Halifax Panthers vs Featherstone Rovers

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/

SOCKS APPEAL

What started out as an inside joke with friends soon became a matter of personal pride for sponsor Chris Kershaw

Halifax born Kershaw began life as a Fax Fan on the Thrum Hall terraces at age 11 with friends, and has been an avid supporter of the club ever since. Before one day, he made the leap to become a Commercial Partner.

"We'd been discussing a way that I could support the club personally rather than through my business. We wanted something on the kit and what first sprung to mind was the socks, because you could have your name down there."

"It was a bit of a joke to start with, to be honest. We still had a year to run on a previous contract so I thought, 'why don't we just put my name on the back of the socks?' And the club said, 'well, why don't you' and that's where it came from really."

"I think this year's kits are fantastic. It's nice to see the traditional hoops come back for the home kit and the away kit looks class as well. I'm really pleased with it."

Commenting on the Panthers start to the 2025 season under new coach Kyle Eastmond, Chris continued: "He looks a true professional. His playing career was great in both codes, I think some of those aspects and abilities appear to be rubbing off on the players."

"In the way that he's disciplined, he's a really calm character, he seems to listen well and take on information. Obviously, it's very early days but I've had the opportunity to be at all the games so far and to say we're a small squad, he's getting the best out of them so far."

Kershaw began his own Rugby League playing journey at King Cross, after discovering a love for the sport following games for his school.

He went on to play in successful sides for Sowerby Bridge Robins and Siddal, leading to signing for his hometown club in the academy.

"I played as a centre/winger. I was fast, I ran 100 metres for Yorkshire schools so I was a quick lad in my younger days. I got spotted playing for Sowerby Bridge Robins that won everything at our age group in 1994, and later at Siddal before Halifax came calling. I signed on this new initiative like an apprenticeship where we were all full time. From going to Thrum Hall and watching players like John Bentley, John Schuster, Paul Rowley - to a couple of months later, being coached by Tony Anderson and training with the first team, it was fantastic."

"My Rugby career unfortunately didn't go to plan, I broke my leg at 20 and never played again but I loved every minute."

His playing career might be in the rear view mirror, but Kershaw is certainly enjoying life as an official sponsor of the club.

"I've enjoyed supporting the club. I previously played in the academy at 16-18 years old, and it's always been a passion of mine before I played for Halifax, but also after playing for the academy - continuing being a fan of the club."

"It allows me to be involved with a deal that is affordable to me, and that I can keep those links. And also, I want to be there forever if I get that opportunity. I don't want anyone else on there really." (Laughs)

"Being part of the kit sponsorship makes me feel a bit proud and I've signed up to 2030, so long may it continue really."

A Big Thank You to Chris for his loyal support. To find out more about becoming an Official 2025 Commercial Partner of the Panthers, visit our website www.halifaxpanthers.co.uk

Sunday 29th July 2012. On a pleasant summers day by the seaside, one moment of magic would make a living legend of a fresh face in Blue and White.

The Northern Rail Cup Final was the showpiece event for lower league clubs back in those days. Similar to the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup, it was a real chance for Championship and League One clubs to attain silverware purely via merit on the field of play as the latest round of licensing would be responsible for promotion to Super League.

After finishing third in the Pool 1 qualification table, knockout wins over Barrow Raiders and Sheffield Eagles set up a grandstand meeting for Fax with Featherstone Rovers at Bloomfield Road, Blackpool.

Introducing Stephen Tyrer. Back in 2012, the St Helens born Centre was enjoying his debut season at The Shay, having joined in the close season from Super League bound Widnes Vikings.

"Back then, Featherstone were probably the strongest team, making finals every year and finishing top of the league", said Tyrer.

"We were a new team that year, Karl Harrison had just brought us all together. It was my first season part time as well so it was all new to me, travelling to Yorkshire, playing part time, just everything."

"We'd made the final but we'd already played Rovers a few times that year and I think we'd put 60 points on them not too long before that. So we went into the game quite confident."

With Halifax leading by three points in the 78th minute camped close to the Featherstone line, Tyrer remembered the talk on the field with the game finely poised and the result on the line.

"The talk was complete the set, I think there was only a minute or two left, complete the set, roll it out, defend the lead and you win the game. But Penky and Barlow didn't think like that, they were our match winners and they obviously just thought 'let's go and score'."

Barlow drove the ball in before offloading to Penkywicz, who then flicked the ball wide to Paul Handforth. He collected and fed Anthony Thackeray, who spotted space behind the defensive line.

"Thacks has got a great short kicking game and he didn't even say he was going to kick it, It was just off the cuff. I knew I was onside and nobody was going to beat me to it. Obviously, it paid off for us and I got the ball down."

Tyrer's try set off wild scenes on celebrations both on and off the field, the travelling blue and white army going nuts as his teammates swamped him in the corner.

"The celebrations said it all really. We were going wild jumping all over the place, and that night was some party I'll tell you."

"Me, Penky, Ryan Fieldhouse and Craig Ashall were still in a pub the following Monday. It was something I hadn't experienced before, it was just mega. It was a good day, it still gives me chills now when I watch it. A special, special moment I'll never forget."

"I'm a bit gutted we didn't manage to win anything else during my time at the club, but you can never take that cup win away from us. It was a brilliant day."

Tyrer was inducted into the Halifax Rugby League Hall of Fame in October 2023. He sits second on the clubs all time points scoring list with 1984 in 217 appearances, including 115 tries and 762 goals.