It's been intimated in an earlier post that it is Bens decision. Anyway he's not playing in the main event so that's that. Shame that's all

When else will I be able to buy a copy of the brochure, I want one but dont fancy carrying it round all night!

I for one cant wait until tonight!

not dining but will make a full evening of it....and as a group we are bringing afew that dont normally attend. so hopefully they will get 'hooked' on the FAX!!!!

This is James night, not Bens.....however im sure Blackk will get his moment to say bye....

8 hrs and 8 mins until 'Shay time!'

Happy little man isn't he.

A big thanks to all involved with Burleigh Bears for making James' night such a special one for him and all the crowd who turned out on his night.
The game was a fully committed one with some big hits going in.
It was a nice touch to throw some freebies into the crowd and my shirt is just the right size, cheers!!
Hope you all enjoy the rest of your stay in England and thanks once again for the entertainment.

I enjoyed it, wish I had sat in the East Stand instead of our usual position in the South. Think I would have seen more of the second half.
Well done to everyone.

I for one enjoyed last night, it was good to see some old Halifax faces pulling on the shirt

It was good to see Faz pulling on a jersey, with all the “sack faz” shemozzle it is forgotten that as a player he did an excellent job for the fax, it was good to see MC back at fax along with Dave Larder and Ben Black pulling in the shirt for one last time as well as Wrenchy and Gannon

I also enjoyed Watching Jamie Bloem, he just looked up for it in the main game as did Lee Greenwood, they have defiantly not lost their competitive edge, oli marns still looks like he canshift a bit too
A lot has been said about Ben Black and not playing in the game, however he played in the legends which is fitting and warmed up the select team and was present around the bench, vey much a part of the night, Thanks Ben for your 6 years at fax

I was a little disappointed as some of the missing names, only because they were mentioned in previous communications as playing, those being Gibbo, Paul Davidson and Marty Moana 3 of my favs from the last ten years, however that said there were 27 players in the select team and 22 on the field for the masters (some depiction but not much) put on a good night rugby along with the Bears

A very well done to all concerned in arranging this and a massive thank you to James Haley for a cracking ten years at fax







One happy fan

Jonnie

Really enjoyed the game last night and thought the turn out was good for James.

A couple of things - with regards to Blacky I heard that Batley stopped him playing after all it is them that are paying his wages.

Spoke to patto and he says he will be fit for the start of the new season.

Also Frankie went ok and seemed to playing to state a point - I heard a rumor that he may be offered a pay as you play contract so we have cover in the forwards - makes sense really as he will be staying with the club on the community side of things. He showed great hands to set up that second try !!!!

Won't Moana be playing for Heath RUFC today?

Gibbo was in camp with Wales, else he'd have been first in the dressing room. Les had indicated he would come and accommodation had been offered, but he didn't arrive. Don't blame Batley. What Ben did was what Ben wanted to do, we respect that.

I am not blaming Batley - like you say Ben perhaps could have played but if he had picked up an injury it wouldn't have been the best start to his time at Batley - I did however think both himself and Dave Larder spoke well when interviewed.

I think the danger in Ben playing in the main game was that it could have turned into a 'Farewell to Ben' do instead of a celebration of James' 10 years at Fax.

Thats a fair point that, perhaps if X-Blades want to do an "X-Blades Challenge" match again we could play Batley down at The Shay

Thought Goddard was excellent.

Their Fullback was very handy too. Someone to remember if injuries bite!

He was useful, but that was his last game. Now retired!

must say I enjoyed watching the smallest ever professional RL player playing on the shay turf.

I thought it was a great occassion, the match itself was a better contest than i was expecting, nobody held back.
Congratulations to James on his 10 years & testimonial, well done to everyone who's on his organising committee and just a note on the programme/brochure, it's an excellent production and for just a £5 !!!
The most important thing for me is the respect shown by so many people in a testimonial, ex-playing colleagues, sponsors, supporters, I don't think James could have wished for anything more from the night, almost a thousand on a cold friday night while there was a tv game, great effort for a great lad.
Nice touch from the visitors too, bringing Gary Widdop again ! He must spend more time here than he does at home nowadays, nice surprise to bump into you again mate.

He made Jermaine Wray look like a giant!

Who was our number 17?

Think someone said Andy Shickell

Saw him in the crowd so know it wasnt him! Who ever it was was really in the thick of it all game though

Danny Ekis.

BEAST

Who kicked the goal for BB ?