An astonishing second half performance by England captain Tom Halliwell saw Leeds secure a 62-40 home win at Leeds Beckett, in the top of the table clash with Wigan. Halliwell crossed for all of his side’s five tries following the break after the Rhinos had narrowly led 34-28 at the interval, the sides drawing their previous encounter. Most of Halliwell’s touchdowns were assisted by Nathan Collins, three from perfectly judged kicks, Collins finishing with 22 points from a try and nine goals. Ewen Clibbens opened the scoring for the hosts, Welsh star Jodie Boyd-Ward also crossing for a quick fire brace in the initial exchanges. Wigan led 18-6 after 20 minutes, England international Declan Roberts again their driving force. He finished with 28 points from four tries and six goals, Martin Norris with two and Matt Wooloff the Warriors’ other try scorers. Leeds player/coach James Simpson broke his holiday arrangements to travel six hours to play and was rewarded with a try, as was Josh Butler who came off the bench.
A sensational, last gasp, length of the field try by Nathan Holmes, his third of a pulsating contest, having opened the scoring, saw Halifax just overcome London, 48-38 in a match shown on The Sportsman for the first time. The Panthers lost in the capital but were strengthened for this clash at Low Moor, in-form Rob Hawkins – who ended with two tries and six goals – and French international Jeremey Bourson taking them to an early 16 point lead. England international Joe Coyd stabilised the Roosters from the bench, scoring the first of his eventual hat trick to go with five goals, for a total of 22 points. The teams traded tries with Wayne Boardman and Bourson going over for Halifax and further scores from Coyd and Lewis King, who also claimed a treble, making it
28-16 to the Panthers at half time. Halifax rotated their squad and ensured that everyone got to participate, Bourson also finishing with three touchdowns, but Coyd and King were strong in the middle for the Roosters, backed up by a remarkable performance from Freya Levy who played the full eighty minutes, Jack Linden the visitors other try scorer.
