Halifax Panthers 48-10 Hunslet RLFC
Four second half tries in 9 minutes made the fulltime score flattering for Halifax Panthers as Hunslet put in a spirited performance today at Odsal, Bradford yesterday (17 August 2025).
There had been nothing in it in the first half. As a Hunslet team with loanees and players out of position gave an out of sorts Halifax a good game.
A try on only 4 minutes for Ronan Dixon set thoughts in Hunslet fans minds of a big scoreline. The Panthers were granted more tackles after Hunslet knocked-on and Dixon rolled his way over close to the posts. Hansen converting 6-0
But after gaining penalties and asserting pressure Hunslet started to come into the game. Jimmy Watson made a half break, but on the next tackle the ball went to ground. Shortly after, Ryan Westerman intercepted and raced away, but the Halifax defence was allowed to get back into position and the threat was over.
Although James Saltonstall put down a simple try for Halifax with the line open, Hunslet were next on the board on 19 minutes when after pressure Billy Jowitt put in a kick for Jack Rampton to touch down in the corner, 6-4
Hunslet were enjoying possession, but couldn’t force an opening. Their kicking was often too deep not forcing any pressure on the hosts.
With halftime approaching Halifax enjoyed possession near Hunslet’s posts after The Parksiders were caught offside and then laid-on in the tackle. Eventually David Nofoaluma touched down on the whitewash to score on 38 minutes. George Whitby converting. 12-4 at the break.
It was a blow for Hunslet to concede near the break, but they set off well in the second half attacking down the left. Unfortunately a poor play of the ball handed possession to Halifax and they made use of it. A break was well defended by Billy Jowitt, but on the next play Will Calcott went over to score. Whitby converting 18-4.
A try either side of the break had damaged Hunslet, and now the Panthers got on a roll. On 49 minutes, frustratingly on the last tackle, Brandon Douglas forced his way over under the posts. 24-4
Although Coby Nichol read an intercept, Hunslet couldn’t get out of their half and mistakes invited Halifax to pressure them. The adage ‘you can’t win a game without the ball’ came into fruition as Halifax scored 4 tries in 9 minutes.
Douglas, Nofoaluma, Jobe and Fairbank scored, with Whitby converting. The best being good work down the right touchline for Maxime Jobe’s try. 48-4 on 69 minutes.
When Hunslet finally got a bit of possession they looked to score. Keelan Foster and Finley Balback made breaks, and Balback was unlucky not to score from a nice kick. But Hunslet had the last laugh when Billy Jowitt chipped ahead and collected himself to score and convert a consolation try. 48-10
It was always going to be an uphill task against Halifax with loan players coming late in the week and players out of position, but at times Hunslet were the better side and certainly in the first half Halifax were there for the taking.
Billy Jowitt had an excellent game at fullback, as did Ethan Wood and Brad Clavering in the pack. Finley Balback showed some skill on debut and Sam Ackroyd was quick around the ruck.
Hunslet entertain Batley next week (Sunday 24 August at 3pm) in a game they will have chalked down as a possible win after a 24-28 victory at The Fox’s Biscuits Stadium earlier in the season.
Halifax Panthers: Nofoaluma, Tibbs, C.Graham, B.Graham, Saltonstall, Woodburn-Hall, Hansen, Douglas, O’Brien, Dixon, McComb, Fairbank, Davies. Interchanges: Whitby, Jobe, Cowan, Calcott. 18th player: Tangata.
Hunslet RLFC: Jowitt, Rampton, Watson, McEwan-Peters, Nichol, Westerman, Balback, Hallas, Fletcher, Foster, Wood, Welham, Clavering. Interchanges: Ackroyd, Carr, Gilmore, Larroyer. 18th player: McSwiney.
Photo: Jack Rampton in action against York Knights. Credit: Craig Irvine
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