Date

H/A

Match Reports

Read how the Eagles did in 2004

Hunslet Hawks   (H) Sunday 19th September

Hunslet coach Roy Sampson said in interview during the week that he knew that the Eagles had beaten his team twice this year (40-14 and 50-10) , "But they could come a cropper this time." He was not joking when he gave that warning, because that is exactly what did occur. The Hawks came out with enthusiasm and stamina and a game plan that worked, because they stuck to it.

The whole line-up knew their jobs but credit must go to two key players. Veteran prop Dean Sampson was a real workhorse up the middle and, considering the emotions at the Jungle the other night as Castleford made the drop, he proved to be a true professional for Hunslet. Latham Tawhai returned from injury just in time. He orchestrated the defence and the attack, adding to his team's points with a try and a drop goal.

But it was Sheffield who got off to a better start. They got back-to-back sixes and managed to knock-on with the line at their mercy. But that became the tale of the night for the home side. Hard tackling by both sides brought about two Hunslet penalties in succession, the latter from which Paul Gleadhill took the two on offer.

Andy Raleigh, who sometimes appeared to be carrying on a lone battle both in defence and attack, came through on a charge and earned a penalty for a head high tackle. The Hawks were penalised twice more in two minutes and Aled James missed both chances. Sheffield knocked on over the line again in the next set and Hunslet then decided that they had given the Eagles enough chances. After the ball appeared to have been reefed they moved it left and centre Danny Cook was on hand to register the first try. Gleadhill kicked the first of his five goals.

The Eagles pressured and forced a drop out. Out of this Scott Collins scooted from dummy half to dive in. James was off again. The Eagles would have been ahead at this point if all the goals had been converted.

Things went from mediocre to bad when an Eagles' dropped ball at a scrum gave Paul Seal a tight try on the line between the posts. Three minutes later a Tawhai 40/20 and a grubber kick found Sheffield players seemingly waiting to allow Wayne Freeman to ground the ball against his old club.

The Hawks were playing like they meant it, like they really wanted to get to the next round of the play-offs. In defence their 11 man line was being directed from behind by Tawhai and effectively stopping the Sheffield forwards in their tracks. With such a compact line there was space on the outsides but the home side half-backs never seemed to notice the overlaps, until it was too late.

The star of last week's encounter with London, Jimmy Pearson, replaced Aled James and booted a 40/20. Just as the Eagles could have got on a roll the refereee judged the last pass as forward. The home fans would have been pleased if he had appeared to be addressing both sides equally on this count. The break came as a relief to those fans, hoping for a regroup.

It was not to be, as Hunslet full back Chris Hall was on the end of a flowing move to the right within four minutes of the restart. The Hawks were pacey and hard to bring down. On defence they utilised all the time they could to keep Sheffield grounded in the tackle. This effectively snuffed out a lot of attempts to get a roll on.

However the Eagles did strike back. On the back of a penalty Jordan James charged in under the crossbar and Pearson goaled. This effort was just a flash in the pan as Chris Hall grabbed his second minutes later. It was all looking too easy for the visitors. Missed tackles allowed them to eat up the metres and to add insult to injury Tawhai took the time given him to land a drop goal. He followed this up with his try by the posts as he tore through a ragged and mesmerised defence.

Everything was coming off for the Hawks. They say confidence makes up for a lot and the visitors were confident indeed with their offloads, passes and kicking; it was all working.
They finished their scoring with a beautiful Tawhai chip kick which he collected and handed on to Gareth Rayner.

The last try of Sheffield's 2004 season came from Aled James and was goaled by Pearson on the 80th minute.

The Eagles players and coaching staff now have a long off-season to decide where they go from here. Some players, who have been consistent in an inconsistent team, may not be at Don Valley next year if they have caught the eye of other clubs. As one dejected supporter said, "They just can't seem to perform when it matters."

The Hunslet Hawks march on, and deservedly so, their tactics were spot on. And on the form they were in tonight, they will certainly give Workington a hard time next week.

Sheffield Eagles rounded off a far from satisfactory regular season with a resounding victory over a much-improved London Skolars, who had been looking for a play-off place themselves. The victory illustrated what the Sheffield side are capable of inflicting when they are in the mood. Coach Mark Aston's tactics were proven right, coming on the back of his remarks about the Swinton game, "I was far from pleased with our performance at Swinton last week. Some players didn't do themselves justice, as they will find out when they are not in the team on Sunday."

A reshuffled back line was put on display this week. The forwards had been playing well and setting the platform but the backs had not shown corresponding skills at finishing opponents off. It was this that Aston was looking to fix.

Suddenly, though, there was another matter that needed fixing. Five minutes into the game, after he had converted Jordan James' third minute try, Gavin Brown was escorted from the field after he was involved in a heavy tackle. He left the ground with a suspected broken arm.

Despite the early try, London looked dangerous and were making good use of dummy runners. But the Eagles defence was tight and hard and caused the Skolars to drop balls. Once they were back on attack the home side were playing fast play-the-balls and threatening to break the line. Man of the match Scott Collins stepped up his game, made a quick break and sent another man of the match candidate, Steve Doherty in. Jimmy Pearson was now the designated goal-kicker but missed on this first attempt.

With the loss of Brown, Pearson had come off the bench to slot in at 6 and Doherty went to 7. As the game rolled on it became evident that a new half-back pairing was in the making, so well did the two combine. Pearson had just turned down overtures from Sheffield RU last week in order to stay with the Eagles. He was probably fairly happy with himself at the end of the game, having quadrupled his points tally for the season! He made one or two mistakes in the kicking department but more than earned the Gamestar award for coming off the bench straight into an unfamiliar position and making it work for him.

A wild Skolars pass was picked up by Jack Howieson, who put in a typical hard-working afternoon. Five metres from the line Pearson flicked a pass out the back door of a tackle for the onrushing Doherty to collect his brace. Pearson got into the swing of things and converted his first of six.

The Skolars continued to press, earning relieving penalties, but they could not come up with a score, despite sustained pressure. With the ball back in hand Andy Raleigh made a bullocking run up the pitch for a Pearson pass to find the lurking Andy Poynter. Two minutes later Poynter consolidated his position as Eagles' top try-scorer when he got his 16th of the season with a burst from dummy half after a Pearson 40/20.

After the break the Skolars came out fired up. They had something to prove. They had been better than this this year. But the Eagles continued to be relentless and committed. Despite the opposition coming near to scoring, it was the home team who put points on the board. Jordan James grabbed his second, stepping out of tackles and through the defence.

A badly directed kick from Pearson swung away from the line, was picked up by winger Carl de Chenu, who drove forward with more belief than hope and grounded in the right hand corner. The defences on both sides were hard and uncompromising. Some big hits were going in, but London did not appear to have the finishing skills and their defence was beginning to tire. A huge Doherty bomb was fumbled over the line and Jon Breakingbury was the first to react.

A penalty downfield gave the Skolars the chance they were seeking. At last the hard work that Peter Hannan and Jermaine Coleman had been putting in came to fruition. The ball moved unerringly from hand to hand, then loose forward Mark Cantoni spun off a play-the-ball to power in on the right and Joel Osborn goaled.

With just over ten minutes to go the game was won, but the Eagles had something to say to whomever they might meet in the play-offs. Four tries in those last 11 minutes from Breakingbury, Simon Tillyer, Kieron Collins and Nick Turnbull (now on 15 tries), coupled with a two players sin-binned, gave the Skolars a lesson about play-off football.

The most bizarre incident came at the last. The match had been generally well refereed, making a lovely change. Possibly a little pedantic, but Mr. Hewer told Pearson, when he had missed the final conversion, to take it again because the London players had been standing over the line! Jimmy did not need asking twice. This time he made sure.

It was not a memorable ending to the Skolars season, but they can look back on a lot of improvement and there is no doubt that they are a worthy NL2 team. Mark Aston's thoughts were, "It's down to the players, but we are still capable of reaching the Grand Final and winning it." On this showing, that comment is spot on.
 

BARROW are just 160 minutes away from being crowned division two champions after a well-earned victory over challengers Sheffield.

Inspired by stand-in skipper Darren Holt, the Raiders shot into a 19-0 interval lead, but with a gusty strong wind to face in the second period, it was not all over bar the shouting. However the lead was stretched to 25-0 early in the second half with a bizarre try from Matt Leigh which put further daylight between the two teams.
Halfback Holt attempted a penalty goal, but his kick went high and wide of the post, and the ball hung for an age before dropping in the swirling wind and in nipped Leigh to score the vital try. With Holt’s goal, it left a tall order for the Eagles.

Barrow coach Peter Roe was a delighted man. ‘The lads were in the right frame of mind and were well prepared, they were totally focused all week,” he said. Holt was the inspirational figure for Barrow, leading from the front with a try, five goals, and three thumping field goals. Sheffield came back strongly midway through the second half, crossing twice within four minutes after successfully gaining a brace of 40-20’s to leave the game balanced at 25-10. But the Barrow defence continued to tackle like tigers to keep the Eagles out for the rest of the game and the visitors never looked like crossing again.

Veteran Phil Atkinson, in his testimonial year, gained the greatest applause of the day when he intercepted to race 45 yards - even he couldn’t believe the distance he ran - to cross for the game breaker. It was a sweet moment for Atkinson, who had and was first to the ball following a appeared from now he battled back from a broken collarbone and a broken bone in his foot to reclaim a place on the bench.

Barrow had made a dream start scoring as early as the second minute when Holt chipped to the corner and Eagles winger Bright Sodje knocked on. Holt went from the scrum base to score and kicked the goal as well for a 6 - 0 lead. And it was also a dream debut for Barrow’s new Aussie recruit, 21-year old Matt McConnell. The ex-Souths player only touched down on Thursday and was first to the ball following a high bomb from Holt which rebounded beneath the former I and a broken bone in his foot to off a couple of defenders to double the scoreline. Holt’s first field goal and a 30-metre penalty for offside pushed Barrow 15 - 0 up, and just before the half-hour he snatched his second one-pointer after a sweeping raid. Three minutes later came Sheffield’s one and only first-half chance when Jon Bruce released Andy Poynter, and the fullback was only half-halted by Bower as he went for the line - but Mike Whitehead appeared from nowhere to get his body beneath the former Leeds junior and deny the try.

It meant a HoIt penalty and his third and final field goal rounded off the half and left the Eagles still scoreless.
But Into the stiff wind, the second was still crucial for Barrow. And from the kick-off. Holt failed to send he ball ten metres. putting his side under pressure as Sheffield gained ground with the tap penalty.

Barrow held out and a great 50 metre break from Barry Pugh put them back on the front foot. Paul Jones continued the good work, but was held down by Poynter, giving Holt another shot at two points. The ball sailed high and wide - but dropped for the alert Leigh to touch down. The visitors found another gear with those two 40 / 20s, and from the first scrum Gavin Brown gave the pass for Alex Dickinson to cross, although Brown missed the conversion attempt. Four minutes later, their second 40/20 brought another score with Jordan James crashing in for Brown to goal. Both Leigh and Nick Beech jumped high to take testing Brown kicks as the pressure mounted, but Atkinson crowned a fine victory and the double over the Eagles when he intercepted to race to the corner for his 99th career try.
 

RAMPANT EAGLES POWER TO VICTORY

SHEFFIELD Eagles looked like a side running into top form at the right time as they destroyed Hunslet Hawks at Don Valley Stadium.

For the third game running the Eagles rattled up 50 points – but coach Mark Aston wanted more. He said: "We are scoring some nice tries and playing some nice rugby but we still have our lapses. When you get a team down you have to keep pounding them and if we had done that we would have rattled up another 20 points."

The win gives the Eagles a league double over the Hawks but more importantly keeps them in the race for the National Two title. They have a crucial match at Barrow next weekend but are still well behind York City Knights on points difference.

The Eagles had too much power in all areas against an injury-hit Hunslet side as they scored 10 tries including a second-half hat-trick for second row Jordan James.
Sheffield exposed Hunslet's lack of bite in a game, the result of which was never in doubt from midway through the first half when the Eagles led 20-4. The Hawks looked like a beaten side that just wanted to get back on the bus long before the final hooter.
Some Sheffield play was patchy but their defence was in dominant form and denied the Hawks a point in the final 40 minutes.

Much of the Eagles' best play came from stand-off Aled James who enjoyed his best game for the club claiming two tries and kicking a goal. Former Bradford Dudley Hill centre Alex Dickinson opened the scoring for the Eagles. Hunslet hit back through centre Garth Murell but were only level for five minutes before a diagonal run by fullback Andy Poynter from a Gavin Brown pass split the Hunslet defence.
Tries for centre Nick Turnbull and Aled James soon took the Eagles well clear but with five minutes of the half to go a breakaway try by George Rayner reduced the gap to 20-8.

The Eagles dominated the second half - denying Hunslet a point and scoring six tries starting with Aled James's second on 43 minutes. Jordan James showed his raw power as he burst through tackles with well-timed runs to claim his hat-trick of tries.
Turnbull got a second and substitute winger Greg Hurst scored his tenth try of the season in the league.  Gavin Brown kicked four goals.

Dewsbury Rams (A) Sunday 8th August  

Rampant Eagles Ram home nine-try

THE Eagles boosted their title charge in National League Two with an emphatic nine-try victory at Ram Stadium.

Full-back Andy Poynter led the way with a hat-trick of tries while scrum-half Gavin Brown was at the heart of the success collecting 19 points.

The Eagles raced into a 28-0 lead before the hard-working Rams threatened a revival with tries either side of the break. But after Dewsbury¹s Richard Chapman, signed on loan from Featherstone, was sent off, Sheffield cruised home. Second-row Jordan James crashed over in the sixth minute after Aled James's grubber kick rebounded off a home tackler near the line. Gavin Brown landed a penalty before Poynter's drive in the 17th minute set up the Eagles' second try as Andy Raleigh fed Aled James who dived over. Two minutes later Brown stretched out for a try, after Jon Bruce had been held short, before James¹s neat offload 20 yards out sent Poynter clear for his first touchdown. Brown added both goals.

The Eagles continued to press and in the 34th minute Ryan Dickinson's fine one-handed pass put Poynter over and with Brown¹s conversion the Eagles were in control leading 28-0. Dewsbury hit back a minute before half-time when Adam Thaler¹s dummy created the gap and he raced over for a try which he also converted.

The Rams gained further success two minutes after the break when after a kick was spilled, they moved play quickly from a scrum and Chris Redfearn fed Oliver Fairbank who dived over at the right corner. Dewsbury went close again before Chapman was sent off in the 51st minute for a punch following a flare-up in midfield. After that, the Eagles regained the initiative as Brown fed Jack Howieson who was tackled by three men but still managed to crash over near the posts. Brown added the goal and he was on target again after an hour to convert Poynter¹s hat-trick try. The Eagles broke clear down the right and Brown sent the ball inside for Poynter to race clear and touch down. Four minutes later winger Carl De Chenu raced through a static defence to pounce on a neat grubber kick for a try at the right corner.

The Eagles capped a fine display 10 minutes from time when Raleigh went over for a try after a Brown¹s charge created the opening. Brown landed his seventh goal and rounded things off with a late drop-goal. 

Gateshead Thunder (H) Sunday 1st August 

Rampant Eagles are just too hot to handle

SHEFFIELD Eagles blasted away strugglers Gateshead Thunder with a first-half display that was as hot as the soaring temperatures at Don Valley stadium.

The Eagles scored 10 tries – including a hat-trick for winger Carl DeChenu – as they edged closer to Barrow Raiders at the top of the LHF Healthplan National Two. The win and Barrow's defeat by York City Knights means the Eagles are just two points behind the Cumbrians who they play later this month.

Eagles boss Mark Aston said: "I knew York would bounce back and it puts us another notch closer to Barrow – we can determine who wins this league. We have to play Hunslet and Barrow and we have to win all our games that's the main thing."

The Eagles had the game won by half-time as they led 34-4. The second half saw Aston make a number of substitutions to combat the effects of the heat – particularly on his forwards. He added: "I would have liked more points in the second half when we looked a little bit complacent and I think we switched off a bit. But you've got to be happy with 54-10. It has worked out well but the weather was a big factor and we tried to rotate the forwards as much as possible."

Scrum-half Gavin Brown produced another dominant display to run the show with great support from Andy Raleigh, Scott Collins, Aled James and Craig Brown. Gavin Brown's short pass sent in centre Alex Dickinson for the first try and he had a hand in the first of second row Jordan James's two tries in the space of three minutes early in the half.
Gateshead hit back with a try from substitute forward Paul Dodsworth but they made a string of errors, which handed the game to the Eagles. Gavin Brown played a one-two with Craig Brown before the prop powered his way over the try line. Winger Carl DeChenu and loose-forward Sean Dickinson added tries late in the half for a 34-4 lead at the break.

Gateshead scored the first try of the second half through Paul Thorman who added the goal but it was to be their only points of the half. The Eagles went through a scrappy spell but came back to take control and de Chenu scored two tries to complete his hat-trick.
In between fullback Greg Hurst burst through for a try and Craig Brown added a second try with a 35-metre burst.

Gavin Brown finished with seven goals from 10 kicks and passed the 300-point mark in two-point goals for the Eagles.

Eagles get automatic promotion challenge back on track

SHEFFIELD Eagles rediscovered the art of winning with a vital victory over title rivals York City Knights .

It ended a run of three defeats at Don Valley Stadium and keeps alive the Eagles' hopes of automatic promotion from National Two. Inspired by scrum-half Gavin Brown they dominated a strong York side who were the pre-season title favourites. "This was a big game and a big performance from the lads - they were outstanding but now we have to keep on doing this," said coach Mark Aston.

The Eagles produced a display of controlled exciting rugby that exploited mistakes by York. They defended well and showed an ability to come from behind, take the lead and then hold it under pressure, something that has been missing in recent defeats.
York got off to a blistering start with a try from Danny Brough who collected his own chip before touching down. But a wild pass by York's Austin Buchanan opened the way for centre Alex Dickinson to level the scores and Gavin Brown gave the Eagles the lead with two penalties.

York, inspired by former Eagles stars Scott Rhodes and Lee Jackson, enjoyed a period of pressure but handling mistakes saw their moves break down in the final 20 metres. The Eagles finished the half strongly with substitute prop Andy Rice blasting through defenders to cross the line for their second try and Gavin Brown twisting over the whitewash. Brown converted one of the tries for an 18-4 lead at half-time.

York put in a big effort from the restart and looked capable of stealing the game with tries from prop Yusuf Sozi on 48 minutes and sub Mark Cain two minutes later - both from passes by Rhodes. Brough kicked his first goal of the game to reduce the lead to four points. But Brown steadied the Eagles with a 35 metre drop goal and they started to deny York possession. Andy Poynter celebrated his return from injury with a try from acting half-back on 67 minutes to seal the win.

The Eagles made sure York didn't mount a late challenge and Aled James finished the scoring with penalty in the final minute.

Dismal Eagles fail to home in

SHEFFIELD Eagles' dismal run of home form turned into a nightmare at Don Valley as Chorley Lynx made it three defeats in a row.

The Eagles looked to have taken control late in the first half only to throw the win away in the second after, at one point, levelling the scores at 24-24. Referee Phil Bentham was the villain for many fans with a string of penalties for the visitors and some doubtful decisions on tries scored by Chorley and Eagles efforts disallowed.

The Eagles now look to be out of the title race after leading the LHF National Two less than a month ago. Coach Mark Aston said: "I'm disappointed for the supporters at the moment because we're not playing well. We're playing like a team with no confidence, no belief and a bit of soft attitude."

Chorley took an early lead with two penalties from stand-off Brian Capewell in the first 15 minutes. With props Andy Rice and Jon Bruce making hard yards and Gavin Brown battling for control at half-back with Chorleys Martin Gambles the Eagles had their best spell late in the half. Browns long pass sent in winger Carl De Chenu for the first try on 27 minutes. A minute from the break, following a 40-20 kick, Sean Dickinson's short pass was collected on the burst by Greg Hurst who crashed over. Gavin Brown converted both tries for a 12-4 half-time lead.

Prop Ian Parry exploited slackness in the Eagles defence to cross the line two minutes after the restart and on 55 minutes Gambles kicked through for Jamie Stenhouse to touchdown with the Eagles claiming Aled James had made the ball dead first. Capewell added the goals and a long-range penalty two minutes for 12-18 lead. A Jordan James try and Brown kicking his 700th point for the Eagles levelled the scores but again Chorley went ahead with a Danny Barton try and Capewell goal. Centre Nick Turnbull's try with Gavin Browns goal again brought the Eagles level at 24-24 but Capewell edged the Lynx ahead with a drop goal and with seven minutes to go Parrys second try sealed the win.

SORRY EAGLES GET NOTHING 

SWINTON Lions roared away with this game and savage Sheffield Eagles title hopes in the LHF Healthplan National Two. The Lions weathered two major periods of Eagles pressure at the start of each half and came back to first take the lead and then make the win money safe. In Mick Coates and Paul Ashton Swinton had the dominant halfback pairing and in fullback Wayne English the game’s domi­nant individual. Coach Paul Kidd can now look forward to a place in the play-offs where on this form the Lions could prove hard to handle. "I'm certainly satisfied but I’ll be even more satisfied provided we keep going on from here and get some consistency week in week out, said Kidd. We’ve put two performances together now   including the Chorley one  but now we must move forward. wayne English played very well, Mick Coates’ kicking game was outstanding and Ian Hodson went very well at loose forward. But the whole team contributed.”

The Eagles had Andy Rice in at prop for Jack Howieson who started a four-match ban for being sent off for punching in the win at Hunslet last month. Top try scorer Andy Poynter and Richard Goddard were miss­ing injured. Poor handling and wild final balls denied the Eagles early chances as they put on pres­sure which should have brought tries. At the other end Coates tested stand-in fullback Greg Hurst and winger Carl De Chenu with high hanging kicks and English produced a couple of good runs out of defence.

Gavin Brown opened the scor­ing for the Eagles on 15 minutes with a penalty for offside after breaks by Andy Raleigh and Jordan James had taken Sheffield within five metres of the Swinton line. Ashton leveled the scores with a 40 metre penalty on 20 min­utes. Coates and Ashton were keep­ing Swinton moving but poor han­dling and strong Sheffield defence denied them clear openings. A weaving run by Hurst taken on by Bright Sodje produced a burst of excitement but wild passes saw the move breakdown.

The Eagles paid for not taking their chances as Swinton grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck in a dramatic final ten minutes of the half. Ashton from a 10 metre scrum followed by a break from English saw centre Chris Maye twisting to touchdown over the line for the first try on 29 min­utes. Ashton missed the kick. Swinton kept up the pressure with Ian Hodson providing an almost lazy overhead pass for Kris Smith to score on the right five minutes later. Ashton added the goal for a 12-2 lead

The Lions were looking confi­dent and moving the ball fast and a penalty on the hooter by Ashton sent them in 14-2 ahead. Aled James almost gave the Eagles the start they needed but dropped the ball as he stretched for the line two minutes after the restart. They piled on the pres­sure with Andy Raleigh, Jon Bruce and Andy Rice producing power runs. Centre Nick Turnbull’s weaving run from the left gave Sheffield hope on 47 minutes with Gavin Brown adding the goal.

Ten minutes later a Turnbull break followed by a Gavin Brown cross-field kick which Chris Irwin couldn't take under pres­sure from Aled James ended with Jordan James touching down. The Eagles had closed the gap to two points Bin Swinton hit back with three killer tries in an 11 minute spell starting as English and Hodson cut through the Eagles defence for Rob Russell to finish the move and Aston added the goal on 64 minutes. The Lions weren't going to let the game slip away and a high kick to the Eagles right by Ashton was touched down by winger Chris Irwin on 71 minutes. Hooker Peter Canon forced his way over near the posts and Ashton added the goal with five minutes to go.

Hurst scored what was very much a consolation try for the Eagles a minute from time. The defeat was t e Eagles third in the league and their second in successive games a Don Valley. Coach Mark Aston said: “We got out of the game what we put into it - nothing.”

Top of flops as lacklustre Eagles halted

SHEFFIELD Eagles were knocked off their perch at the top of the LHFHealthplan National Two going down 24-16 to Barrow Raiders.

The defeat allows York City Knights to take over top spot with the Eagles slipping behind the Raiders. The Eagles came up against a well-drilled but unspectacular Barrow side that preserved Peter Roe's record of having never lost a game as a coach at Don Valley Stadium.

It was a lacklustre performance by the Eagles who were a shadow of the team that has won the last three games. A first half calf injury to Richard Goddard proved a major blow just as he was starting to produce breaks which made the Barrow defensive line look flat-footed. Skipper Jon Bruce was as usual strong going forward, Andy Raleigh produced good breaks and Gavin Brown was always trying to set up passing moves. The early points came from penalties with Barrow's Darren Holt kicking the first on two minutes.
Holt added three more with Goddard notching two for the Eagles before the deadlock was broken on 31 minutes.

A great break by Raleigh split the Barrow defence and his overhead pass sent in centre Nick Turnbull. Gavin Brown missed the conversion but added a penalty just before the break to give the Eagles a 10-8 lead.
 

The game was finally decided by two tries in five minutes for Barrow starting on 42 minutes with a break by Shane Irabor. Centre Damien Reid's interception and 30 metre run added a second with Holt kicking one of the goals. The Eagles tried desperately to break back but were met with determined defence. Three penalties from Andy Pate, the last after Eagles' Jordan James was sin binned, to a penalty from Gavin Brown extended Barrow's lead.

A late try from winger Greg Hurst was small consolation for the Eagles.

Jack's a knockout as Eagles triumph easily

BULLIES sometimes get away with their crimes but they didn't as Sheffield Eagles tightened their grip at the top of the league.

But handing out a dose of justice - with what appeared to be a straight right - could cost prop Jack Howieson.Two minutes from time a clash between Howieson and Shaun Ibbetson left the Hunslet player out for the count. But the video is likely to show that the second row was more the sinner during this game as Hunslet tried to use strong-arm tactics against a classy Eagles outfit. It took the edge off an exciting performance that kept the Eagles out in front in the LHF National League Two.

"There was plenty of niggling going on throughout the game," said Eagles coach Mark Aston. "The amazing thing is that we were very disciplined until the last few minutes."
Howieson will face a disciplinary hearing after the red card but Hunslet must also explain what appeared to be an attack on him by a Hunslet player as he went down the tunnel.
 

The Howieson incident came during the game's second mass brawl but it was the first punch-up after only eight minutes that sparked the Eagles into action. Within a minute Gavin Brown - who was back to his best as the half-back 'bossman' - produced the perfect dummy to score the Eagles' first try. Next Brown provided the final pass for Nick Turnbull to cross the whitewash after a lead-up from Scott Collins and Steve Doherty. Hooker Collins broke from acting half-back and his pass out of the tackle sent in Doherty for a try against his old club.

The Eagles finished a devastating 30-minutes spell with Andy Rice - on a substitute prop - producing a 20 metre break which was finished by full-back Andy Poynter for his seventh try in the league. Richard Goddard added all four conversions and Hunslet had to settle for an early penalty from Jon Liddell.

Within minutes of the start of the second half Gavin Brown had provided the passes for the impressive Andy Raleigh to blast through for two tries. Goddard's goals put the Eagles 36-2 ahead. The foot slipped off the gas and tries by Steve Hall, Wayne Freeman and Jamaine Wray narrowed the gap but penalties from Goddard and Aled James took the Eagles to their highest points tally of the league season.

Eagles do double on Cumbrian rivals in a week

SHEFFIELD Eagles won't have to play Workington Town again this season - and they're happy about that.

Twice in seven days the Eagles have had to dig deep to take the points off a Cumbrian outfit that fight for every ball - sometimes a little too literally. But the Eagles can look back on a successful seven days - two games against Town, two wins and four points. Eagles coach Mark Aston didn't try to disguise his relief: "I'm glad we've got that out of the way and have four points because Town are improving and will be a lot harder to beat later in the season but we have still a way to go - at times we weren't clever out there."

With other sides involved in the Arriva Cup play-off the win takes the Eagles to the top of the LHF Healthplan National League Two. The Eagles have to thank the experience of Richard Goddard - operating first in the second row then at stand-off for giving them the edge. And Andy Raleigh who produced the moment and the tackle of the game when dashing back 60 metres to stop Tane Manihera who looked to be through after intercepting a pass in his own 20-metre zone. A passing move by Scott Collins, Steve Doherty and Gavin Brown opened the way for Richard Goddard to burst through the Town line and touchdown on 12 minutes. Goddard added the goal.

Manihera took the score level when hesitation in the Eagles defence allowed him to touchdown and then add the goal. A penalty by Goddard on 35 minutes - his 200th goal for the Eagles - edged the home side ahead but Manihera again levelled with a penalty four minutes later to send the sides in at 8-8.

The second half opened with a bit of a mass punch up with referee Julian King taking the easy way out and putting the incident on report but giving Eagles the penalty. A snappy pass from Goddard opened the way for Andy Poynter to break the deadlock on 56 minutes. Goddard kicked the goal and eased the gap a little further with a drop goal on 64 minutes. Hooker Scott Collins sealed the game with a try after Kieron Collins - who had been on the receiving end of some 'heavy' Town tackles - collected a high ball and although Goddard missed the kick he added a late penalty.

Sheffield Eagles forced to cling on for victory

SHEFFIELD were hanging on at the end after appearing to have the game well won approaching the final quarter. When Andy Raleigh crashed over on 51 minutes and Aled James put over his eighth goal of the game, the Eagles had a 36-14 lead. But Workington scored three converted tries to put the pressure right back onto the Eagles. Sheffield were happy to play out the final tackles when earlier it had appeared to be a case of damage limitation for the Cumbrians.

Workington scored first when Neil Frazer went in for a try which was converted by Tane Manihera, who then added a penalty. However, Sheffield had the game’s outstanding talent in stand-off James, making his Eagles debut.

Slack defending provided Sheffield with their first try as Andy Poynter followed up his own short kick to score. A kick from James three minutes later bounced awk­wardly for home full-back Andrew Fearon and Bright Sodje arrived to touch down. When loose forward Jordan James hoisted a huge kick for the corner, Sodje climbed above a clutch of Workington defenders to make a clean catch and score.

A penalty by James extended Sheffield’s lead before Workington hit back with a try by Andy McGlasson. Manihera converted. James put over a penalty from five yards inside his own half to give Sheffield a 22-14 interval lead.

After the restart James kicked a penalty before Doherty went over by the posts. Sheffield scored again through Raleigh before Work­ington’s late flourish.

Eagles finally get back to Don Valley and win
 

SHEFFIELD Eagles emphasised their championship challenge with an impressive return to the city after nine weeks away from their Don Valley home. Despite having several key players missing - including half-back Gavin Brown - the Eagles were too powerful for a game Dewsbury side. The Rams certainly proved they could defend as the Eagles power pack led by a bulldozer in skipper Jon Bruce, Jack Howieson and Andy Raleigh penned them in their half for most of the game. That gave Richard Goddard and Ryan Dickinson, making his debut at scrum-half, the opportunity to control play.

Winger Greg Hurst impressed with two tries and only a mix of gritty Rams defending, poor final ball choices and handing mistakes by the Eagles kept the score down. “We went forward very well and look really strong but we didn’t get the outcomes on the last plays,” admitted coach Mark Aston. “We were inconsistent and didn’t look fluid with the ball in our hands but its the first home game and a decent win. “I thought that it was outstand-ing that we played for 70 plus minutes and didn’t concede.”

The defeat brought to an end Dewsbury’s recent revival but coach Andy Kelly was boosted by the way his side battled to the end. “It was a setback with the ball in hand and the footballing element was non-existent,” he said. “We lost structure and didn’t ask questions and pose threats. “Defensively I thought we took a step forward because the amount of possession we gave to Sheffield most sides would have conceded a lot more points. “There was no lack of commitment or endeavour we just lacked ideas with the ball.
Defensively we were very dogged and probably earned the chance of a couple of scores at the end of the game for that alone. “But we just kept giving them the ball back. If you keep giving the ball back to people like Johnny Bruce and young Howieson they are going to enjoy their evening.”

The Eagles claim to have made rugby league history by playing three brothers - Ryan, Alex and Sean Dickinson signed from Bradford Dudley Hill,  in the same side. Seventeen-year-old Ryan also became the youngest ever to appear for the Eagles in a senior game. Hurst scored Sheffield’s first after six minutes from Jon Breakingbury’s pass, Goddard adding the goal. Goddard and Dewsbury's Dyson were sent to the sin fighting on 17 minutes. Breakingbury got the second try on 26 minutes and Goddard increased the Eagles lead to 12-0 shortly before half-time with a penalty after he was the victim of a high tackle by Adam Thaler.

Less than two minutes after the restart Hurst squeezed in at the corner from Breakingbury’s pass for his second try. Dewsbury’s best chances came from breakaways but Andy Poynter and Bright Sodje were quick to slam the door. Goddard added a penalty and Ryan Dickinson finished the impressive Poynter’s 30-metre break for a debut try. Goddard’s goal made it 24-0 with 15 minutes to go. As the Eagles pulled off experienced players the Rams got two tries in the final four minutes from Dyson and Adam Thaler with Jamie Benn kicking the goals.

Eagles like lightning to silence Thunder

Sheffield Eagles comfortably won the battle of the phoenix clubs as Mark Aston's side eased to a 42-6 win at National League Two basement club Gateshead Thunder.

The struggling Tynesiders hadn't won for almost a year, a dismal run of 23 games, and it showed in a one-sided first half. Eagles ran in five unopposed tries with full-back Andy Poynter and debutant centre Alex Dickinson both scoring twice to open up an unassailable 26-0 half-time lead. Sheffield failed to match their dominant first half display but still had enough in the tank to add three further tries.

"It was a pretty low key affair," said Aston. "We never got out of mid-gear and we need to learn to keep the foot on the pedal. But when we did step it up, Gateshead struggled. We made a lot of changes and included four debutants while I took the opportunity to rest a couple of players in the second half. But we played well in patches and got the job done. We've now won three from four and I'm getting closer to deciding what my strongest side is."

Gateshead offered little resistance in a one-sided first half with Poynter touching down twice in the opening ten minutes. Richard Goddard, an influential player throughout, converted both tries and when Thunder winger Mike Bunting spilled Gavin Brown's bomb Greg Hurst pounced. Debutant Alex Dickinson, brother of sub Sean, scored twice inside three minutes. Gateshead had rarely threatened but after Nick Turnbull grabbed the first of his two tries the Tynesiders began to dominate field position on the back of a 12-4 penalty count. Sloppy play in midfield saw Gateshead hooker Neil Thorman capitalise as he kicked forward before gathering and touching down.
 

With playmaker Brown on the bench, the Eagles lost their earlier momentum but still had enough quality to add two further tries. Turnbull took Andy Rice's difficult pass for his second try and Goddard put prop Jackie Howieson over.

"We're not far off," added Aston "and after a month without a home game it'll be great to play at the Don Valley again."

No fun in sun as Eagles are beaten

IT was torment in the sun as Sheffield Eagles lost their unbeaten league record with a start-stop performance at York City Knights.

In a thrilling high-speed game, at critical times the Eagles couldn't take the heat. Six years to the day to when the Eagles beat Wigan Warriors in the Challenge Cup, this wasn't the way to celebrate past glories. The side failed to keep the pressure on and allowed their former stand-off Scott Rhodes to burn them away and keep York as favourites for the National League Two title. True the Eagles were hit by a baffling decision from Wigan referee Mike Dawber to allow York's second try but many of the problems were of their own making.

Coach Mark Aston said: "We were not building the pressure, putting the kicks in to the in goal - we were kicking dead and giving penalties away on the line and dropping the ball. We got beat by Scott Rhodes - he determined the speed of the game."

Andy Poynter, Andy Raleigh, Craig Brown and Greg Hurst produced outstanding efforts but the Eagles were always chasing the game after a bright opening. Scott Walker opened the scoring but Mark Stewart looked to have been taken into touch by Hurst only for Mr Dawber to give the four-pointer. Aston was diplomatic: "Let's say if it had been in Super League and there had been the video ref it would have been interesting to see the call," he said.

The Eagles would have been in closer touch if John Breakingbury was a better juggler when taking Hurst's pass. They had to settle for a strong finish from winger Kieron Collins, set up by Richard Goddard and Nick Turnbull on 25 minutes. Darren Callaghan's try on 40 minutes made it 14-4. Gavin Brown's pass sent in Breakingbury three minutes after the restart. Goddard added the goal but the Eagles couldn't keep up the pressure and Stewart 's second try was followed by two drop goals from Brough in as many minutes to steady York's nerves. Tries from James Elston and Aaron Wood, with Brough's second successful conversion, took the York total to 30 points.

Raleigh was held up over the line on 72 minutes but finally got the try his defiant performance deserved a minute later. Gavin Brown added the goal. Nathan Graham's last minute try for York was academic.

Seven-up Eagles in dramatic fightback

A DEVASTATING burst of try scoring saw Sheffield Eagles turn the clash with Chorley Lynx on its head.

The Eagles were on the ropes after going behind to three quickfire tries in the opening minutes of the second half. But they took an eight-count and hit back - first with a sucker punch from Gavin Brown followed by doubles from wingers Kieron Collins and Greg Hurst in a seven-try haul. "We showed a bit of steel and that's what we have been looking for," said coach Mark Aston. "I felt there were points in us if we just completed the set of six and played to kicks - and that's what we did and scored tries from them."

The Eagles forwards were outstanding and only determined defence - with full-back Andy Poynter cool at the back - denied a lively Chorley side in the first half of the National League Two game. Super-sub Simon Tillyer appeared on 30 minutes and immediately ran on to a Gareth Stanley pass to score the opening try for a 4-0 lead. Two minutes after the restart a wicked bounce deceived Poynter and Steve Omesher swept up and scored.
 

Briefly the Eagles looked ragged as Chris Ramsdale and Eddie Kilgannon added tries with Ramsdale kicking the goals for an 18-4 lead on 46 minutes. Two minutes later Gavin Brown nipped over from acting half-back and the fight back was on. After 57 minutes a kick to the corner from Richard Goddard on the final tackle was fumbled for winger Kieron Collins to celebrate his new contract with a try. Collins made it two after Gavin Brown provided similar ammunition three minutes later and Brown's long pass was taken by Greg Hurst on the other wing to take the lead on 63 minutes. The scrum-half 's kick to the right corner saw Hurst score again ten minutes later and Nick Turnbull finished a cross-field passing move for the final try three minutes from the hooter. Goddard, on a day when he faced a series of testing touchline kicks, added his second conversion.

Eagles scrape through Skolars exam

A STUTTERING, unconvincing Sheffield Eagles opened their league season with a win but little else at London Skolars.

It took the Eagles 63 minutes to take the lead against one of the poor relations of National League Two. "I have to give credit to London, they gave 100 per cent but we were lacking in a lot of areas," said a disappointed Eagles coach Mark Aston. "Our attitude was poor and I know people will talk about the main thing is a win but I talk about the performance."

The Eagles had a pre-match scare when Gavin Brown, Craig Brown, Danny Mills and Guy Adams were involved in a car crash on the way to joining the team bus. No-one was hurt but Adams had to be left out of the 17 with a stiff neck.

The Eagles will want to forget the first half. They were always chasing the game and poor defence and mistakes by individuals played a big part in London's tries. It led to a rush of early substitutions as Aston tried to find an effective blend. There were mixed fortunes for full-back Andy Poynter who made errors in defence in the first half but scored two vital tries.

Three times in the first half the Eagles went behind as sloppy defence saw Skolars centre Stephen Green burst through with loose-forward John Rua restoring their lead. In between a high kick by Gavin Brown to the corner gave John Breakingbury the chance to level the scores the first time and Poynter got his first try. Second row Mark Cantoni restored Skolars' lead and Joel Osborn added a penalty to Glenn Osborn's two conversions to give the Londoners a 18-12 lead at the break. Gavin Brown set up the opening for Poynter to go over the try line three minutes after the restart. Richard Goddard's third straight conversion levelled the scores.

With Goddard and Gavin Brown starting to buzz the Eagles dominated the possession but couldn't find a try-scoring cutting edge. A Goddard penalty finally gave them the lead.
With seven minutes Nick Turnbull picked up a kick-ahead to wrap up the win.

Slipshod Eagles hang on for win

IT'S said that good teams win when they're playing badly – well for most of this game Sheffield Eagles tested that theory to the full.

They produced snappy, aggressive and controlled rugby for 30 minutes to lead Dewsbury 22-0. Then they let the game slide and allowed a gritty but limited Rams side to battle back and dominate the second half. Coach Mark Aston was relieved to have gained only the second win in the Arriva Trains Cup but was far from happy. "A win is a win and I thought we demonstrated in the first 30 minutes what we are capable of – after that we were a shambles," he said." A lot of players went back to playing as individuals and not doing the things we had talked about. When you do that you are always going to struggle and we did in the second half when we weren't at the races. It's just a good job we had done enough to hold on to the win."

There can have been few complaints about the way the Eagles started by blunting the Rams' attempts. Then half-backs Richard Goddard and Gavin Brown took control and set up a series of tries. Andy Poynter who sent in John Breakingbury with Goddard adding the goal. A long pass from Brown gave Breakingbury a second try before prop Jack Howieson produced a delicate side-step to open a massive gap for Jordan James to burst through and cross the line. Goddard converted James' try and added a penalty. Stand-off Goddard's pass allowed Simon Tillyer to claim the fourth try minutes.

It was 22-0 but an Andrew Webber try gave the Rams hope but they lost former Eagles star David Mycoe. Rams blasted back with three tries all from former Eagles players – Darren Robinson, Kevin Crouthers and Leon Williamson. A try from Howieson and Goddard's fourth goal kept Eagles ahead then defended franticly rather than controlled.
 

Heartbreak for Eagles as Hull KR nick Trophy win

THE heartbreak of a last-minute try robbed Sheffield Eagles of what would have been a remarkable victory over high-flying Hull Kingston Rovers last night.

Recent disappointing results were fading into the past as, after battling to an 18-16 lead, it seemed the Eagles had just to play down the clock. But a rare wild pass produced the opening for Rovers winger Alasdair McClarron to squeeze in at the corner. It was a bitter blow for coach Mark Aston who felt his side were at last playing to their potential. "I have never lost confidence in the players and that we have a quality team. I'm disappointed," he said. "The players put in a lot of effort and came away with no winning pay - money they deserved. But it's an 80-minute game and you can't switch off. There was a bad pass and they went on to score. If we had completed that set of six we would have won. There was lot of effort a lot of commitment, a lot of things we have been lacking of late. It's a disappointment but the lads showed us they have the makings of a quality team."

The Eagles were unrecognisable from the outfit which has gifted opponents tries and struggled to just one win in the Arriva Trains East group. The defence - particularly in the the second half - was determined and strong. Scrum-half Gavin Brown was the dominant player and produced a solo try that is unlikely to be equalled at Don Valley this season.
Full-back Andy Poynter looked assured and confident and Richard Goddard was always dangerous and produced a faultless five goal kicking display.

Aston rotated his props Jon Bruce, Jack Howieson and Guy Adams - back after nine months due to knee surgery - with skill and effect. Goddard gave Eagles an early lead with a penalty but Hull hit back with a try from Jamie Bovill and a Scott Thorburn goal. Jordan James - who had a massive first half - crashed in to pull back the lead with Goddard adding the goal. Thorburn restored Rover's lead with a try and goal but Gavin Brown stunned Hull with a try just before the break and with Goddard's goal it was 16-12.
Rovers pounded the Eagles after the break but the defence was outstanding.

It was not until the 70th minute that substitute Phil Hasty found a way through to level the scores. Gavin Brown and Goddard tried drop goals but Goddard made no mistake with a penalty with five minutes left for an 18-16 lead. The came the agony of McClarron's late try.

Aston blasts players after Skolars tick up win

Eagles coach Mark Aston blasted his team after their shock defeat by London Skolars in the Arriva Trains Cup yesterday, which ended their slim hopes of progressing.

"The players are letting themselves and the team down," he fumed after the 16-14 loss. "I only want players who want to play for me and our captain, Jon Bruce, who leads by example. I'll be kicking them up the backside before we play Hull KR on Friday and they can either stand up or lie down. If they lie down then there are plenty of other quality players out there who I can look to bring in."

Sheffield failed to come to terms with the wet and windy conditions that turned the pitch at the New River Stadium into a quagmire and couldn't convert their territorial advantage in the last quarter. Things had started brightly for the Eagles when they took the lead after just six minutes. Two successive penalties gave them good field position and Peter Reilly capitalised by dummying his way over from acting half-back. Greg Hurst thought he had extended the lead when he was first to pounce on a neat sliding kick between the posts, but was ruled offside.

The Skolars then used the kicking game to their own advantage when two Eagles' handling errors allowed Neil Foster to plunge over. Richard Goddard restored Sheffield's lead with a penalty but London struck twice to leave a lacklustre Eagles outfit facing an eight-point deficit. First Donny Lam took a ball superbly round his ankles to send Tim Butterfield over before Gareth Honor dived on his own kick under the posts.

The Eagles almost repeated their excellent start to the first half two minutes after the interval when they put together the best handling move of the match but Danny Mills was taken into touch just short of the line. Substitute Aston finally emerged from the bench shortly afterwards and had an immediate impact when he sent the influential Reilly through for his second try.

Despite sustained periods of pressure during the last 25 minutes, Sheffield couldn't force their way through the Skolars' defence and the home side clung on to register their first victory in the competition.

Eagles can't live with Dragons fire

SHEFFIELD Eagles are still looking for their first win at Belle Vue after yesterday's Arriva Trains National Cup Section East defeat against Doncaster Dragons.

Eagles never looked like putting the record straight against their South Yorkshire rivals, and the only consolation for coach Mark Aston, who again had to play due to injuries, was that the margin of defeat was less than the 38-6 reversal at the Don Valley Stadium last month. Eagles had no answer to Doncaster's pace and strength out wide. But they didn't help their own cause with a catalogue of handling errors and poor defensive work.
The defeat effectively dashed their outside hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages of competition, and Aston will now be using the remaining games as preparation to the National League Division Two campaign which kicks-off next month.

Holroyd kicked the Dragons into a third-minute lead with a penalty. Five minutes later prop Matt Walker did well to slip a pass out of a two-man tackle in front of the posts and the ball was moved quickly along the line with skipper Craig Lawton missing out a man to put new signing Craig Miles over in the corner. The home side struck again on 13 minutes after Eagles had lost possession following a 40m run out of defence by full-back Andy Poynter.
The ball was worked out to the right where winger Marlon Billy raced in for his fifth try of the season. Holroyd converted from wide out to make it 12-0. Dragons elected to run a kickable 19th penalty after Poynter had conceded a needless penalty, and the gamble paid off when centre Gareth Lloyd powered his way over.

Little had been seen of Eagles as an attacking force, despite the prompting of scrum-half Peter Reilly, until the 29th minute when it needed a magnificent man-and-ball tackle by Billy on the line to prevent Nick Turnbull from scoring . Eagles knew that they needed to score first in the second-half if they were going to entertain any hopes of avenging the Don Valley defeat. Had Greg Hurst held on to a try-scoring pass by second-rower Andy Raleigh five metres out, they would have made inroads into Doncaster's 16 point lead.

Any comeback hopes Eagles may have entertained, however, were effectively dashed on 51 minutes when Dragons loose-forward Shaun Leaf dived over for a try goaled by Holroyd.
Aston came off the bench and wasted little time in making his mark. It was from his high kick to the right corner which led to Hurst grabbing Eagles' consolation try on 56 minutes.
The rest of the game belonged to Dragons and they ran in three more tries to claim their first National Cup win in three games. The first came when Lloyd, who had his best game of the season, ran on to a long ball by Holroyd and powered his way through several defenders close to the line. Billy bagged his second try on 70 minutes and Miles capped an impressive debut when he scored his second try of the game seven minutes later with a simple touchdown.

EAGLES HOPES HIT BY "YELLOW FEVER"

AT times in this exciting but equally frustrating game Sheffield Eagles must have felt they were playing against 14 men - York's 13 plus the referee.

Mr Gareth Hewer decided to enforce the laws - fair enough , But he could have chosen his moment better.
Midway through the second-half the Eagles were playing their best rugby of the season and York City Knights were reeling. Then in the space of 12 minutes he sent three Eagles players to the sin bin. Result the Eagles played the final 20 minutes with 12 or even 11 men. Result York were off the hook and the Eagles out of the Challenge Cup.

The Eagles, inspired by Richard Goddard, pulled back to 20-22 but then they started to suffer from 'yellow fever'
This was a Powergen Challenge Cup tie and confrontations are to be expected but this wasn't rough house. Of more concern to Mark Aston will be the sloppy defending that gifted York at least two tries.York's winger Chris Smith scored after two minutes but the Eagles hit back with a try from centre Nick Turnbull and Richard Goddard's goal edged them ahead. Aston and former Sheffield centre Darren Callaghan were harshly sent to the sin bin for swapping punches on eight minutes.

Mid-way through the half poor defending allowed York to strike critical blows with ex-Eagles stand-off Scott Rhodes given a clear run from a scrum to score and Danny Briggs forcing his way over in the space of three minutes. Damian Ball's solo run widened the gap with Danny Brough kicking three conversions. Two minutes from the break Andy Poynter crossed to give the Eagles hope at 12-22 down.

Winger Danny Mills' try six minutes after the restart became an eight-pointer as Goddard kicked the goal and an extra penalty awarded by the referee for an incident as the try was scored. Then out came the yellow cards. York were given breathing space with Craig Forsyth try after Andy Raleigh was sent to the sin bin for holding down. Then Brough added a penalty after Goddard was sin binned on 63 minutes for offside. Jack Howieson became the fourth Eagles player to be binned seven minutes later and Chris Langley crossed for York's sixth try. Rhodes was sin binned on 80 minutes and in injury time Greg Hurst grabbed the Eagles' fourth try just before the hooter.
 

De Chenu treble tops for Eagles

INJURY-hit Sheffield Eagles found the prescription for a return to winning ways with an eight-try demolition of London Skolars.

The 34-6 victory was just what coach Mark Aston wanted with a tough Powergen Challenge Cup clash with York City Knights coming up next Sunday. "It was just what the doctor ordered because we have had a bit of stick. I'm happy to get a win and to score eight tries," said Aston, who was again forced to play. We needed it because we have been training very hard and we are being more physical in our game."

The Eagles looked stronger and more organised in defence and rediscovered their try-scoring edge – including a hat-trick from Carl De Chenu – as they celebrated their first win in the Arriva. Aston got the best out of his young side with a busy bustling display from scrum-half. When he went off on 52 minutes Andy Poynter switched from fullback to halfback and kept up the momentum with Peter Reilly.

The big worry for the Eagles will be that they managed only one kick from nine – Aston's eighth minute penalty that opened the scoring. In the absence of the injured Gavin Brown they tried three place kickers – Aston, Craig Brown and Reilly.

The Eagles had to weather pressure from the Skolars, led by Aussie scrum-half Peter Hannan ,before De Chenu went over in the corner from acting half-back for the first try after Andy Raleigh was held on the line on 17 minutes. Substitute prop Rob North helped set up two tries for centre Nick Turnbull as the Eagles settled the game in a five-minute spell late in the half. Jermaine Coleman kicked a penalty on the stroke of half-time for the Skolars to go in 14-2 down.

Danny Mills scored his first try for the Eagles two minutes after the restart from a move started by Aston. The winger scored his second with a touchline-hugging run from an Adam Carroll break on 68 minutes. Raleigh, Jon Breakingbury and Poynter all played a part as De Chenu completed his hat-trick with tries on 47 and 58 minutes.
In between Jack Howieson and Raleigh set up a try for centre Breakingbury London's consolation was a try from loose-forward John Rua midway through the half.

Dewsbury Rams (H) Sunday 15th February

Cup hopes derailed

THESE are testing times for Sheffield Eagles.

Coach Mark Aston was forced out of retirement to face Dewsbury Rams because of a mounting injury list. Aston joined the action after 26 minutes and was to have a hand in two of the Eagles' tries. But even Aston could not inject a sense of purpose into a side that is a shadow of the one that finished top of National League Two last season.

The Arriva Trains Cup may not be a priority - yesterday's defeat was Eagles' third in a row in the East qualifying group - but an important Powergen Challenge Cup clash with York is only two weeks away. Aston blasted his side's defensive performance after conceding seven tries and added: "Individuals are not doing their job and I won't tolerate that - I will be bring in new players." The latest blow is to back rower Simon Morton who injured leg muscles in Wednesday's defeat by Doncaster Dragons and will be out for three months.
 

Dewsbury put their Challenge Cup defeat by amateurs Sharlston behind them as, led by ex-Eagles hooker Darren Robinson, they took control of the game. Robinson scored the Rams first try and set up the third for Wayne McHugh with Adam Thewliss claiming the second.

Aston came on and started the move involving Gareth Stanley, Jordan James and Simon Tillyer which ended a Jon Breakingbury try. Robinson grabbed his second try and added a drop goal on the hooter for the Rams to go in 21-6 ahead. A penalty from Thaler extended the Rams' lead before Robinson sent in Chris Redfern. Stanley and Aston set up the opening for Simon Tillyer to score the Eagles second try but Thaler and Mick Senior scored tries and Robinson added a second drop-goal. Eagles got a last minute try from Nick Turnbull.

Doncaster Dragons (H) Wednesday 11th February

Dragons' fire a bit too hot for Eagles

SHEFFIELD Eagles were given a lesson in attacking rugby as South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Dragons powered to victory in the Arriva Trains Cup East group qualifying series clash.

The Don Valley crowd was treated to an electric display of fast ball-handling as the Dragons turned on the style by scoring seven tries. Injury hit Eagles battled - none moreso than former Doncaster prop Jon Bruce and half-back Gavin Brown - but they could not match Dragons' power. The worry for coach Mark Aston will be that Eagles have now scored only three tries in three games this season.

Doncaster set a platform with some strong forward play and that opened the way for Kiwi centre P J Soloman and half-backs Graham Holroyd and Chris Hough to rule the roost.
Doncaster ran in seven tries - some with embarrassing ease - and the Eagles had to be content with a late consolation from Andy Raleigh.

Early in the game the Eagles looked to be matching the Dragons and deserved to have taken the lead when Bruce was held on the line. But the Dragons kept up the pressure and Jamie Fielden was just blocked before Holroyd weaved his way through for the first try on 14 minutes and then added the goal. Two tries in a three-minute burst put Doncaster's seal on the game. On 23 minutes a fast passing move involving three off-loads ended with Hough having a clear run to add Doncaster's second try. Winger Marlon Billy was held by Carl De Chenu in the corner but the Eagles defence was again exposed by Solomon's burst before Billy finished the move.

At times Doncaster's passing reached exhibition standard and Billy scored his second from a swift move featuring Gareth Lloyd and Cook a minute from half-time with Holroyd adding his third goal. There was no let-up for the Eagles after the break with fullback Johnny Woodcock being given a clear 20-metre run to the try line two minutes after the restart.

Referee Mike Dawber lost control of the game on 46 minutes when Eagles' Jordan James and Dragons' Matt Walker clashed in true derby fashion. After discussions when it seemed the referee was going to call in not just his touch judges but the United Nations both were sent to the sin bin. Indecision ruled again as Eagles winger Danny Mills joined them seven minutes later. Hough should have had a try but dropped the ball over the line and Gavin Brown made a similar mistake soon after. But Hough added further embarrassment with a solo break for his second try on 51 minutes.

Holroyd capped a fine performance with a high kick to the corner which was collected by sub Alex Muff on 68 minutes. He finished with five goals.Eagles fans got something to cheer when, on 72 minutes, second rower Andy Raleigh scored a try from Gavin Brown's pass. Brown added the goal.

Leigh Miners Ranger (A) Friday 8th February

EAGLES SNEAK THROUGH AGAINST THE AMATEURS

SHEFFIELD Eagles diced with disaster as they squeezed through their Challenge Cup tie with amateurs Leigh Miners Rangers.

Torrential rain made the game a lottery at times but the Eagles could so easily have been the big losers. They contrived to take the lead and lose it within minutes, go behind and edged only two points ahead late in the second half. Eagles fans who made the journey to Leigh Centurions' Hilton Park ground were left with ten minutes of nail-biting agony before the final hooter. Memories of defeat by amateurs Thornhill four years ago were starting to flood back before Gavin Brown landed the vital conversion.

Coach Mark Aston was relieved to be in the draw for the fifth round but didn't spare his players. "The best team lost - we snatched the game and that's all that counts as far as I'm concerned," said Aston.But any criticism must exclude some individual performances highlighted by skipper Jon Bruce who turned in a display of power and determined tackling.Back rowers Craig Brown and Simon Morton ran themselves into the mud and fullback Andy Poynter put his body on the line time after time.

Eagles went into the game without Andy Poynter but with the experienced Richard Goddard and Wayne Flynn on the subs' bench. Only desperate defence prevented Leigh going at least two scores up before the Eagles took the lead when Gavin Brown sent in Simon Morton. Brown converted. The lead was gone inside two minutes as Flynn shipped a pass on his own 10 metre line and centre Chris Humphries burst through to score with David Radley adding the goal.

The Eagles suffered a blow early in the second half when Goddard, who had started to give an edge to their kicking game, was forced off with a calf injury. Poor defence down the right opened the way for Redicliffe to give the Miners the lead on 49 minutes and Radley make it 12-6 with the conversion. Then at last the Eagles got moving with Gavin Brown and Peter Reilly sparking at half-back. Brown reduced the lead with a penalty following a high tackle on 59 minutes. The Eagles forced four sets of six as they penned the Miners in their last 20 metres. The breakthrough try finally came on 70 minutes when Flynn took Gavin Brown's pass but was just held on the line.

From the play-the-ball, Brown squeezed over from acting half-back and then added the goal. Somehow the Eagles held the slender two point lead to take the game.

Hull KR (A) Sunday 1st February

Mud and guts not enough for Eagles

SOME people will pay a lot for a mud bath – but Sheffield Eagles didn't enjoy the treatment at Hull KR.

Craven Park's pitch isn't the best and after a week of snow and constant rain it was deep, sticky and brown yesterday. The conditions were against open flowing rugby but Rovers showed they have the depth of experience to justify their status as Super League promotion contenders. But a make-do-and-mend Eagles battled long and hard and never looked like being trampled in the mud in this opening round of the East group of the Arriva Trains Cup.

"It was always going to be difficult – the conditions didn't lend itself to an open game," said coach Mark Aston. "But I'm delighted by the attitude of the players. They stuck to their task and never gave in. We experimented with different people in different positions and gave everyone a good run out. There were a couple of areas we need to put some work in but there are plenty of positives."

Aston will be concerned by a growing list of injuries with the fourth round Powergen Challenge Cup clash at dangerous amateurs Leigh Miners Rangers looming on Friday night. Second rower Andy Raleigh is nursing a broken nose and a dislocated finger, half-back Peter Reilly came off with a knee strain. With Richard Goddard missing the Hull trip with a calf strain the Eagles small squad is already being tested.
On the positive side half-backs Gavin Brown and Peter Reilly did well in the glue-pot conditions although their kicking game lacked penetration. Action man Jordan James was soon covered in mud and gave notice that he would not be taking any prisoners. Simon Morton, Jon Breakingbury, Carl DeChenu and new signings Rob North and Danny Mills got in valuable game time.

National League One Hull KR have invested in experienced players including the game star former Doncaster Dragons half-back Paul Mansson. The New Zealander kept up the Rovers going forward and varied their attacking plays. The Eagles had to be content with brief spells of pressure but found it hard going in the final 10 metres.

Phil Hasty and Gavin Brown swapped early penalties as referee Robert Connolly tried to sort out his approach to the offside rule. Mr Connolly finally settled for sending Eagles skipper Jon Bruce to the sin bin on 27 minutes with Rovers making the extra man tell with tries from Craig Farrelly and Dale Holstock while the prop was off the field. Mansson added a third three minutes from the break for a 14-2 lead.

The Eagles were under pressure for most of the second period but they managed to keep the Rovers out until an Alistair McClarron try on 64 minutes with Casey Mayberry adding a fifth score on 71 minutes and Craig Poucher kicking a rare goal for the home side.