Halifax 2nds 36 Crusaders' 2nds 14 - THE Crusaders lost for the third time this season against the Halifax side, at least in this match the Crusaders competed to the end.

Crusaders were soon on the attack when a mazy run by Warren Knowles put Halifax under pressure, but good defence prevented a score.

Keighley had a chance to go first on the score board when they awarded a penalty 35 yards out, but Simon Atkin's boot was unable to overcome the strong wind.

Margus Part, playing at stand off, was giving his backs plenty of opportunities to run at the Halifax back line, and when it came to tackling the middle three backs of Part, Shiner and Grant were equal to the Halifax players.

Against the run of play Halifax broke away and their left wing scored in the corner. Their stand off converted the try with a well judged kick.

At this stage in the game Keighley suffered a blow when Margus Part had to leave the field due to a bang on the head. He was replaced by Gary Davy who took over at stand off .

The Crusaders pack were now starting to suffer against the much heavier Halifax eight and from a scrum near the Keighley line the scrum half and backrow broke blind and scored their second try.

Winning the ball was becoming a problem to the Crusaders and the Halifax forwards were starting to rule the roost. Only good tackling stopped a third try when one of their forwards was held up over the line.

Gary Davy was using his boot to good effect and just before half time a Crusaders' attack broke down in the mid-field and some slick passing by Halifax gave the right wingman a free run into the corner.

Halifax's power in the scrum showed even more in the second half. From a five yard scrum they drove the Crusaders' pack over the line for their first try of the second half. Not to be denied points the Crusaders made good headway from the kick off and Andi McGill was able to score Keighley's first points. Simon Atkin converted.

A further Halifax try killed any hopes of a Keighley victory.

Davy got his backs moving when Warren Knowles beat two men to score in the corner. Again Atkin converted. Davy put Iuean Morgan on a run but the play broke down and Halifax breathed a sigh of relief.

Next Davy took a quick tap penalty and raced 30-yards only to be hauled down inches short. In dying minutes Halifax scored their final try.

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