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See more of the Paul Smith interview, plus all the tries from a sensational match at Batley
HALIFAX back rower Paul Smith believes the best is yet to come from matchwinning Australian half back Ben Black.
The 26 year old Australian pulled Fax out of the mire at Batley last weekend, scoring two tries and setting up three more as Matt Calland's side clung to second place with a dramatic 34-32 victory.
"Ben's a great character and he's done well for the team since he came here, but now he's starting to score some really good individual tries and dig us out of holes," enthused Smith, arguably the form second rower outside Super League this year.
"He's a real off the cuff player and I think we are still to get the best out of him.
"We don't always know what he's going to do, I sometimes don't think he knows what he's going to do, but he seems to find gaps out of nowhere.
"He's got really quick feet and can score tries from anywhere.
"The pressure was on last weekend but Ben came up with the goods for us, especially in those last five minutes."
Black's late heroics set Fax up for a geniune blockbuster on Sunday, when they host third-placed Celtic Crusaders.
John Dixon's side only trail Fax on points difference, with this weekend's winners likely to be left holding a significant advantage ahead of the final round of the regular season.
"Celtic is going to be a massive game," said Smith, who is one of a clutch of key players who have already committed themselves to Calland's cause in 2009.
"People are saying it's going to decide second place, but there's another game to come after it so it's not all on Sunday.
"They've beaten us twice already but we've been close both times without playing particularly well.
"They complete well, don't make many mistakes, but they are a talented side with a lot of skill.
"They had a good win against Leigh last weekend, and we will need to improve, but hopefully we can come away with a victory."
Match action is available thanks to the co-operation of Halifax Rugby League Club, which is working closely with the Courier to help provide an excellent RL service in the paper and online this season.The full article contains 399 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
