MATCH REPORT | FIRST WIN SINCE APRIL AS FAX TOPPLE TOULOUSE
Halifax Panthers recorded their first Betfred Championship victory since April with a determined 30-16 win over table toppers Toulouse Olympique on Saturday evening. A game played in testing conditions at the sun hammered down on Odsal Stadium, the feisty affair saw yellow cards dished out for both sides as tempers boiled over in the summer heat.
After ringing the changes to his starting line up after defeat at London, Kyle Eastmond called for concentration from his troops in the build up to the game, but individual errors saw the Panthers go behind to a Benjamin Laguerre try just 5 minutes into the contest. Jake Shorrocks was off target with the boot to give the visitors an early four point advantage, but this seemed to light a fire under the Panthers as they raced into the lead soon after. A rampaging run up field from debutante Dayon Sambou set up the field position for the hosts right on the Olympians line, who showed composure and poise to set up a brilliant attacking play.
The ball was worked left through hands as Louis Jouffret and David Nofoaluma linked up to give Sambou the perfect amount of time to find James Saltonstall with the offload, the Fax winger flying over in the corner for his first of the night. Jack Hansen couldn’t add the extras but the men in blue and white kept their foot on the gas as they flew into the lead. Multiple offloads kept the French outfit on their heels, before Jouffret dummied to create space for himself to power through the line from close range for his first of two scores on the night against his former club. Hansen added the extras for a 10-4 lead after 15 minutes of play.
The Panthers pack continued their rich vein of form as they battered away in defence, restricting the visitors yardage coming away from their line. But errors with the ball from both sides continued to stifle the fluidity of any attacking play on show. Fax would be the side to eventually get things right though, as Sambou again had an immediate impact on debut. His perfectly timed offload sent Saltonstall flying over in the corner for his second of the night, Hansen nailing the touchline conversion to send the Panthers in 16-4 up at the break.
The visitors came out firing after the break as Fax errors shut down any chance to advance their position in the opening exchanges. Ellis Gillam taking an offload to cross from close range next to the posts, Shorrocks converting to cut the hosts lead to six points. But the Panthers were in a determined mood, and would not be denied in this must win game. Following multiple penalties for high tackles, the field position was set for an attack. On the powerplay, Jouffret ran a short side play finding David Nofoaluma with the pass. The Serbian International stepped back inside before showing great strength and determination to force his way over the line for his first four pointer in Fax colours. Hansen nailed the touchline conversion again to put Fax 22-10 up on the hour mark.
Fax were in white hot mood as the heat began to take its toll, but the determination and desire to win wasn’t shifting on this occasion as the men in blue and white worked hard for each other. Laguerre almost went in for his second but for brilliant defensive play from Saltonstall who made just enough contact to force his foot on to the line. Then came the ten minutes of madness and ill discipline.
Hansen tried to get a kick away from deep on the last but was chopped down low after the ball had gone by Gillam, a cynical and dangerous challenge earning the Toulouse prop a yellow card and the Panthers a penalty where the ball landed right in front of the sticks. Jouffret took over the kicking duties with Hansen hobbling to slot over the penalty to give the hosts a three score lead at 24-10. Back came the Olympians though but excellent goal line defence from Nofoaluma as he stood tall on multiple occasions from full back to shut down some clear scoring opportunities.
Then it was the Panthers turn to go a man down. Vila Halafihi’s evening ended as he was sin binned for a dangerous throw on 70 minutes, meaning Fax would end the game with 12. Toulouse took immediate advantage of the man over as Radean Robinson crossed just a minute later, Shorrocks quickly converting to give the Panthers 9 minutes to survive a potential comeback scare. But this was our day, as the blue and white army spurred on their troops to a famous win. The concentration that head coach Eastmond craved was on show as extra efforts in both attack and defence shut out any chances of a Toulouse fightback before Jouffret powered his way over for a converted score on the hooter to sealed a 30-16 victory.
Halifax Panthers
Nofoaluma, C Graham, Crooks, Sambou, Saltonstall, Jouffret, Hansen, Douglas, Halafihi, Calcott, McCarron, Tangata, Inman
Subs: O’Brien, McComb, Fairbank, Cowen (18th Man: Dixon)
Tries: Saltonstall (10,32) Jouffret (14,79)
Goals: Hansen 2/3 Jouffret 1/1
Penalty: Jouffret 1/1
Sin Bin: Halafihi (70)
Toulouse Olympique
Ashall-Bott, Laguerre, Marcon, Rennie, Ulberg, Robinson, Shorrocks, Belmas, Rodriguez, Butler, Stefani, Jussaume, Cator
Subs: Garrigues, Roumanos, Gillam, Bretherton (18th Man: Wallace)
Tries: Laguerre (5) Gillam (45) Robinson (71)
Goals: Shorrocks 2/3
Sin Bin: Gillam (62)
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