Halifax secured the final spot in the Super 8s Qualifiers after securing victory in a must-win game against Hull Kingston Rovers yesterday.
After Toulouse had won their fixture on Saturday to jump above Halifax into fourth, Richard Marshall’s men knew they must not lose to the league leaders to secure a top four finish.
And they got off to the best possible start as Ben Johnston’s sixth minute converted try put them 6-0 up.
Rovers struck back on 20 minutes through Kieren Moss but Fax were in control at the break after efforts from Ben Heaton, Will Sharp and loanee Mikey Sio put them 24-6 up.
Get in what a feeling that is. Huge day for the boys the club everyone ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ðŸ¼ðŸ‘ðŸ¼
— stephen tyrer (@Styrer89) July 23, 2017
A scrappy second half saw no tries as Steve Tyrer kicked two penalties, to safely see Fax into the Qualifiers.
A delighted Halifax coach Richard Marshall “We’re ecstatic as a club, to get in the top four is a fantastic achievement on our budget.
“I’m more pleased about the performance because I thought we were outstanding. Our players rose to the occasion and they didn’t bottle it.”
In terms of achievements so far this year, @Halifax_RLFC beating Toulouse, Fev and HKR in last three weeks to make Qualifiers right up there
— Gareth Walker (@garethwalker) July 23, 2017
Toulouse Olympique XIII had done all they could after winning a pulsating clash with Featherstone Rovers in the very last minutes on Saturday.
Toulouse led narrowly 20-18 at the break after tries from Kuni Minga, Rhys Curran, Bastien Ader and Kyle Briggs.
Rovers, who had already secured their place in the Qualifiers, saw first half tries from Anthony Thackeray, Kyle Briggs and Scott Turner.
Featherstone then went 24-20 up after Jason Walton’s converted try, before Mark Kheirallah scored to put the French side back ahead by two points.
VICTOIRE !!!! pic.twitter.com/XRoab1YgRF
— Toulouse Olympique (@TOXIII) July 22, 2017
Ian Hardman then kicked a penalty to make it 26-26 on 71 minutes but Minga went over for his second try of the game with just a minute left, to secure a dramatic win for Toulouse, which ultimately wasn’t quite enough to clinch their Qualifiers hopes.
Elsewhere in the Championship on Sunday, second placed London Broncos enjoyed a huge 58-4 win over Batley Bulldogs.
Elliot Kear, named in the Wales World Cup train-on squad this week, scored a hat-trick, whilst Michael Channing, Apirana Pewhairangi (2), Rhys Williams (2), Vitale Roqice and Matt Davis also crossed for the Broncos.
When you end @RLChampionships regular season with a win 🙌👌 pic.twitter.com/sUjDYdjg8D
— London Broncos RL (@LondonBroncosRL) July 23, 2017
Dewsbury Rams guaranteed four home games in the Championship Shield after defeating Sheffield Eagles 28-18.
Josh Guzdek, Lucas Walshaw, Dom Speakman and James Glover all scored for the hosts, whilst Garry Lo (2), Menzie Yere and Remy Marginet crossed for Eagles.
RESULTS@Halifax_RLFC reclaim their top four spot with @hullkrofficial win and make it to the Qualifiers, at the expense of @TOXIII pic.twitter.com/yQEIN3kTLP
— Championships-RL (@RLChampionships) July 23, 2017
Kevin Penny and Declan Kay both scored twice for Rochdale Hornets as they won a local derby against Oldham 34-24.
Jake Eccleston and Danny Yates got the other tries for Rochdale, whilst Oldham’s scorers were Daniel Smith, Adam Clay, Dave Hewitt and George Tyson.
The #Super8s format is now confirmed.
— Championships-RL (@RLChampionships) July 23, 2017
See who you will face home & away in the Qualifiers & Championship Shield 👉 https://t.co/P0tBSvkR1I pic.twitter.com/bOiFqWqQSl
Bradford Bulls’ slim hopes of Championship survival took another hit as they were defeated 16-6 by Swinton Lions at Odsal.
Damian Sironen scored Bradford’s only try, with Shaun Robinson, Ben White and Liam Forsyth all crossing for Swinton.
