Gareth is a top rugby league journalist who has one very exceptional distinction. He chooses to write about matters pertaining to the Championship and League One.
Although this blog is devoted to Featherstone Rovers it is always good to read opinions about matters relevant to us, but not specifically about us. We hope you enjoy reading Gareth's column each week.
Hard Fax
THEY might be sitting bottom of the
table at present without a win from three, but Halifax have undoubtedly been
one of the stories of the Qualifiers so far.
Richard
Marshall’s side only secured their Championship
top four spot on the final day of the regular season, on the back of a run that
saw them beat rivals Featherstone, Toulouse and Hull KR in the closing
weekends.
Their
achievement also saw the Fax players handed back the 10 percent pay cut they
agreed to at the start of the campaign, for securing the extra central funding.
It’s
the second time in three years Marshall’s side have secured a Qualifiers berth,
and although they won two games in 2015, the coach feels his team is better
placed to compete now.
And
compete they have in all three games - especially in a narrow opening defeat at
Hull KR and their most recent gutsy performance at Warrington, where two late
Wolves tries secured a somewhat nervous 22-8 win.
Marshall
said: “The time before in the Qualifiers we were
happy just to be in there, but what is happening now is that we feel we can
compete.
“We’re
not just grateful to be here, we feel that we can do a good job ourselves
without relying on anyone else.
“Apart
from the first half against Widnes I think we’ve been really good and
competitive, although we are desperate for a win.
“This
competition will be over before we know it and we don’t want to end up on zero.
“We
want one, two or three wins wins would be a fantastic achievement for us.
“We’ve
got Catalans this weekend and there’s a bit of pressure on them - while we’re
playing with no pressure and the players are enjoying that.
“It’s
been a good competition and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“We
also want it to be a springboard for the club for next season to allow us to
kick on.”
The
Dragons fixture is a huge one for the French club in particular following their
comprehensive home defeat to Leigh.
Current
form suggests that they are at least heading for the Million Pound Game - and
if they don’t secure maximum points against
part-time duo Fax and Featherstone in their next two games the scenario could
be even worse.
Steve
McNamara’s side are sure to be desperate at
the Shay - but they will do well not to underestimate Marshall and his talented
side.
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