Panthers’ errors costly in Bulls loss

Halifax Panthers coach Simon Grix said errors and discipline cost his side in their narrow 26-22 defeat to Bradford Bulls on Easter Monday, writes Stacy Mowforth.

But he admired his players’ effort during the game, especially when they went down to 12 men following Ben Kavanagh’s sin binning in the 58th minute.

He said: “Our errors, our discipline is ultimately what lost us the game.

“The effort can't be and won't be questioned. They are trying hard, we all are, and there's no one more frustrated than the blokes that have just been stood in the room reflecting on the game.”

He praised both sets of players for competing in some poor conditions in front of a loud, large crowd at The Shay.

Grix predicts a different game when the Bulls return to The Shay in the next round of the Challenge Cup later this month, with dual registration players changing and returning players to the Bulls.

He doesn’t believe his side have too much to do to change the outcome of that game, apart from tightening up on the areas where they fell short on Monday night.

“We’ve got to be patient, honest and try our best to keep tidying up those areas and it will come,” he said.

"We’ve just got to keep coming with the same effort and persevere.”

Looking forward, Grix is not downhearted about the Panthers’ prospects for the rest of the season and knows it is all about tightening up on the areas they can control.

The Panthers return to action on Sunday when York Knights visit The Shay.

Meanwhile, Ben Forster has joined League One side Rochdale Hornets on an initial two-week loan deal.

The young forward, who joined the Panthers from the Hornets ahead of the 2023 season, is yet to make his first team debut for the club, and recently went on loan to Championship outfit Swinton Lions.

But having failed to make an appearance for Allan Coleman’s side, he has gone to the Crown Oil Arena to get some much needed game time.

He started for Hornets in their 56-16 loss at Oldham on Good Friday.