With a fresh wind blowing at their backs Wetherby set out to pin Halifax back with long probing kicks. The tactic almost came off in the early stages when Nick Oates put them in a promising position. They lost the advantage when they lost a scrum. It took 20 minutes for the pressure to pay off when a promising backs move took them within kicking distance for Alex Duss to oblige with 3 points. Ten minutes later a good kick by Duss was followed up and possession regained. Veteran Geoff Brown gathered the ball and put Jonny Wheatley in for a try wide out which Alex Duss converted superbly.

The Vandals did not let the Reds have it all their own way using swift throw ins and quick tap penalties to pressure Wetherby. They scored just before half time to make the score 10 – 5 when a poor clearance kick was fielded by Vandals and poor tackling by Wetherby let them in for soft try.

Now playing into the breeze the Reds did well early on in the half to get within reach of the visitors line and from a good scrummage they pushed over the Halifax line and Taff Olte dived in for the try. The Reds front row were providing a good platform as well as spoiling the vandals scrum ball. However poor handling by Wetherby let them down enabling Halifax to hit back though foul play enabled Duss to increase the lead with a penalty.

Vandals applied a lot of pressure in the final quarter when Wetherby’s frustration got the better of them suffering innumerable penalties and 2 yellow cards. With a few minutes to go Halifax scored a converted try after some valiant defending by the home side.

A welcome return to winning ways in a hard fought game with Vandals providing tough opposition. Wetherby will hope to continue next week at home to Leeds Corinthians when the kick off is 2.15.