I thought we did well to go in at halftime in front considering the penalty count and six again we conceded, then once we cleaned that up in the second half there was only one winner. Performance wise Crooks in recent weeks as impressed me even for there last score he was covering across to try and stop it, Sutcliffe who i gave a bit of stick after last week looked a lot better playing right side back row off the bench, and both McComb and Kavanagh had good games. One thing that having Keyes back does even if he himself is not firing on all cylinders is free up woodburn hall and Louis which we saw the benefits of yesterday with there running threat. There fullback did look very handy in attack and if we was not so well off in that position i would say try and sign him. It is a long drive there and back in the same day but some of the scenery is has good as you will see on your travels.

Results not really going our way on Sunday but still a lot of interesting permatations now for the league placings.

3rd is really unlikely because of the remaining fixtures between other teams but we can finish on 31 points which would be enough to make the playoffs. Its not impossible that Bradford only win one of their final 3 games so in winning 3 we would finish above them as out points difference would be superior. Sheffield should account for Keighley which would put them on 30 points but again they could lose their 2 remaining fixtures after that allowing us to creep above them. London with 3 home games remaining could easily win all 3 which would probably be enough for 3rd spot and I think they are the least likely team for us to finish above.

Winning 3 is probably going to put us in 4th/5th spot. Worst case is we have to win 2 games to have a shot at the last spot, Widnes have the toughest run in and they will have done brilliantly if they can win more than 1 game from their final 3 so 2/3 for us has us above them. Batley have the easiest run in but are in awful form but even allowing for that their toughest game is a trip to York so they should go at least 2/3 which would leave us struggling to get in if no one team above us dominates the fixtures and wins are spread out.

It just shows how big this Saturdays game is, if we can win this we give ourselves a great shot of rescuing the season and we already know that we will be the team outside of Fev that nobody really wants to play.

So the Batley game didn’t go our way but Bradford lost , Bradford go to London and if they lose n we win we’ll go above them on points difference. Batley then play York at York who are in form on the Monday night , next week is massive.

Batley winning went against us and York winning at Bradford went for us for two reasons.
1.) It brings Bradford within the striking distance of just 2 points and they have a couple of tough games away at London and Sheffield.

If they win one we have to win both, if they win none we have to win one having a slightly better points difference.

2.) York winning keeps a chance of them getting a spot in the 6 so they will be going into their home game against Batley trying to win on the back of a good result.

Another lifeline and way in is if Batley lose at York and we get at least 3 points from our last two games will be enough as again we have a much better points difference than the dogs.

Anyone got any spare finger nails as mine have almost gone.

One thing is every game is must win and fax always seem to perform better in that environment.

Problem is being in a must win environment puts us supporters through the wringer, but what would sport be without the jeopardy and the highs and lows of winning and losing.

It will be like the new IMG reimagined rugby league competition!

COME ON YORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If Halifax RLFC are hoping for York to beat Batley in't 2nd division of rugby league it's a bit of bugger!

Dodged one yesterday with a poor overall performance in a crazy game.

At least we're still in it.

We needed to win our last 2 with just 1 out of 3 other results going in our favour and it's now down to 1 out of 2 and will go down to the wire.

Batley's cup final is tonight, win that and with Newcastle up next they all but guarenteed a playoff spot. Obviously we need to do a job on Swinton which is going to mean having to likely relegate them but we have 2 important fixtures remaining fixtures besides that which is tonights and then if Batley do win then we are relying on Sheffield to beat Bradford to clinch 3rd spot. Shows how close most teams have been when after tonight Bradford's result next week could mean them finishing 3rd or 7th.

Batley aren't the same team without Luke Hooley and it's no coincidence they've dropped off dramatically since he's gone back to Leeds. He was a massive difference in that 42-0 thrashing and Fax couldn't handle him on the day. So York should be favourites, and the bookies are giving Batley 4 points start.

The lower teams are no easy beats. Swinton and Keighley have exactly the same points difference so both will be pulling up trees this weekend and hopefully Keighley will give London a game.

Let's hope it doesn't all hinge on Bradford having to lose at Sheffield. Mark Aston hates Fax, but then again old sourpuss hates everyone, and seeing Sheffield need to win to secure third place they should be up for it.

After yesterday we're bloody lucky to be still in it..

We were lucky to win it but it probably balances itself out with multiple close games going against us this season. We obviously have a mentality issue, recruitment really needs to address not only the physicality in the pack but this apparent focus issue against supposed lesser sides .

Part of the problem with a small squad is that its hard to make changes. I keep seeing comments re why player X or Y has not been dropped, but then have to think, for who? What I would say is that Tangata was one of the players some wanted dropping a number of weeks back, but I think he's been outstanding the last few weeks, him and Lannon adding more punch when they have both come on. Although our participation in the play offs may come down to his last second penalty he gave away at Odsal

I think because we’ve had such an inconsistent season the fringe players have never really had a chance to get a few games under their belt ( I noticed Cole Oakley scored a great try for north wales crusaders at the weekend against hunslet , highlights on YouTube)

Yep he seems to going ok there. But will be a bit bizarre if Crusaders win next week and get promotion, after finishing 6th (out of 10) and winning just 7 of their 18 games, having half the points of both Hunslet and Donny, and even 8 points adrift of the team in 5th

Yesterday took me back to the days when we had all ticket matches and you would be queing to get in just before kick off. As for the game i thought for most of it Keighley wanted it more than us and could count themselves unlucky to lose, they played some good rugby on the back of a quick play the ball and there winger before he went off injured caused Walmsley a few problems. I have seen Finn at our last few games which should show him exactly where we are good and where we need to improve he will have a ever growing list. I just find us at times incredibly frustrating to watch we have seen this season a mix of the very good and bad and it is hard to now what is coming next, we just need to be better between the ears and be ready for a desperate Swinton side on sunday.

York vs Batley obviously on Viaplay but if like me you haven’t got it for anyone who wants to listen it’s being broadcast live on BBC Radio York kick off 7.45.

I will be a York fan just for tonight.

What is actually going on this season , as Liam Harris said ‘ madness’

Great result at York - win on Sunday and we're in the play offs - unfortunately no idea if we will!

Me neither but the way our season has gone it could have been worse than needing 1 point from a home game against Swinton to get into the play offs.

They’ll be desperate and we’ll need be on it from the start and get the job done.

If Fax turn up "expecting" to beat Swinton we'll be in for a nasty shock. The gap is not that big, they're only 6 league wins behind us after all.

I'm still haunted by our 38-35 defeat against Swinton at the Shay a few seasons ago. A young Liam Marshall (on DR from Wigan) scored a last minute try to add to his other 3. He gave opposite number Will Sharp a torrid time that day, but at least it led to Sharpy being permanently switched from winger to become a very good full back thereafter.

So no complacency please!

What a sad indictment of our season that we've been left waiting for other teams to lose so we have a last game chance for making the play offs, yes 6th place in the 2nd division of rugby league! Our league form has been such that it wouldn't even be a big shock if Swinton beat us on Sunday. Also, before the happy clappers step in, it wouldn't be the biggest surprise if we made the six and do well in't knock outs. It's been a strange season so far with the cup games standing out but here's hoping SG signs off on a high because i personally don't think Fax fans rejoicing over York beating Batley is what I expect from our club.