The pre- and post-match fireworks inside the Shay weren’t quite replicated on the pitch by Halifax but the Championship part-timers certainly left the Challenge Cup with their heads held high.
With a salary spend around a sixth of St Helens, and the fact many of Halifax’s players spent the hours before kick-off yesterdayon Friday working in their day jobs on farms and up roofs, the prospect of an almighty cup upset always felt slim at best. That was how it turned outin the end, with the reigning world and Super League champions ultimately progressing through to the quarter-finals of the cup with ease. But there was no shortage of effort and endeavour from Halifax, who belied the financial gulf between the sides to great acclaim, not least from a boisterous home crowd, who played their part in an entertaining cup tie, even if it was somewhat one-sided when it came to moments of true quality.
But that was to be expected given how St Helens’ side here featured 12 of the players who won the World Club Challenge in Australia earlier this year. Perhaps that was Saints giving Halifax and the cup the respect it deserves, or perhaps it was down to their inconsistent start to the new Super League season. Whatever the reason, Saints’ quality told at crucial junctures, helping them establish a 16-0 half-time advantage which Halifax, despite their gamely effort, never felt likely to overcome.
Joey Lussick’s try after six minutes suggested a long night for Halifax but the Panthers dug in commendably, holding out the Saints on multiple occasions. Two tries in three minutes for Jake Wingfield and Tommy Makinson then made it 16-0 but again, the collapse many feared from the part-timers never materialised.
However, this could be a costly night for the world champions despite the result, with their key forward, Morgan Knowles, sent off in the final seconds for a mindless challenge on Tom Inman. He could now face a lengthy ban.
“I’m happy with the performance in the main,” St Helens’ coach, Paul Wellens, said. “It was always going to be a challenge but I thought our guys dealt with it really well. They keep working hard for each other.”
“I’m proud of them,” said the Halifax coach, Simon Grix. “We knew we were up against it and the teamsheet suggested they weren’t doing us any favours. But we’ve come out with our pride intact and that’s what we spoke about.”
Jack Welsby’s try three minutes after half-time made it 20-0 and killed off any lingering threat of an upset but once again, Halifax refused to buckle. They continued to battle away with commendable endeavour, but went further behind with ten minutes remaining through Lussick’s second increased the deficit but the moment all Halifax fans were waiting for arrived with six minutes to go as Jacob Fairbank, a homegrown player who works on a nearby farm, crossed to send the home support wild. This was the Saints’ night, but how Halifax played their part in a wonderful cup tie.
