Halifax Panthers vs Barrow Raiders

'The Digital Den' Matchday E-Programme -
Sponsored by Collett & Sons

Betfred Championship Round 2 - Sunday 23rd February 2025

Welcome to the inaugural Halifax Panthers e-programme. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the very first edition of 'The Digital Den' as we embark on our first home game of our 2025 Betfred Championship campaign. This marks the start of an exciting new era for the club, and I’m delighted that we can now bring you exclusive matchday content in a more accessible and interactive format.

A strong start & positive momentum

There’s a real buzz around the club right now, and rightly so. We’ve hit the ground running this season with a convincing victory over Sheffield Eagles in Round 1, showing the resilience and attacking intent that we know this squad is capable of. Following a spirited performance against Catalans Dragons in the Challenge Cup - where we more than held our own against Super League opposition - the signs are promising for what’s to come.

The Eastmond effect

The arrival of Kyle and his coaching team has injected fresh energy, belief, and ambition into the playing group. The players have responded brilliantly to the new ideas and high standards being set, and there’s a clear determination to make this season one to remember. It’s an exciting time to be a Panthers supporter, and I know Kyle and his team are as eager as you are to see this club push forward.

Building for the future

While performances on the pitch are crucial, we’re also committed to making Halifax Panthers stronger off the field. There are a host of initiatives in place aimed at improving fan engagement, ensuring better matchday experiences, and delivering real opportunities for young players through our Panthers Talent Pathway. From grassroots development to elite performance, we want to create a club that represents the very best of Halifax—a club that fans, players, and the community can be proud of.

Let’s make it 2 from 2!

This afternoon, we welcome Barrow Raiders to The Shay, and with your backing, we’re aiming to make it two wins from two in the Championship. Your support makes all the difference, and I encourage you to get behind the boys and help create the kind of atmosphere that makes The Shay a fortress.

Enjoy the game, enjoy the E-Programme, and Up the Panthers!

Damian Clayton MBE
CEO, Halifax Panthers

UP THE
PANTHERS

#BAWA

Coaches Corner

KYLE EASTMOND on our winning start to 2025

It’s always great to get your first win of the season up and running. I was really pleased with the performance for large parts of the game at Sheffield, we’re well aware of a couple of bits and pieces that we need to tidy up on and a small period in the game that I think we can be better at. But on the whole, for large parts of the game, we were at a really good standard.

It's been pleasing to see that translation of training and playing, it’s quite easy to be a team or a player that can train well but not be able to translate that into a game situation so it’s good to see we’re doing that. Our intent around the way that we’re trying to play in both attack and defence has been great, but we’re nowhere near the finished article. We’re building blocks at the moment and it’s great to see but we’re got a long way to go and that’s the really exciting bit is that we get to keep improving every week.

I’m expecting Barrow to come here confident, they’ve had a good start to the season, they won a game at home and put in a good performance scoring a few points so there’ll be some confidence with them. It’ll be a tough test, I think they’ve got a few players in on loan as well so that always boosts the team. We need to be right on it today to get what we want out of it, and we will be. Another exciting challenge at home and we’re really looking forward to it.

Everyone at Halifax has been great so far, the fans, not just to me but to the whole staff – everybody has been so welcoming. I was out and about with my son earlier this week and people have been wishing us luck for Sunday and things like that, it does mean a lot. The most important thing is that support they give to the players, we’re going to do our best to make sure these lads are prepared well but the support they get from the fans is just great. We really do appreciate it every game. We'll keep doing our part, working hard on the field.

It feels like we’re building something, I see everybody at the club working hard, whatever their role may be both on and off the field. At the end of the day, when you’re all pulling in the same direction, and keeping your focus, hopefully we can deliver for the fans and for everybody else.

Kyle Eastmond
Head Coach, Halifax Panthers

FOUR POINTS - RUGBY LEAGUE RULES FOR NEWBIES

Enjoying your first Rugby League match at The Shay this afternoon? Here are four quick snapshot rules to help you learn the game.

SCORING A TRY - a try is scored when the ball is placed on the ground by the attacking player inside the in-goal area. They do not necessarily have to be in control of the ball, just downward pressure using any part of their hand up to their elbow. If the ball is grounded on the try line, the try is awarded. However, if the ball is grounded on the touchline or the dead ball line then the try isn't scored and a 20m tap is awarded to the defensive team.

TACKLING - a tackle is completed when the defensive player either stops the forward motion of an attacking player and the referee calls held or when the defensive player puts the attacking player down onto the ground no higher than shoulder height, when the ball carrying arm makes contact with the ground this means the tackle is completed.

OFFSIDE IN DEFENCE - A defensive player is adjudged to be offside if they encroach the 10m space level between the referee and the ruck before the ball is played by the attacking players foot. A penalty will be given by the referee

POINTS SCORING - A Try is worth 4 points, a conversion is worth 2 points, a penalty goal is also worth 2 points and a drop goal is worth 1 point.

To learn more about the rules of the game, visit https://www.rugby-league.com/

Player Profile

We caught up with Panthers Powerhouse Prop Brandon Douglas

Rapid-fire Q&A

Q: How did pre season training go this year?
A: A very enjoyable, very good but hard pre season. I was injured last year so it was good to get stuck in and enjoy it with the lads.

Q: What do you eat the night before and the morning of a game?
A: I like Spaghetti Bolognese, as much as I can eat. On the morning of a game, I usually go to my friends café for a big bowl of porridge. I don't like to eat after 9am because I end up throwing up.

Q: What's your standout Rugby League memory so far?
A: Making my Super League debut for Castleford Tigers away at St Helens when I was only a young pup. Got fans man of the match, never played again! [laughs] I hope to make some more memories this year and stay off the injury list.

Q: Best Try scored?
A: There's that many of them, I can't choose! That's sarcasm obviously, I can't remember my last try, although I did score the winner for Sheffield AGAINST Halifax the other year so it could be that one! [laughs]

Q: What do you do for a day job when you're not playing Rugby?
A: I've set up a little family run window company called Optimal Windows and Doors - so if anybody ever want any windows or doors, I'm your man! It's going really well so far, I'm enjoying it.

Q: Who's the best player you've played alongside or against?
A: It's going to sound very cliché and boring but I enjoy playing with Bob (Jacob Fairbank). He's a very hard working middle and he's very similar to me in that he likes to go out and belt people!

Q: What do you like to do to relax after a tough game or training session?
A: Sleep! [laughs] No, I've got to give a shout out to Hice HQ. I've been getting into my ice baths and saunas recently, and feeling the benefit. But then just generally sleep.

Q: Who's had the biggest influence on your career?
A: My mum. She's always been my biggest fan, she always took me to every training session, every game she comes and watches. She's the first person I see after every game so I'd have to say my mum.

Official Panthers Merch

Meet the Visitors

Introducing Barrow Raiders

Founded in 1875, Barrow Football Club was formed and played its first home game on 4th December of that year against the Royal Grammar School, Lancaster, at Cavendish Park on Barrow Island, then home to the town's cricket club.

In April 1897, the team switched from Rugby Union to Rugby League following a unanimous vote at the club. Barrow joined the Second Division of the Lancashire Senior Competition and became champions in their first season. Barrow became one of the dominant teams of the first world war period, winning the unofficial championship title in 1917–18 losing just twice in 22 matches.

Their most prestigious moment came on 30th April 1955, when Barrow lifted the Challenge Cup for the first and only time in the clubs history. A 21-12 win over rivals Workington Town at Wembley secured their first major silverware, though they would add the Lancashire Cup later that same year beating Oldham 12-2.

The Raiders moved to their current Craven Park home in 1931, largely as a result of the efforts of their supporters, 500 of whom volunteered to construct the ground.

A proud club deep in the heartlands of Rugby League, their ability to draw a passionate local following has been a testament to the club's community spirit and commitment to the sport.

Barrow opened their Betfred Championship account for 2025 with a convincing 38-12 win over newly promoted Hunslet last Sunday. Former Fax man Ryan King got on the scoresheet as the Raiders made a confident start to the year.

The Cumbrians come to The Shay full of confidence following their opening day victory, looking for their first win in Halifax since 2011. Head Coach Paul Crarey will have his troops fired up for the two points to continue their buoyant start in the league.

Watch Out For...

Players who could change this match

PANTHERS - ONES TO WATCH

Ben
Crooks

DOB: 15/6/1993
Position: Centre
Number: 3

After an injury plagued year in 2024, Ben Crooks seems to finally be getting back to his best this year.

Recently named first team captain, Crooks appears rejuvenated by the responsibility bestowed on him by the Panthers coaching staff, leading from the front both on and off the field.

A great strike weapon on the edge with solid running and hard hitting defence, he has the ability to make a huge impact on the result at The Shay today.

Jack
Hansen

DOB: 12/1/1997
Position: Half Back
Number: 7

Jack Hansen has shown encouraging signs in his early Panthers starts, marshalling the troops well and immediately buying into the culture of the club.

A close season signing from rivals Sheffield Eagles, Hansen marshalls his troops around the field with authority.

The 27 year old half back is dangerous with ball in hand, and with a good kicking game in his arsenal - he could be the one to manufacture the Raiders downfall this afternoon.

Ben
Tibbs

DOB: 3/11/2000
Position: Winger
Number: 2

Ben Tibbs is a man in fine form. 4 tries in his first 3 games shows the 24 year old has found a new lease of life under the tutelage of new head coach Kyle Eastmond.

Converted back to his familiar role on the wing after spending the last few seasons in a centre spot, Tibbs can utilise his speed to breakaway down the flanks to create chances for both himself and his teammates.

If he can find space wide out on the large Shay Stadium field, we could easily see him add further to his try tally.

Halifax Panthers

Head Coach: Kyle Eastmond

TEAM
1. Louis Jouffret
2. Ben Tibbs
31. Konrad Hurrell
4. Ben Crooks (C)
5. James Saltonstall
6. James Woodburn-Hall
7. Jack Hansen
8. Brandon Douglas
9. Adam O'Brien
16. Ronan Dixon
20. Brad Graham
19. Zack McComb
13. Jacob Fairbank

Substitutes
14. Tom Inman
10. Joe Hird
17. Will Calcott
12. Adam Tangata

18. Owen Restall

Barrow Raiders

Head Coach: Paul Crarey