THE 78-0 scoreboard reading illustrated the huge gulf between a top end Championship side and the amateur game.

Pilkington Recs had no answers to the extra power of the Halifax side, and behind that could not repel the nippiness of half back Gareth Moore.

Although Recs had a real dig, showed some innovation with their plays and tried to move the ball, once the line was breached on nine minutes it became clear it was going to be a long afternoon.

Last year’s Middle 8 qualifiers Halifax were strong in the collision and repeatedly managed to sneak and offload, particularly loose forward Jacob Fairbank and old warhorse Richard Moore.

But Recs did not stand back in awe and watch the Yorkshiremen play, but it was a torrid afternoon for them.

Early on we saw Liam Bostock probing and distributing well from dummy half, veteran John Rees running the ball in strongly during his first stint his first stint and prop Jamie Smith showing no respect for reputations until he had to leave the field.

Danny Lynch put the odd crafty kick in too, to ask questions.

and off the bench Jonathan Peers provided plenty of oomph and an offload game as Recs fought to keep the scoreline respectable.

After tackling keenly, Gareth Moore put on a simple play for Ed Barber to stroll through for the first of Halifax’s 14 tries.

The dam did not burst and it was 24 minutes before Fax crossed again, this time through half Connor Robinson.

But then the score began to blow out before the break with tries from ex-Saint Miles Greenwood, Adam Tangata, Gareth Moore and Brandon Moore making it 34-0 at the interval.

The second half became a procession of scores with Luke Ambler, 2, Robinson’s second, Gareth Moore’s second, Sam Smeaton, Jake Eccleston, Jacob Fairbank and a gallop from veteran ex-Leeds and Wakefield Super League man Richard Moore.

Halifax did not let up, and even in the last two minutes seemed hungry for more points.

Recs took the ovation from a healthy crowd in front of the Langtree Park South Stand - and at least the packed stand should put some money in the coffers.