It was a tough start for the South Wales Scorpions’ under 20s as they travelled, and lost 40-8, to a strong Halifax Reserves side on Sunday, January 31.
The Welsh youngsters playing in their first big test following pre-season training, took their time to get going, but credited themselves well in a strong second half.
However it was a mistake in the first minute that gave Halifax an early chance, one that they didn’t waste.
Following a knock-on from kick-off, Nick Rawsthorne crossed in the corner for an unconverted try.
They soon made it 10-0. Gaylor chased his own chip kick before sliding over, converting his own score.
Elliot Morris added Halifax’s third try, going in under the sticks after a set-up from dummy-half.
Gaylor converted to make the score 16-0.
And the fourth try came from Kiwi Aiden Hema who ran well to score. Gaylor converted again.
The fifth came from a nice bit of skill by half-back Josh Greenwood-MacDonald who set up Jordan Syme who forced his way over. Unconverted making the score 26-0.
Then the Scorpions fought back as Lewys Willacott picked up a chip kick and did well to turn and score in the corner. Ben Jones missed the kick.
However Rawsthorne had the last say of the half as he grabbed an unconverted second putting the half-time score at 30-4 to the Championship reserves side.
Scorpions attacked well from the off in the second half and it looked like the half-time talk had done them the world of good. Willacott scored in the corner again, 13 minutes into the half, to bring the score back to 30-8 after Jones’ conversion attempt went wide.
But Halifax hit back again with two quick-fire tries to put the game out of the plucky Welsh side’s reach.
First, Welsh international Ross Divorty, making his comeback after over a year out through injury, set up Rawsthorne for his hat-trick.
Then Jamie Stringer set up Hema for his second of the game, that Gaylor improved with the conversion.