Halifax Panthers 12-19 York Knights: Match Report

Jul 25, 2025
3 min read

York Knights pulled off a remarkable second half comeback to beat Halifax Panthers 19-12 at Bartercard Odsal Stadium in the Betfred Championship.

After a tight first half, the Knights trailed 6-0 at the break, with Halifax taking the best of their chances while York made hard work of it at the end of their sets.

But three tries, including two from Ben Jones-Bishop, in the final 20 minutes turned things around for the Knights, who had trailed for an hour and struggled to find their best form for long periods of the game.

It stretches their winning run to 11 league victories and 13 in all competitions.

York had the biggest opportunities of the opening minutes on the back of a bright start. Jesse Dee went close, but Halifax’s defence prevented him from getting the ball down. Fax conceded a drop out as they got around Dee and Kieran Buchanan was then brought down short in the resulting set.

It was then the Knights turn to try and withstand pressure on their own line. A grubber kick from on loan half-back, George Whitby forced a drop out and as Halifax moved the ball quickly out wide, it was only a last ditch tackle on James Saltonstall that stopped him from opening the scoring.

Eventually, pressure from Halifax turned into points. As they moved the ball right, a pass slipped out of a tackle meant there was space in the corner for Charlie Graham to get the opening try, taking the ball from Ben Crooks.

York eventually had a spell in the Halifax half of the pitch, but couldn’t break down the Panthers’ defence. Back to back penalties allowed York repeat sets near the line, but they couldn’t find a way through.

Halifax extended their lead through a Whitby penalty in front of the posts, and with around half an hour gone, the home side looked like they had the edge.

Seconds before the half time hooter, a cross field kick from Knights' hooker Paul McShane looked to have given Scott Galeano a chance, only for him to pass back inside and the move broke down.

York needed to score first in the second half, but despite still being able to end their sets near the Halifax line they couldn’t find a way through.

At the other end of the pitch, Halifax still caused problems, with Whitby and Louis Jouffret looking to get them playing at speed. Along with York often looking out of sorts at the end of sets, the Knights had a real battle on their hands.

When the first York try came, it came in some style. Sam Cook made a break in his own 30 metre area and got the pass away to Jones-Bishop, who showed his pace to out sprint the chasing defenders from inside his own half and finish the move beneath the posts. Harris converted to level the scores with 20 minutes remaining.

When Paul McShane scooped up the ball from acting half and dived over the line six minutes later for a try converted by Harris, York took the lead for the first time.

They extended that lead with a second from Jones-Bishop. A high Harris kick wasn’t taken cleanly by Halifax, and with players around the loose ball in an offside position, Brenden Santi picked it up and fed the wing man for a crucial try. Again, Harris added the two points, and York were 12 points up with seven minutes remaining.

Will Dagger added a drop goal to put York further ahead and complete an incredible turnaround.

James Saltonstall scored in the final minute for Halifax for what was in the end just a consolation.

Halifax: Nofoaluma, Graham, Crooks, Sambou, Saltonstall, Jouffret, Whitby, Douglas, O’Brien, Calcott, McComb, Tangata, Davis

Subs (all used): Inman, Fairbank, Cowen, Halafihi

18th Player: Dixon

Tries: Graham (17), Saltonstall (79)

Goals: Whitby (2/3)

York: Mata’afa, Jones-Bishop, Buchanan, Field, Galeano, Dagger, Harris, Martin, McShane, Clark, Dee, Bailey, Thompson

Subs (all used): Cook, Santi, Hudson, Fitzsimmons

18th Player: Brown

Tries: Jones-Bishop (60, 72), McShane (66)

Goals: Harris (3/3)