Halifax 10, Baildon 6

IF BAILDON were disappointed to lose narrowly against Halifax for the second time this season, as they had chances but did not take them, they should remember that this was another improved performance – especially in the set-piece.

The Yorkshire Division Three derby was switched to the second-team pitch at Ovenden Park, as it was slightly less frosty than their first-team surface, and although the visitors had the edge in an early scrum, they conceded the opening points.

Halifax were recalled for a forward pass with a three-on-two overlap but Richard Cole then crossed for a try and converted it after swinging the Baildon defence right and left.

JJ O'Connell missed a shot at goal for the visitors after the hosts had entered from the side, before referee James Webster had to speak to both captains after a fracas following a neck-high tackle on a Baildon player.

Only good cover defence prevented Halifax from adding to their first-half score but Baildon almost scored in the second half when Luke Strauss was held up in the right corner.

An attacking five-metre scrum was followed by a line-out, which was cleanly taken by Tom Peel, Halifax coming in from the side as the maul went down to concede a penalty.

A second maul was brought down by the hosts, with the Halifax captain receiving a team warning. However, in a rare incursion into Baildon territory, they kicked a penalty to make it 10-0.

The visitors needed points now and got some via an O'Connell penalty after a clean break by Dan Haywood.

After some good tidying-up work by Harrison Strauss, Baildon won another penalty with two minutes left, O'Connell landing it again for 10-6.

Baildon did have one opportunity for a winning score but could not secure the ball from an attacking line-out, Halifax kicking into touch to secure victory.

Matty Robinson, O'Connell and Luke Strauss all looked dangerous when running the ball from deep.

But referee Webster also deserves praise after taking a ball to his head in the warm-up, turning an ankle in the first half and being clattered by a Halifax forward in the second.