Halifax RLFC are delighted to announce that wingers Gareth Potts and Tommy Saxton have signed one year deals with the club ahead of the 2016 season.

As I said on the other thread, I think Saxton does a great job just about every time he plays. He wont score flashy tries but when it comes to people putting their hand up to take the ball out of your 20 on a wet muddy day Saxton will be there. He also does a bloody good job of it and constantly makes hard yards that his frame says he has no right to do. Again he wont be first choice but would most teams in the league kill to have a player like that about the squad, of course they would.

No point lying I was not a big fan of Potts when we signed him but last season he was our best winger for most of the season by far. The battle for the 2nd wing spot next season should be intense and hopefully see players upping their game. I cant wait to see Potts back fit and in the team because I think he came on leaps and bounds last season(seems to be a common theme).

Agreed. It's a very long season and these guys know what's expected and deliver.

More good news....UTFAX

I really like Tommy and am really glad that he is staying for what will probably be his last year playing at this level. He is a proper gritty player who always gives his all.

I have always felt that Potts is underrated and at times wasted - he spent a good few weeks sitting out at the beginning of the season whilst we played that donkey Brown. I agree with GFB he was our best winger by a country mile when he played. I also think that playing on that right wing is a tough call at times - we still predominantly play towards the left and I hope we will sort that out this season. You could see the difference in the middle eights with the SL teams who use both wings effectively.

I am reserving judgement on Sharp until I have seen him play with Fax - the last two wingers who have joined Fax (Fox and Brown) were a bitter disappointment after being hailed as great signings. Fax have come a long way and Sharp looked good in probably the poorest Fev team in years.....but I am looking forward to seeing how he does.

On the subject of Brown - are we really going to let him steal a wage off us for another year ?

Thats pretty tough to do in a part time environment and I guess even at FT clubs and boils down to skill levels and going deeper than that down to the grass routes development of players. Most right handed players naturally find passing to their left easier which is why most teams tend to be bit lop sided with better attackers on the left and better defenders on the right to counter that. We are quite lucky though having Tyrer out there who is equally as good in both departments.

I would love to see Pottsy playing on the left wing alongside Tyrer - that could be a lethal combination with Potts pace and finish. Tyrer has the skill to create the space he needs.

Agreed. Sharp will get a shed load playing outside a classy centre though.

They both can't play outside Tyrer,I'm disappointed with the signing of Saxton I think he has been a solid player in the past but that's in the past Pott is solid but no Sharp I hope Miles can return ready for the challenge after his bad injury but when you look at other clubs recruitment it's no wonder the bookies see us at the odds they do,although I do think they are being over generous.

Potts has a lot to offer and apart from his pace he shows some strength when bringing the ball out, rarely gets pushed back and often makes good yards.
Tommy if fit will still do a good job and the experience he has will help the younger lads.

Add to that Dane Manning and that is some left side attack whether it be Potts or Sharp outside Tyrer.

Happy with that as Tommy is a great club man and has good experience and will always gets you the hard yards whilst Potts is work in progress but has more to come I feel a bit like Ben Heaton, improve his defence and he will do well.