ON THIS DAY 1993 | HALIFAX 50-20 BATLEY

ON THIS DAY IN 1993 HALIFAX HOST BATLEY IN THE CHALLENGE CUP

On This Day in 1993 Halifax hosted Batley in the Challenge Cup second round at Thrum Hall, who coincidentally will be the Panthers first opponents in 2021 in the same competition as the action resumes after over a year due to the pandemic.

The result was never in doubt as Halifax ran riot against their third division opponents with John Bentley grabbing the headlines with a hat-trick of tries.

Greg Austin who would finish Fax’s top try scorer in the 92/93 season helped himself to a brace with David Cooper, John Fieldhouse, Graham Hallas and Brent Stuart completing the scoring in front of a crowd of 5,243 spectators.

Paul Bishop kicked seven goals for Fax and would also finish top points scorer that season with 266 points in just 33 appearances with 8 tries and 116 goals.

Notable signings that season included, Johnny Lawless (Siddal), John Bentley (Leeds), Gary Divorty (Leeds) & Graham Hallas who joined the club from Hull KR.

Halifax’s reward for beating Batley was a home tie against the all conquering Wigan side in what would turn out to be a thriller at Thrum Hall in arctic conditions with Fax just falling short 18-19 with Joe Lydon kicking a drop goal to break the hearts of the Fax faithful.

On the league front Halifax would go on to finish seventh in the Stones Bitter Championship.

#PanthersAreInTown

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