This was a great runout against competitive opposition.

Selection:

Luke Townend, Henry Hirst, George Heron, Carrick K-Payne, Dillon North, Josh Beck, Sam Sharp, Will Baxter.

Sam Cox, Sam Fletcher, Reuben Flynn, Kieran Baldry, Elliot Knight, Phil Cadogan, Jack Bruce.

Jordan Shaw, Huw Bayley, Brook Ward, Lewis Marshall, Harry Granger, Harry Freeth, Max Rowntree, Alistair Ring, Harry Greenwood.

Scorers:

Tries: Sharp (2), Rowntree (2), & Bruce.
Cons: Fletcher (4).

Match Report.

STAR PLAYER: Will Baxter

The Hawks welcomed local rivals Halifax to North Dean for a preseason friendly. 

After a lively start by both teams, Halifax looked to play direct, utilising their physicality to drive forward. The Hawks absorbed the pressure well and looked to attack on the counter with Reuben Flynn denied a great break out score with the final pass from Jack Bruce deemed forward.

After sustained pressure by the Heath's forwards, Sam Sharp opened his account for the season with a powerful surge to the line, Sam Fletcher converted (7-0). Halifax hit back from a quick tap before releasing their man of the match for a well taken converted try (7-7). The Hawks dominated the second quarter, Bruce followed up his own kick, collecting the favourable bounce before outstripping the defence, Fletcher converted (14-7). Luke Townsend and player of the match Will Baxter drove the team forward, setting a great platform for Max Rowntree to score the next two individual scores with Fletcher impressively converting both (28-7 HT). 

The Hawks looked to kick on in the second half and secure a big win. Halifax dug deep and battled well as Heath rung the changes. Sharp grabbed his second try of the game, on the end of a flowing move (33-7). Townsend, Baxter, and Harry Greenwood went close, only denied by desperate defence. Josh Beck & Fletcher caused problems with numerous strong runs but no further scores were added (33-7 FT).

This was a great runout against competitive opposition, a team at a similar standard to what is coming up in the league games.

UTH#

Photography.

Andy Keighley