We need to keep our heads, says Roughyeds coach

SCOTT Naylor

SCOTT Naylor went through the emotional wringer when watching Roughyeds fight back from 12-0 down to level at 12-12 and then blow a gilt-edged chance to take the lead before fading out of the contest and losing 30-12.

It stretched to six the number of KP Championship games Roughyeds have lost on the bounce and Naylor believes that with each successive defeat the pressure is increasing on his squad.

He said: "Because we are desperate to get a win (for the first time since a 28-24 triumph at Dewsbury on April 30) a bit of panic creeps into our game at crucial periods and we pay for it.

"This was another frustrating game. We've shown some improvement in the last two games, but we need to stay calm and relaxed and react positively when something goes against us.

"A crucial forward-pass decision cost us dearly in the second half when the game was finely balanced and for the next 10 to 15 minutes we needed to stay calm and focused and get back into the routine of the game.

"Instead, we seemed to panic, starting to give penalties away (four in a row) and making mistakes.

"You can't afford to do that against a team like Halifax. They're a good side with a chance of finishing in the top four.

"Despite all that, the game was there for us to take when we got it back to 12-12, but we couldn't do it.

"It's a frustrating time for everyone at the club, including supporters, but it's a long season, there are a lot of games left and we need to take our chances, stay calm and remain positive.

"We also need to deal with adversity a bit better than we have been doing. You are never going to play for 80 minutes without something going wrong.

"You have to take it on the chin, continue to work hard and use the setback as motivation to go again.

"Despite all that there were a lot of positives to come out of the game too and I want us to kick-on and go again."