| Halifax 37 York City Knights 20 |
| LHF Healthplan National League Division Two Qualification Semi-Final - 26 September 2004 |
| Halifax gained revenge
for their ATC Quarter Final defeat at the hands of the
Knights earlier in the season to progress to the Grand
Final at the first attempt. Defeat for the Knights means
that they now entertain Workington Town at home this
coming Sunday, with the winners meeting Halifax at
Widnes' Halton Stadium the following Sunday. The Knights had the better of the opening exchanges and struck first after just eight minutes. Scott Rhodes' perfectly judged grubber kick popped up nicely for Lee Jackson to gather and race over behind the posts, Brough goaling. |
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| Adam Sullivan stoops low to halt Ged Corcoran with the help of John Smith and Rich Wilson |
| But Halifax hit back with three tries in a ten minute spell. Alan Hadcroft grabbed a brace, the second following an offload by Scott Rhodes, before Simon Grix dummied his way over. A Jamie Bloem penalty helped extend the lead further before loose forward Pat Weisner crossed at the side of the posts, Bloem converting. Scrum half Ben Black kept the scoreboard ticking over with a drop goal with just four minutes of the first half remaining. |
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| John Smith shows his delight after grabbing the first of his two tries |
| The Knights needed to score, and did so just before the break. Scott Rhodes' high kick was fumbled by Scott Grix allowing the ball to bounce up nicely for Jim Elston. Elston made good ground before sending a long pass out to his right where John Smith, in acres of space, was on hand to gather and dive over. Brough added the extras. |
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| Chris Spurr drives for the line as the Barmy Army look on |
| The Knights struck first
with the second half just two minutes old to provide real
hope amongst the army of travelling fans packed into the
Skircoat Stand. Elston was again the creator with a great
run to set up the field position for Danny Brough to send
John Smith over for his second try of the game. With just seven points in it the game could have gone either way but Halifax refused to lie down and soon hit back with a Scott Grix try in the corner. Ricky Sheriffe then made the most of an unkind bounce, which deceived Mark Cain, to pounce on the ball to score. |
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| Mark Cain finds himself in space at the Shay |
| Simon Friend provided further hope for the Knights supporters, crashing over from close range to score with twenty minutes remaining, but it was not to be. Fax had the final say, against the run play, with a try by Ben Feehan right at the death, which Bloem converted. |
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| Simon Friend crashes over for the Knights fourth try |