing involving Daniel Cockroft and Angus Hirst who gave a well timed pass to winger Callum Gomes who dived over in the corner. Mahmood scored his hat trick before half time. After the break the Irish had to defend strongly with Lewis Hanson, Richard Partington and Coaches Award winner James Gill leading the way. Fullback Kieran Nicholl returned the ball well for Alex MacDonald to bring his forwards on from acting half which opened up spaces allowing Joe Waldron and Mahmood to both score in the final 10 minutes of the game. A great defensive effort by all in a game played in good spirit.

Sunday 27th January

Newsome Panthers 4 - Halifax Irish 24

Halifax Irish Under 12's travelled to Newsome, up on Castle Hill Huddersfield where the windy conditions did not allow the Irish to play their usual flowing rugby. Alexander Smith and Angus Hirst ran strongly to allow Man of the Match Josh MacDonald to score the first of his two tries. Ryan Sweeney popped over the difficult conversion with ease. Some good handling lead to Shohaib Mahmood touching down in the corner. Sweeney with a great effort failed to land the extras. The last try of the first half came after hard defensive work from James Gill and Lewis Hanson. Matthew Demnyk then received the ball from a kick over and created a space for Richard Partington who raced 30 metres for Mahmood to finish with a try nearer to the posts. An easy conversion for Sweeney to gain.

Within minutes of the second half Newsome put immense pressure on the Irish try line but with patience and a strong defence the Irish only conceded one try and came back with a vengeance to score a very well worked try with fullback Kieran Nicholl coming into the line to feed Alex MacDonald who then threw out a well timed pass for Callum Gomes to race to the corner, earning MacDonald and Gomes a joint Coaches Award for their efforts on the day. The final try of the game after some unnecessary tactics by the home side which the Irish literally took on the chin. Replying with some awesome tackling led by Top Tackler Daniel Cockroft, which pegged Newsome on their own line allowing a turn over for Josh MacDonald to score at close range.

This winning result puts Irish in the semi-finals of the Supplementary Cup along with the Halifax League Cup Final. Irish are also remaining top of the Premier League division. To continue with their success the Irish are looking to increase their playing numbers to strengthen the squad. Anybody interested please call Jason MacDonald - 01422 833923. All newcomers welcomed to the Club.

Sunday 6th January

Halifax Irish 30 - Clayton 12

An under strength Halifax Irish blew the Christmas cobwebs away in some style as they took no prisoners against a far bigger Clayton side that never gave in.
The Irish put the first points on the board when good handling saw Josh MacDonald release Bibbs Mahmood to race the length of the field to score under the posts. Converted by MacDonald.
Mahmood was soon on the scoresheet again after tireless work by the Irish forwards and a MacDonald conversion brought the score to 12 - 0. However a lapse in concentration saw Clayton go over for a try to make the score 12 - 4 but Mahmood was on hand again to score a try converted my MacDonald to make the score 18 - 4. Clayton would not lie down and some sustained pressure saw them go over to make the score 18 - 8.

With all the Irish putting there bodies on the line the visitors had no answer to the dummy running of lively hooker Danny Cockroft and after great build up work from Joe Waldron , Alexander Smith and Angus Hirst. Prop Theo Tooth crashed over for a well deserved try. Again converted by MacDonald.

As the game went on it was only text book tackling from Keiran Nicholl and Richard Partington that kept the strong running Clayton forwards out and with Mahmood claiming his fourth try and a late try for the visitors saw the game end up a well deserved win for Halifax Irish.

Sunday 18th November

West Bowling 10 - Halifax Irish 46.

Hx Irish braved arctic like conditions to play some fine freeflowing rugby to come away with their first ever win at West Bowling. The West Bowling defence were caught napping as Bibbs Mahmood took the ball on the full from the kick off and raced a full 70 meters to score without a hand being layed on him.Ryan Sweeney converting.

It was all one way traffic from then on with Joe Waldron and Matty Demnyk gaining good yards every time a scrum broke up and with the new half back pairing of Ryan Sweeney and Josh MacDonald organising the mid field the Irish were well in control. So much so that they managed to unleash Bibbs Mahmood almost at will who finished with a personal tally of seven tries. Great play by ever improving James Gill and Richard Partington allowed Josh MacDonald to sneak over for a try himself but the game was soured by a bad knee injury to influential hooker Danny Cockroft who was replaced by Callum Gomes.

West Bowling had no answers to the Hx Irish but dug deep to make the game a fair challenge and were rewarded by two tries and a goal of their own. Ryan Sweeney finishing with seven goals from eight attempts only to be denied by the woodwork on his final kick.

A great all round display by all who played.

Sunday 11th November

Halifax Irish 16 - Meltham All Blacks 10

Halifax Irish continued there winning streak against a strong physical Meltham side who had lost only once so far this season.

With Daniel Cockroft, Joe Waldron and Matty Demnyk defending well in the forwards they laid the platform for some fine ball work by Josh Mc Donald and Bibbs Mahmood to send Callum Gomes in for his first try of the season.

Ryan Sweeney just falling short with the conversion.

More solid work by James Gill and Richard Partington allowed Ryan Sweeney to find Josh Mc Donald who released Bibbs Mahmood to outpace the struggling Meltham defense to score under the posts. Well converted by Ryan Sweeney.

Meltham were in no mood to lie down and fought back valiantly but full back Keiron Nicholl was equal to the task, pulling off some text book tackles to keep Meltham out.

It was only a matter of time though and Meltham forced there way over for two well taken tries.

The introduction of Lewis Hanson and Alexander Smith brought fresh legs to the Irish and good passing by Angus Hirst , Joe Waldron and Ryan Sweeney saw Bibbs Mahmood shrug off a number of tackles to go over for his second try converted by Ryan Sweeney to make the final score 16 - 10.

Sunday 14th October

Halifax Irish 30 - Siddal 4

Halifax Irish got their first win of the season against previously unbeaten Siddal thanks to a five try debut by the unstoppable Bibbs Mahmood and some fierce tackling from Matty Demnyk, Daniel Cockroft, Josh MacDonald and Angus Hirst.

Siddal had no answer to the Irish whose quick play the ball and smarter play unleashed Mahmood, almost at will, resulting in him having scored a hat trick within the first ten minutes. Further good attacking runs from James Gill, Keiran Nicholl and Joe Waldron kept Siddal on the rack and with Ryan Sweeney showing some great touch's with the boot it was one way traffic all the way.

The second half produced a Siddal fight back with an unconverted try in the corner but it was short-lived as Mahmood went over twice more before Hooker Daniel Cockroft shot from acting half back to sprint 40 metres for a fine individual try. Ryan Sweeney added three conversions in total to complete the win.

Sunday 7th October

Halifax Irish 12 - Townville Tigers 20

This match was a lot closer than the score suggests with the game being locked at 12 - 12 with only five minutes to go.

Played in first class conditions, the Irish drew first blood with a great break from the scrum by Ryan Sweeney who fed Joe Waldron and having drawn the defence, released Josh MacDonald who shrugged off three defenders to score a great try under the posts. Well converted by Ryan Sweeney.

The aggressive Townville forwards were being well contained by hooker Daniel Cockroft, full back Keiran Nicholl and debutant James Gill who pulled off more than one try saving tackle.

However some slack Irish tackling led to a quick reply by the Tigers who levelled the score but it wasn't long before the Irish struck again with good work near the line having Josh MacDonald over for his second try converted by Ryan Sweeney.

Sadly a lapse of concentration near the end of the game and some average tackling allowed the Tigers to storm back from behind and turn out worthy winners.

Sunday 23rd September

Halifax Irish 16 - Keighley Cougars 20

It took a period of extra time to separate these two sides in a thrilling encounter in the West Riding Cup. It was end to end rugby league with Centre Joe Waldron posting the first points with a well taken try from acting half back. Superbly converted by Ryan Sweeney. Keighley replied almost straight away but solid tackling from Daniel Cockroft, Matty Demnyk, Angus Hirst and Callum Gomes kept the aggressive Cougars at bay until some fine work in the loose saw Josh McDonald crash over for a try converted by Ryan Sweeney.

Following some fine handling by the Keighley side they soon went over for a try to level the scores at 12 – 12.

With the match in the balance good work by Jordan Syme, Lewis Hanson and debutant James Gill released Joe Waldron to race in from 40 meters to make the score 16 – 12. Only text book tackling from Keiron Nicholl kept the Cougars out until the pressure got too much and the Cougars went in twice more to bring the final score to 20 - 16.

Sunday 9th September

Meltham All Blacks 32 - Halifax Irish 8

Halifax Irish Under 12's had a tough start to the season going down 32 points to 8 against a strong well drilled Meltham side. The Irish were always under the cosh with being short of players through injury and holiday commitments.

However they had a bright start with the early stages proving very much on a par, until the Irish lost playmaker Josh MacDonald within 10 minutes with a bad ankle injury.

The Irish dug deep and a penalty for ball stealing saw Ryan Sweeney claim an easy two points. Meltham replied almost immediately but a turn in play saw Ryan Sweeney chip over the defence, Keiran Nicholl showed some good footwork to kick the ball forward for centre Joe Waldron to outpace the Huddersfield defence to touch down close to the posts. Ryan Sweeney adding the extras. Great defence from Daniel Cockroft, Callum Gomes and some nice touches from debutant Joseph Cotterill held the Irish line till well into the second half until lack of numbers provided overlap tries for Meltham to see them run out clear winners.