Match Reports

Read how the Eagles are progressing in their battle for promotion in 2006

GLORY days are back for Sheffield Eagles as they totally outclassed a tough Swinton side to clinch promotion. After seasons battling just to survive the Eagles will play in National League One – one step from the Super League - next year. The Eagles did it in style taking the best Swinton could throw at them in a tense first 30 minutes then powering away to end the season with 13 straight wins.

The game was decided by a storming six-minute spell either side of half-time as the Eagles ran in three tries. The scorers – Brendon Lindsay, Johnny Woodcock and Rob Worrincy were three of the outstanding figures of this LHF Healthplan National League Two promotion play-off final played at Warrington.

Stand-off Lindsay with scrum half Gavin Brown and hooker Paul Pickering was also part of the play-making triangle that gave the Eagles the edge. Early in the first half Swinton’s tactics of a high deep kicks from scrum-half Chris Hough was nullified by good positioning and cool play from fullback Woodcock and wingers Worrincy and Greg Hurst.

Centre Jimmy Ford should have put the Eagles ahead but lost the ball over the line in a great tackle from Hough. Worrincy, playing his last league game before switching codes with Doncaster rugby union club, broke the deadlock on 21 minutes when Lindsay from first receiver put out a long pass to Ford who sent the winger flying in at the corner.

Then it was Swinton piling on the pressure with Lindsay producing a great tackle to deny Lee Marsh a try. Liam McGovern replaced Hough and the Lions’ tactics switched to a snappier passing game with instant results. A chip from McGovern beat Worrincy and winger Andrew Saywell dropped on the ball to put Swinton level on 31 minutes.

The next score for either side seemed critical but the Eagles were looking the stronger and better organised with a series of forward substitutions clawing back possession. Up on the Swinton line a pass out from Pickering was flicked inside by Gavin Brown into the path of Lindsay who swept across the line near the posts on 37 minutes. Woodcock added the goal. The fullback put his name down for the man of the match award by chasing Lindsay’s chip kick and stealing the ball off Saywell to swoop across the line before adding the goal.

Half-time and the Eagles were leading 16-4 but there was more to come and in spectacular fashion.

Less than three minutes after the restart a McGovern chip landed straight in the hands of Worrincy on his own try line and the winger was off, racing the length of the field to plant the ball under the Swinton posts. Woodcock added the goal. Big props Jack Howieson and Mitch Stringer came back on and sapped the strength of the Swinton forwards with their runs before a Pickering pass and a chip from Gavin Brown gave centre Jimmy Walker the touchdown. Woodcock added the goal.

On 60 minutes Martin Ostler started a move that ended with Lindsay sending out a looping pass for Andy Hay to score the Eagles’ final try. Woodcock made it five goals from six attempts. It was just reward for Hay, who along with Waisale Sovatabua and skipper Andy Smith put in big spells.

The Eagles started to showboat a bit and paid the price with a consolation score for Swinton from centre Dave Alstead.

But Gavin Brown slotted over an insurance drop goal with four minutes to go and all was left was for the joyous Eagles fans to enjoying counting down the final seconds on the Sky TV big screen.

The National League Finals, final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, were 14,500 sellout. Hull KR beat Widness Vikings 29-16 to win promotion to the Super League.In the League Three final Bramley Buffaloes beat Hemel Hempstead Stags 30-8.
 

FACTFILE

Eagles: Woocock; Worrincy, Ford, Walker, Hurst; Lindsay, Gavin Brown; Howieson, Pickering, Stringer, Hay, Holdstock, Smith. Subs: Poucher, Ostler, Dickinson, Sovatabua.

Swinton: English; Saywell, Woods, Alstead, Billy; Moana, Hough; Johnson, Wood, Newton, Smith, Sinfield, Marsh. Subs: McGovern, Morley, Aboushakra, Parry.

Scorers: Eagles - Tries: Worrincy 2 (21 and 43mins), Lindsay (37), Woodcock (39), Walker (52), Hay (60). Goals: Woodcock 5. Drop Goal: Gavin Brown (76).

Swinton – Tries: Saywell (34), Alstead (74).

Penalties: Eagles 2, Swinton 1

Referee: Peter Tabener (Wigan)

Starman: Johnny Woodcock

SHEFFIELD Eagles booked their place in the National League Two promotion Grand Final with a classy second half performance against Celtic Crusaders. They pressed all the right buttons after an edgy first 40 minutes, which must have left their fans apprehensive. But any doubts disappeared within minutes of the restart as Australian stand-off Brendon Lindsay scored a try and then set up the next for centre Jimmy Walker.

“There was no panic, no dramas at half-time,” said coach Gary Wilkinson. “We have toughed it out, battled back and got a result and we’re in the final. We are relieved that we have got to the final but at no time today did we feel we were going to lose. It was a great team performance.”

It’s the Eagles first appearance in a Grand Final since 2003 when they lost to Keighley Cougars. A desperately tight first half saw both defences being tested with Celtic finishing stronger. Both teams had to struggle with a wet pitch with patches of standing water but produced some swift passing moves.

The Eagles took the lead on eight minutes when prop forward Mitchell Stringer took Gavin Brown’s short pass and jinked his way, with ballet like ease, through Celtic tacklers to cross the try line near the posts. Johnny Woodcock added the goal.

Celtic pulled two points back with a penalty kicked by scrum-half Jace Van Dijk, following high tackle.

Both sides had chances to score tries with Greg Hurst for the Eagles and Tony Duggan for Celtic, just failing to collect chip kicks over the line. Celtic were building the pressure – helped by seven penalties awarded against the Eagles - and levelled the score on 27 minutes with winger Matt Hill dropping on a kick from Duggan near the flag. Celtic went in looking the dangerous side with the score 6-6 at half-time.

It was a vastly different Eagles side that came out in the second half. The forwards dominated possession and hooker Paul Pickering was outstanding as the Eagles blew Celtic away with constant pressure and a great kicking game.  Stand-off Lindsay made the first breakthrough when he kicked on a fumble by Celtic’s Duggan and touched down for a try two minutes into the second half.

Woodcock added the conversion and kicked a penalty before Lindsay set up the next try for centre Walker with a kick. Woodcock added the gaol. Walker showed his predatory instinct as he claimed his second when Duggan missed a chip kick. Woodcock failed to convert but had no problems with a penalty to put the Eagles 26-6 ahead.

Celtic hit back with tries from winger Hill and centre Damien Quinn in the final minutes but the Eagles were never in danger.

South Wales side Crusaders now go into the second semi when they will face either Featherstone Rovers or Swinton Lions who meet on Sunday.

FACTFILE

Eagles: Woodock; Hurst, Walker, Reid, Ford; Lindsay, Gavin Brown; Howieson, Pickering, Stringer, Hay, Smith, Dickinson. Subs: Poucher, Ostler, Holdstock, Sovatabua.

Scorers: Tries – Walker 2, Stringer, Lindsay. Goals: Woodcock 5.

Celtic Crusaders: Duggan; Epton, James, Quinn, Hill; Young, Van Dijk; Dean, Ryan, Price, Barton, Beasley, Wyatt. Subs: Morgan, Geraint Davies, Hywel Davies, Siebold. Scorers: Tries – Hill 2, Quinn. Goals: Van Dijk 2.

Referee: J King (St Helens)

Attendance: 760

Starman: Brendon Lindsay.

SHEFFIELD Eagles finished the league season with a big win at Hunslet but just missing out on the automatic promotion place. Dewsbury Rams’ win over Workington gave them the title and the automatic promotion place in the LHF Healthplan National League Two.

The Eagles scored nine tries at Hunslet in a scrappy game that was marred by an incident in the final minute. It left Eagles’ prop forward Jack Howieson needing stitches in a head wound and Hunslet’s Danny Ekis getting a chance to turn on the showers after being red carded for throwing a punch.

“We have been involved in some great games this season, unfortunately that wasn’t one of them,” said head coach Gary Wilkinson. “That was a poor advert for National league Two but we have come and done a job. We struggled at times but it’s all about the play-offs now. We are the only side to break the 800 points scored barrier, we are on an eleven match unbeaten run so there are plenty of positives. But we are in a different competition now, we are aiming to win our game with Celtic and get into the Grand Final.”

The Eagles had started the game with an attacking burst that saw them score four tries in the first 15 minutes. Centre Caldon Bravo opened the scoring with an interception try and skipper Andy Smith barged his way over from a neat pass from scrum-half Gavin Brown.

Bravo sent in winger James Ford in at the corner after collecting a chip kick from playmaker Brendon Lindsay. Next the centre out jumped the opposition to collect Lindsay’s high bomb kick for his second try before going off injured.

The Eagles then lost their way with Mark Cunningham and Mark Sibson pulling back tries for Hunslet before the break with the Eagles leading 22-10. The second half saw too many wild passes and handling mistakes but the Eagles, with Gavin Brown producing some nice touches and power-packed pack that included former Hull, KR prop Jon Aston making his debut, were always too strong.

Winger Rob Worrincy finished a sweeping passing move for the Eagles fifth try a minute after the restart. Paul Seal got Hunslet’s second try but the Eagles hit back with Lindsay providing the pass for fullback Johnny Wodcock to weave through. Centre Jimmy Walker and bustling burst that took Lindsay across the try line increased the Eagles lead before Woodcock got his second on 76 minutes. Woodcock brought his points total to 20 with kicked six goals from nine attempts.

Factfile:

Hunslet: Sibson; Cunningham, Cook, Foster, Morton; Cass, Moxon; Shickell, Robinson, Elkis, Freeman, Cartledge, Redfearn. Subs: Williams, Seal, Hulme, Carbutt. Scorers: Tries – Cunninghan, Sibson, Seal. Goals: Robinson 2.

Eagles: Woodcock; Ford, Bravo, Reid, Worrincy; Lindsay, Gavin Brown; Howieson, Pickering, Stringer, Ostler, Smith, Dickinson. Subs: Walker, Aston, Holdstock, Sovatabua. Scorers: Tries – Bravo 2, Woodcock 2, Smith, Ford, Worrincy, Walker, Lindsay. Goals – Woodcock 6.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham)

Sent off: Danny Ekis (Hunslet 79min)
 

Eagles rode out a series of injury scares to hit strugglers Blackpool Panthers for nine tries. It's now ten straight wins for the Eagles - a record since the club was reborn in 1999. The Eagles had too much forward power for a limited Blackpool side and even when three players were sidelined by injury in the second half the result was never in doubt.

Hooker Paul Pickering had pulled out shortly before kick-off but that opened the way for Jimmy Walker - normally a centre - to take the number nine shirt. He produced a great all-round display and scored two tries. Not far behind was Waisale Sovatabu who played in three different positions after coming off the subs bench and also claimed a double of touchdowns.

"In the second half it was down to the bare bones," said head coach Gary Wilkinson. "Maybe we could have put on a few more points if everybody had been able to stay on the field but we had a few injuries. Really it was a job well done. We have a 63 points difference advantage and now we have to wait and see how Dewsbury go at Barrow."

Former Castleford Tigers centre Damien Reid made his debut for the Eagles and ex-Hull KR prop Paul Fletcher returned after being out with a broken ankle since March. Fletchers return only lasted until half-time after he fractured a bone in his left hand and he joined Andy Hay (hamstring strain) on the sidelines with Gavin Brown joining them later.

Blackpool with lively scrum-half Martin Gambles putting in some testing high kicks briefly took the game to the Eagles but from ten minutes into the game the home side's power and swifter passing told. Winger Rob Worrincy scored the opening try in the corner. It was soon  followed by Walker going over the line from Jack Howieson's pass.Loose-forward Sean Dickinson took substitute prop Martin Ostler's pass for the third try and Ostler raced in a touchdown minutes later. Gavin Brown and Fletcher sent in Waisale Sovatabua and Johnny Woodcock capitalised on a fumble by a Blackpool player to claim the half's sixth try. Woodcock converted all but the first try for a half-time lead of 34-0.

There was no escape for Blackpool after the break with Walker getting his
second try on 45 minutes. Sovatabua powered over under the sticks from 10 metres, on 50 minutes but for a period the Eagles lost their earlier cutting edge.With four minutes to go Ostler's pace produced the opening for centre James Ford to bring up the 50 points. Woodcock kicked the goal - his eighth successful attempt of the game.

Factfile:
Sheffield Eagles: Woodcock; Worrincy, Bravo, Ford, Hurst; Lindsay, Gavin Brown; Howieson, Walker, Stringer, Hay, Smith, Dickinson. Subs: Damien Reid, Ostler, Sovatabua, Fletcher.

Scorers: Walker 2, Sovatabua 2, Worrincy, Dickinson, Ostler, Woodcock, Ford. Goals: Woodcock 8.

Blackpool: Andrews; Leigh, Garcia, Kilgannon, Lever; Ramsdale, Gambles; Rowley, Duall, Nanyn, Chamberlain, Jones, Barraclough. Subs: Ratcliffe, Barton, Hilton, Rafferty.

Referee: L Williamson.

Sin Binned: Chamberlain (Blackpool 18mins)

Attendance:  783

 

Sheffield Eagles blasted away Keighley Cougars as they took their winning run to nine games. After weathering a bright start by the Cougars, the Eagles were too sharp and had too much power for the home side. Keighley scored the first points with a Barry Eaton penalty kick on 14 minutes but from then on rarely got a look in.

Minutes later Waisale Sovatabua came off the bench and added the extra punch that had the Cougars reeling. The Fijian international back row forward was outstanding as the Eagles ran in eleven tries. He finished the game as the main play-maker after stand-off after Brendon Lindsay was taken off as a precaution following an injury. Prop forward Simon Morton returned to action for the Eagles after missing 13 games follow breaking a bone in his foot.

The Eagles ball handling was too fast for the Cougars with many of the tries coming from sweeping passing moves. Lindsay and centre Caldon Bravo sent in loose-forward Sean Dickinson for the try that took the Eagles into the lead on 21 minutes.

Lindsay the games dominant half-back kicked through for hooker Paul Pickering to add a second try with Sovatabua powering over for the third following a chip penalty. Centre James Ford grabbed a poor pass from Keighleys Richard Knight to run in seconds before half-time and Craig Pouchers two successful conversions gave the Eagles a comfortable 20-2 lead at the break.

Skipper Andy Smith set the tone for the second half with a try after only three minutes and winger Rob Worrincy finished off a 10-man passing move for try number six. Johnny Woodcock had replaced Poucher at fullback after the break and celebrated his return from injury with a hat-trick of tries. His first followed a break by Ford, then the centre and Sovatabua set up the second before scrum-half Paul Pickering broke clear then passed Dickinson whose final pass sent in Woodcock for the hat-tick.

In between Keighley eased the home fans gloom with tries from Knight and Matt Bramald, both converted by Eaton. But the Eagles grip never slackened and stand-in half-back Sovatabua produced a chip kick for Martin Ostler to swoop for a try.

Ford motored in from 60 metres for his second try in the game and his 17th of the season with three minutes to go. Woodcock kicked the conversion, his fifth successful goal attempt from seven to finish with a personal total of 22 points.

FACTFILE:

Keighley: Duffy; Gardner, Bramald, Hastings, Smith; Knight, Eaton; Stephenson, Feather, Mugatroyd, Dubais-Fisher, Williams, Walker. Subs: Brown, Clough, Palmer, Roe.

Scorers: Tries - Knight, Bramald. Goals - Eaton 3.

Eagles: Poucher; Worrincy, Bravo, Ford, Hurst; Lindsay, Presley; Buckenham, Pickering, Stringer, Ostler, Smith. Subs: Woodcock, Morton, Holdstock, Sovatabua.

Scorers: Tries Woodcoick 3, Ford 2, Dickinson, Pickering, Sovatabua, Smith, Worrincy, Ostler. Goals: Poucher 2, Woodock 5.

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)

Sin binned: Tom Palmer (Keighley, 52mins)

Attendance: 750.
 

A closely-contested match at Don Valley saw Sheffield Eagles achieve their eighth win in a row to bring the gap between the top two teams in the table down to just two points. The match was an exciting one with the teams equally matched in terms of skill and scores were levelled on three separate occasions but Sheffield managed to do what the Rams failed to three times and won the game with a drop-goal in the last few minutes. A poor kicking display from Francis Maloney and a penalty count of 13-6 in favour of the Eagles also contributed to the result.

Eagles’ head coach, Gary Wilkinson was delighted: “Had we lost tonight that would have put us out of the equation. We’ve got a few games coming up that are going to be tough but Dewsbury have got some really tough games. They’re still fighting to stay in the play-offs themselves. There was plenty of guts and courage out there. I think Andy Kelly’s got every right to be proud of his troops. Now we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves and hope that Dewsbury slip up.”

An opportunity to take the lead early on with a penalty was dashed, Francis Maloney failing to get the ball between the posts. Sheffield then put pressure on as Martin Ostler barged his way to the line, being tackled just short. Dewsbury were the first to get points on the board as Francis Maloney’s kick was caught by Bretherton, who then made valuable metres before passing inside to Liam Finn to score. Francis Maloney missed his second kick of the night.

On 18 minutes Sheffield’s Jon Presley scooted from dummy half to score and Poucher’s kick took the Eagles into the lead. This lead was extended a few minutes later when James Ford sped onto a pass from Andy Hay and steamed over the line, the Eagles taking advantage of having a man up after Jason Southwell was sent to the sinbin.

A successful penalty kick right on the hooter from Francis Maloney sent the two sides in level-pegging. Two minutes after the re-start and a kick over the top from Lindsay was picked up by winger Caldon Bravo to touch down and regain the lead. The Rams fought back, however, and three minutes later Preece’s blistering pace saw him go over in the corner. Both kicks were missed, bringing the scores level again.

At the 50 minute point Rob Worrincy was deemed to have knocked on by the referee after attempting to catch another Lindsay kick and from the scrum the ball was passed out to Francis Maloney who scored and also converted. It was then Sheffield’s turn to fight back, Presley taking an offload from Lindsay and passing back on the inside to Bravo who scored under the posts. The easy conversion made it 20-a-piece with just over 15 minutes to go.

Both teams were desperate to win and 2 failed drop-goal attempts from Francis Maloney and one from Richard Chapman had the fans’ hearts in their mouths until Lindsay sealed the win with a successful one-pointer at the other end of the field. 

A disappointed Dewsbury coach, Andy Kelly had this to say: “It was a very evenly-contested game. I thought the team’s effort was magnificent. They were asked to do an extra payload tonight in terms of the work they were given and they responded well. There were one or two periods in the game that influenced the outcome. Being down to 12 men at one point didn’t help but we’re still two points clear. We’ve 3 games left and we’ve got to win all three.”

EAGLES
1 Craig Poucher
2 Rob Worrincy
3 Caldon Bravo
4 James Ford
5 Greg Hurst
6 Brendon Lindsay
7 Jon Presley
8 Jack Howieson
9 Paul Pickering
10 Mitchell Stringer
11 Andy Hay
12 Martin Ostler
13 Andy Smith
Subs (all used)
14 Sean Dickinson
15 Craig Brown
16 Dale Holdstock
17 Waisale Sovatabua

Tries: Presley (17), Ford (24), Bravo (42, 63)
Goals: Poucher 2/4 Lindsay DG



RAMS
1 Ian Preece
2 Bryn Powell
3 Chris Hall
4 Danny Maun
5 Eddie Mack
6 Francis Maloney
7 Liam Finn
8 Frank Watene
9 Richard Chapman
10 Dominic Maloney
11 Kevin Crouthers
12 Warren Jowitt
13 Alex Brethreton
Subs (all used)
14 Ryan Glynn
15 Rob Kelly
16 Jason Southwell
17 Andrew Bostock

Tries: Finn (11), Southwell (31), Preece (45), F Maloney (49)
Goals: F Maloney 2/6

Sin bin: Southwell (18) – holding down (captain had been warned about consistent holding down)

Man Of The Match: Caldon Bravo

Penalty count: 13-6

Half-time: 10-10

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham)

Attendance: 1186

SHEFFIELD Eagles extended their winning steak to seven games by running in seven tries against Blackpool Panthers at Bloomfield Road. The win ensured Eagles keep the pressure on league leaders Dewsbury Rams - who arrive at Don Valley on Friday - as well as sending the seaside team plummeting to the foot of the table. Already without centre Jimmy Walker because of a broken thumb, Alasdair McClarron due to a groin strain and Dale Holdstock who is recovering from a knee strain, Eagles lost stand-in hooker Gavin Brown in the first 10 minutes. He pulled a muscle as he went to convert Sheffield’s second try, forcing back-rower Sean Dickinson to take the unfamiliar role.

But Eagles boss Gary Wilkinson was not willing to blame injuries for what he felt was an under-par showing.  He said: "I was disappointed by the quality. We had a few players missing but that is no excuse. We should have been more clinical. The score was closer than we wanted it to be."

Eagles were 16-2 ahead by half time. Second row Andy Smith grabbed the first try and winger Greg Hurst raced in for two. Hurst’s first came when he was put into space down the right by a quick pass from his centre James Ford. It was not until the half time hooter sounded that he went in for his second. Taking a quick restart from the 20 metre line, the former GB student player swatted off a tired Blackpool tackler and had a free run to plant the ball under the sticks. Poucher landed the simple conversion.

All Blackpool had to show was a penalty from full-back Eric Andrews for a high tackle on their hooker Deon Duell. Rob Worrincy was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet as his speed and agility was a constant worry to Blackpool. Hurst almost went in for his hat trick but desperate Panthers just forced him into touch as he went to dive over. But two minutes later James Ford stretched Eagles’ lead with the easiest try he will ever score. All the centre had to do was put a hand on the ball after Blackpool winger Ian Langley fumbled a kick into the in-goal. Poucher was again accurate.

Blackpool hit back with Deon Duell’s first of two tries, a short range effort which they could not convert. Eagles hit back again, extending the gap to 22 points with a try from Caldon Bravo. He danced away from Panthers tacklers from a scrum 15 metres out. Poucher was again on target for the extra two.

Catching Eagles napping, Blackpool found touch with the restart and with the momentum grabbed their second try. Centre Eddie Kilgannon going in down the left after good work from their half-backs. Yet again the Blackpool kick was missed and when big Mitchell Stringer barged his way through to score, and with Poucher’s accuracy again the advantage was stretched to 24 points. Blackpool’s Duell grabbed his second before Waisale Sovatabua rounded up Eagles’ try tally with five minutes to go. Poucher was again on target. Panther’s Kilgannon completed his brace as the full-time whistle blew. Though relieved to take the points, Eagles coach Gary Wilkinson thought some of his players were not as focused as they should have been.

He said: “I think some of my guys had their eye on the Dewsbury match instead of the one in hand. “We will have to raise our performance if we are to win that one.”

Blackpool: Andrews, Leigh, Garcia, Kilgannon, Langley, Gambles, Milington, Rowley, Duell, Hilton, Jones, Ratcliffe, Chamberlain. Subs (all used): Billings, Barton, Potter, Nanyn.

Eagles: Poucher, Worrincy, Bravo, Ford, Hurst, Lindsay, Presley, Howieson, Brown, Buckenham, Hay, Smith, Traylor. Subs (all used): Dickinson, Sovetabua, Osler, Stringer.

Blackpool: Tries: Duell (55, 72), Kilgannon (61, 80) Goals: Andrews 2

Eagles: Tries: Smith (6) Hurst (9, 40), Ford (52), Bravo (59), Stringer (63), Sovatabua (75). Goals: Brown 1, Poucher 5

Attendance: 308
 

A DRAMATIC interception try ten minutes from the hooter won this game for the Eagles and kept their hopes of promotion alive. Substitute half-back Jon Presley latching on to a Swinton pass and dashing 60 metres to the line was just part of an amazing game of rugby. The Eagles showed they are determined to take the battle for the LHF Healthplan National League Two title to the wire with their sixth straight win. Going into the final 40 minutes they were trailing an impressive Swinton outfit by 10-2 but they turned that round with two quick tries then saw their slender lead disappear. Swinton had dominated the first half thanks to some high kicks by Liam McGovern which caused confusion in the Eagles’ defence.

The Eagles took the lead with a penalty in front of the posts from Gavin Brown after seven minutes but struggled to dominate in a game punctuated by a series of penalties that broke both sides’ rhythm. Swinton went ahead when centre Darren Woods out-jumped the Eagles backs to take a high kick from McGovern and crash over the line. Twice Swinton could have increased their lead but handling errors and good late tackles saw them drop the ball when a try seemed on. Loose forward Lee Marsh increased the Lions’ lead with a penalty and three minutes from half-time Darren Woods provided the final pass for winger Andrew Saywell to go over in the corner.

The Eagles were paying for handling errors and although stand-off Brendon Lindsay was trying to get them moving they couldn’t break down a strong Swinton defence and went in 10-2 down at the break. It was a different Eagles’ side after the restart with Lindsay and Gavin Brown setting up a series of fast moves that rocked Swinton back. Substitutes Jon Presley, Mitch Stringer provided the opening for Martin Ostler to score a breakback try for Sheffield two minutes after the restart.

A 40-20 kick by Gavin Brown set up the next try with Lindsay providing a chip kick for winger James Ford to swoop on to the ball. With Gavin Brown adding the conversions for both tries the Eagles were in the lead 14-10. Lions’ second rower Ian Sinfield bundled his way over for a try to level the scores and set up a frantic final 20 minutes. With ten minutes to go Presley intercepted a Swinton pass to race 60 metres to the try line and claim the score that settled the game.

Factfile:

Eagles: Poucher; McClarron, Bravo, Walker, Ford; Lindsay, Gavin Brown; Howieson, Pickering, Craig Brown, Holdstock, Smith, Dickinson. Subs: Presley, Ostler, Sovatabua, Stringer. Scorers. Tries: Ostler, Ford, Presley. Goals: Gavin Brown 3.

Swinton: English; Saywell, Woods, Alstead, Billy; Marsh, McGovern, Johnson; Wood, McCurrie, Newton, Sinfield, Marshall. Subs: Hough, Aboushakra, Morley, Wakelin. Scorers. Tries: Woods, Saywell. Sinfield. Goals: Marsh 1.

Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham).

Sin binned: Jack Howieson (Eagles), Tana Wakelin (Swinton) 60min – fighting.

Attendance: 830

Starman: Brendon Lindsay

THIS was all over by half-time. The Eagles turned up the heat in the first half and blasted Skolars away…but went off the boil in the second 40 minutes. Seven of the eight tries were scored in the first session with only four points added in the second. But the Eagles rapidly improving defence prevented even a consolation score by the Londoners to earn their first ‘nil’ score line of the season.

“Great first half – ordinary second half to be fair,” said head coach Gary Wilkinson. “We can come up with excuses that we were carrying only 16 players but you have to give credit to the Skolars. But to nil a side is pretty good and to score 116 points in the last two games. A massive effort but it is also disappointing - he lads know they should have put up a better second half.”

The win extended the second-placed Eagles’ run to five straight victories. The Eagles had too much power going forward and fast passing moves led by Gavin Brown, Brendon Lindsay and Jon Presley tore London apart.

Even an early injury that saw winger Grant Farrow stretchered off with a dislocated kneecap couldn’t halt the Eagles’ rhythm. A clever use of substitutes kept the pressure on – with prop Mitch Stringer and Waisale Sovatabua, who moved to centre, putting in big sets on a hot and humid night.

The Eagles were ahead after only one minute when Dale Holdstock charged down a kick and ran on to collect the ball for the try. Caldon Bravo – who moved to the wing after Farrow’s injury - celebrated his Don Valley debut for the Eagles with two tries including dramatically collecting a Frank Reid high kick before running 80 metres to the try line. Between those scores impressive fullback Craig Poucher forced his way over from close in and skipper Andy Smith finished off a break by Stringer and Presley.

Sovatabua blasted his way through before passing to Sean Dickinson who provided the final pass for Presley to claim a deserved try. A couple of other efforts were ruled out after borderline decisions by the referee as the Eagles looked able to score at will. Centre Jimmy Walker rounded off the half with a try from a passing move by Presley and Dickinson in the final minute.

Gavin Brown converted all the tries to pass the 900-points mark for the Eagles and at half-time they had the game won at 42-0 ahead.

The game slowed after the break with London seeing more of the ball and the edge going off the Eagles’ game. But the Eagles’ defence was strong and helped by a laboured build up by London. Tempers flared at times and referee Peter Brooke put a London player on report for alleged biting. It was not until 60 minutes that the Eagles increased their lead with a try from winger James Ford who took Stringer’s pass and raced down the line. For once Gavin Brown failed with the kick but the game was dead as a contest.

Eagles: Poucher; Farrow, Bravo, Walker, Ford; Lindsay, Gavin Brown; Howieson, Pickering, Craig Brown, Smith, Holdstock, Dickinson. Subs: Presley, Buckenham, Sovatabua, Stringer.

Scorers. Tries: Bravo 2, Holdstock, Poucher, Smith, Presley, Walker, Ford. Goals: Gavin Brown 7.

London Skolars: Marsden; DuToit, Tozer, Mushiso, Aggrey; Coleman, Reid; Barker, Shears Bidois, Castle, Pitman, Dawson. Subs: Brown, Joyce, Louw, Ellison.

Referee: P. Brooke (Hull)

Attendance: 729

Starman: Caldon Bravo – now five tries in three game.

 

Sheffield Eagles put up a wonderful performance in trouncing crisis-club Workington Town to fully avenge the 44-46 home defeat by Town in April. The Eagles were in full flight with l3 superb tries, two each going to Caldon Bravo, Alasdair McClarron and Jon Presley. They and the other try scorers and goal kickers Craig Poucher, with five, and Gavin Brown with four were all part of a great all-round performance which had Town beaten in defence, in tackling and in ball control.

While it appears unfair to pick out any one particular player, it was obvious to all that hooker Paul Pickering, after a brief spell on the bench, was the playmaker who inspired a display that had Workington floudering with intelligent over-lap play and moves that split the defence on numerous occasions.

The onslaught started as early as the second minute when brown put Martin Ostler through before converting. Tries ran thick and fast for the next l7 minutes. McClarron got over on ll minutes with Shaun Lunt, the home team's best player, on his back for an unconverted try and six minutes later Andy Smith went in for Brown to convert. On the l9th minute, Craig Poucher touched down in a gap for Brown to convert and take the side's points tally to 22 without reply.

Workington had not even settled down, but three minutes laster they showed some guts when Lunt scrambled over in the corner and Steve Kirkbride tacked on the goal points.

Sheffield came back quickly, however, with a fifth try on the half-hour through Dale Holdstock and another three minutes later one from McClarron, both unconverted by Brown. The scrum half, however, did improve his side's last try of the half four minutes before the break when Bravo took a clever pass from Brendon Lindsay and sliced through the paper-weight defence with ease.

So the much superior Eagles changed round 36-6 ahead withy the game as good as won. And the second half was only four minutes old when the visitors resumed where they left off --with a converted try, the touch-down this time coming from Waisale Sovatabua with Poucher now doing the kicking.
Sheffied were now in the 40s and within the next three minutes had increased their lead even further when Presley grabbed a ball on the bounce and sailed over for Poucher to augment.

Fifty minutes came and Lindsay put up the half-century of points with Poucher again augmenting. But although Town knew they were humiliated they still showed a little spirit on 57 minutes when Dexter Miller completed their scoring with a battling try in the corner which Kirkbride failed to convert. Eagles were not satisfied with their tally and on 62 minutes Bravo galloped from half-way to score despite a gallant failed tackle by Scott Nixon. Poucher mised the kick but was successful with his last two from tries by Pickering (68 minutes) and Presley (78).

Workington: Beattie; Whitworth, Fraser, Wilkson, Tinnion; Nixon, Kirkbride, Beaumont, Lunt S, Lavulavu,  Cox, Miller, Lunt R - Subs: King, Burgess, Tuimavaluga, Purdham

Sheffield Eagles: Poucher; McClarron, Bravo, Walker, Ford; Lindsay, Brown G, Howieson, Pickering, Ostler, Hay, Brown C, Smith - Subs: Presley, Holdstock, Sovatabua, Stringer

Referee: I. Smith (Oldham).

Attendance: 568.
 

Sheffield Eagles have ended the hoodoo Swinton Lions have held over them in recent seasons with a great display. The win breaks a spell that has seen Swinton win the previous seven league and cup meetings. The Eagles did it in style with a controlled display as they soaked up Swinton pressure with strong defence before taking the game. Stand-off Brendon Lindsay led the way in exorcising Swinton’s hoodoo by scoring a try and playing a part in the other four. Head coach Gary Wilkinson can also look back on a series of well-planned substitutions that had a big impact.

“It was very controlled. We expected a tough game and that’s what we got,” said Wilkinson. “It was an important win psychologically because it keeps us in touch with Dewsbury.”

The Eagles keep second place in the LHF Healthplan National Two League behind Dewsbury Rams but now one point ahead of the rest of the chasing pack. They showed they could handle difficult conditions caused by driving. The defence was strong – particularly on the Eagles’ right where winger Greg Hurst and centre Jimmy Walker were targeted but stood up well and put in big spells of carrying the ball out of defence. The Eagles went behind to an early penalty but a break by second row Andy Hay and debut centre Caldon Bravo produced an opening that sent in Lindsay for the first try converted by Gavin Brown.

Swinton briefly held the lead with a bizarre try that saw a chip kick bounce off Eagles’ Dale Holdstock into the hands of Lions’ hooker Phil Wood. Ian Marsh added the conversion. Wilkinson went for a power boost putting on subs Waisale Sovatabua and Martin Ostler. It paid off just before the break as Ostler dived on to Lindsay’s chip for a try. Brown added the goal for an 12-8 lead at the half-time.

The Eagles rode out a spell down to 12 men when winger Alasdair McClarron was yellow carded with Gavin Brown and Lindsay kicking well for position. Sovatabua blasted a hole in the Swinton cover before Lindsay sent out a long pass for McClarron to score a try near the corner soon after his return from the sin bin. Swinton got a soft run-in try from fullback Wayne English but the Eagles snapped back to take the game after a 40-20 kick by Gavin Brown lifted a period of Lions’ pressure.

Scrum-half Brown was held near the posts but the ball went out to Lindsay whose chip kick was dived on by Walker for the vital try on 74 minutes. With a minute to go Lindsay sent in Bravo for a try – job done.

Factfile:

Swinton: English; Saywell, Alstead, Stout, Billy; Moana, McGovern; Aboushakra, Wood, Johnson, Newton, Marshall, Marsh. Subs: Patel, Morley, McCurrie, Parry.

Eagles: Poucher; McClarron, Bravo, Walker, Hurst; Lindsay, Gavin Brown; Howieson, Pickering, Buckenham, Hay, Craig Brown, Dickinson. Subs: Presley, Ostler, Holdstock, Sovatabua.

Scorers:

Eagles – Tries: Lindsay, Ostler, McClarron, Walker, Bravo. Goals: Gavin Brown 2.

Swinton – Tries: Wood, English. Goals: Marsh 3.

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)

Attendance: 421.

Sin binned: McClarron (Eagles 46min)

Starman: Brendon Lindsay.
 

SHEFFIELD completed the double over Barrow convincingly at Craven Park. In sweltering conditions on the South Cumbrian coast, it was the Eagles who coped better to run in six tries on an afternoon of scrappy rugby. The visitors started the stronger, Alisdair McClarron held up only a metre short on their first set of six and new signing Dale Holdstock knocking on five metres from the line when they looked certain to score.

They opened their account on eight minutes when Brendan Lindsay broke through a hole in the Barrow defence from 10 meters out to go over the line to the left of the posts for 4-0.  Barrow too their time to get back into the game, Sean Dickinson held up over the line for Sheffield before Barrow came even close to scoring, Mike Whitehead knocking on a metre from the line. McClarron was denied a try when he made a strong break down the left, Raiders full-back Khamal Ganley, on his first appearance for the club, getting back just in time to make a crucial tackle.

The gap increased when full-back Craig Poucher made a break after being set up by Martin Ostler, the Eagles man running in to score to the side of the posts, Jamie Marshall and Paul Jones unable to drag him back. Barrow got themselves back into the game just before the interval when big man Ian Rawlinson when charging over for a try and Ganley ran through minutes later, only to be dragged to ground 30 meters out.

Sheffield started the second half the stronger, Holdstock capitalising as Jones and James Nixon spilled a Lindsay kick into his hands to allow him to score. Barrow were making too many mistakes when they had the chance to attack, the ball being knocked on on the first and second tackles. But somehow it was they and not Sheffield who scored next, Jones going over on the left to cut the gap to 16-12. That was as close as Barrow got, the Eagles  scoring three further tries, two through Jon Presley and one from Greg Hurst to give them a deserved win.


Barrow: Ganley, Marshall, J Finch, Jones, Nixon, Kaighan, Holt, Raftery, Archer, Blake, Lupton, Wilcock, Whitehead. Subs (all used): beach, Luxon, Dutton, Rawlinson.

Eeagles: Poucher, McClarron, Holdstock, Walker, Hurst, Lindsay, G Brown, Howieson, Pickering, Buckenham, Hay, C Brown, Dickinson. Subs (all used): Woodcock, Ostler, Presley, Sovatabua.

Scorers: Barrow: Tries - Jones, Rawlinson; Goals - Holt 2.

Eagles: Tries - Presley 2, Lindsay, Poucher, Holdstock, Hurst; Goals Woodcock 3, G Brown.

Referee: Michael Dawber.
 
Attendance: 836.
 

SHEFFIELD Eagles produced a power-packed first half to race ahead of promotion rivals Featherstone Rovers at Don Valley last night. The Eagles led by scrum-half Gavin Brown and second row forward Craig Brown dominated the first 40 minutes but were given a scare as Rovers came back to within four points of the lead early in the second half. But they took the pressure and after winger Rob Worrincy picked up a loose pass and raced 50 metres to touch down they ran out clear winners.

Head coach Gary Wilkinson said: "The first half showed what we are capable of. There was a bit of a scare but we showed a lot of character and built the pressure again."

The Eagles opened the scoring in less than two minutes with a Gavin Brown high kick collected by Alistair McClarren whose long flick pass inside sent in stand-off Brendon Lindsay for the try. Gavin Brown provided the final pass for second row Craig Brown to claim the second try - his 100th for the club - but Rovers kept in touch with a try in the corner from winger Gareth Davis from a pass by Brian Sutton.

The Eagles hit back with a try from McClarron and a second for Craig Brown. They were helped by handling errors by Rovers. Featherstone reduced the deficit with a try from winger Matty Wray two minutes from the break converted by Stuart Dickens. Gavin Brown who was kicking with deadly accuracy added a penalty just before half-time to send the Eagles in 26-10 ahead.

Rovers gave Eagles a scare soon after restart with a try from substitute hooker Gavin Swinson under the posts converted by Dickens who followed it with a penalty goal.Wray's second try narrowed the score to 26-22 by but relief came with winger Rob Worrincy picking up a loose pass to run 50 metres for a try on 55 minutes.

The Eagles steadied and tries from props Jack Howieson and Tom Buckenham - who twisted out of a couple of tackles before touching down - put the game safe. Gavin Brown capped a great display by bringing his goal tally to eight. Rovers got a 78 minutes consolation try from Craig Fawcett with Dickens adding the goal.

Factfile:
Sheffield: Poucher; McClarron, Ford, Walker, Worrincy; Lindsay, Gavin Brown; Howieson, Pickering, Buckenham, Hay, Craig Brown, Dickinson. Subs:Presley, Trayler, Hurst, Ostler.

Featherstone: Larvin; Davis, Sutton, Cardoza, Wray; Blakeway, Fawcett; Tonks, Paul Hughes, Dickens, Sutcliffe, Dooler, Carl Hughes. Subs: Swinson, Nicholson, Ellery,Houston.

Scorers: Eagles. Tries: Craig Brown 2, Lindsay, McClarron, Worrincy, Howieson, Buckenham. Goals: Gavin Brown 8

Featherstone. Tries: Davis, Wray 2, Swinson, Fawcett. Goals Dickens: 4

Referee: Julian King (St Helens)

Attendance: 935
 

SHEFFIELD Sheffield Eagles had a disappointing day in Wales as Celtic Crusaders leapt above them in the table. And just to rub it in, Aled James, who the Crusaders signed from the Eagles less than 10 days ago, was on the scoresheet against his former club.

The Eagles dominated the initial period of the game but their first handful of attempts were thwarted by the strong Crusaders defence. However, their attacking was rewarded in the 11th minute when Jimmy Walker slid in from Gavin Brown’s kick. Brown converted.

There was no more scoring until the 36th minute despite strong attacks from both sides. Sean Dickinson was sin-binned for a late tackle on the quarter hour but Crusaders failed to take advantage. Eagles kept attacking. Craig Poucher’s pass went into touch near to the line while Waisale Sovatabua looked to have kicked a 40-20 but it just went short.

Luke Young set up Tony Duggan to go over for Crusaders’ equalising try on 36 minutes, Young scored an almost identical try just after half-time while former Eagle Carl de Chenu almost scored a third but pressure from Poucher caused him to hit the flag when diving for the line. De Chenu then became try-stopper as he forced Walker into touch as he dived for the line just before Young fed James for another Crusaders score. Eagles pulled a try back on 72 minutes with Sovatabua went in under the sticks with Poucher converting to produce a grandstand finish.

The gamebreaker came a few minutes later when Sovatabua knocked on, giving a scrum to Crusaders which resulted in a try under the sticks for debutant Gareth Dean on 77 minutes.


Factfile:

Crusaders: Duggan, de Chenu, James, Quinn, Johnson, Young, Van Dijk, Davies, Ryan, Cushion, Barton, Jobson, Fitzgerald. Subs: Dean,.G Davies ,Van Rensberg, Morgan.

Eagles: Poucher, McLarren, Ford, Walker, Worrincy, Lindsay, G Brown, Howieson, Pickering, Ostler, C Brown, Smith, Dickinson. Subs: Presley, Buckenham, Hay, Sovatabua.

Scorers: Crusaders: Tries - Duggan, Young, James, Dean, Morgan; Goals - Quinn 4.

Eagles: Tries - Walker, Sovatabua; Goal - G Brown, Poucher.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).
 

EAGLES bounced back to winning ways with a great second half display that brushed aside Barrow Raiders. A great second half display left their promotion rivals reeling and they denied Barrow the consolation of even a single try. The charge was led by Gavin Brown - playing at various times at scrum-half, stand-off and hooker plus taking over the place kicking when Johnny Woodcock was injured.

The Raiders stayed in the game in the first half thanks to a string of penalties awarded by referee Paul Carr. The Eagles gave a debut to former Castleford Lock Lance back rower Tommy Trayler who showed up well when he came off the bench. A close first 40 minutes saw the Eagles score the only tries of the half but because of indiscipline and Mr Carr's penalty awards go in level at 8-8.

The Eagles took the lead after only two minutes when following a tap penalty by Gavin Brown they used the position to send in loose forward Sean Dickinson for the try. Jonny Woodcock was wide with the spot kick and later went off with an injured ankle. Then came the first of seven first half penalties for Barrow and the sin  binning of Eagles' second rower Martin Ostler for delaying the play the ball. Four penalties were in kicking positions and scrum half Darren Holt landed all four to give the Raiders an 8-4 lead going into the final ten minutes of the half.

The Eagles brought on half-back Jon Presley and switched Gavin Brown to hooker and they started to move the ball faster and take control. A chip kick by stand-off Brendon Lindsay was hacked ahead by Presley who collected the bouncing ball to dive over for the try that levelled the scores at the break. Presley was denied a try for a forward pass soon after the restart but the Eagles with Mitch Stringer and Waisale Sovatabua's breaks roughing up the Barrow defence were gaining control.

The deadlock was broken on 56 minutes with winger Alistair McClarron intercepting Brett McDermott's wild pass to run 50 metres to touchdown. Gavin Brown added the goal. He followed up with a drop goal, then a penalty after Barrow's Matt Blake was sin binned for a late tackle on the scrum-half, to ease the Eagles further ahead with 15 minutes to go. Brown capped a great performance with a try from Presley's pass then added the goal with seven minutes to go. Centre James Ford wrapped up the win  after sprinting 70 metres for a late try with Brown kicking the goal from the touchline.

Factflie

Eagles:

Woodcock; McClarron, Ford, Poucher, Hurst; Lindsay, Gavin Brown, Howieson, Pickering, Stringer, Ostler, Smith, Dickinson. Subs: Presley, Trayler, Craig Brown, Sovatabua.

Barrow
Marshall; James Finch, Atkinson, Harrison, Nixon; Jones, Holt; Raftery, Clark, Blake, Wilcock, McDermott, Whitehead. Subs: Archer, Lupton, Dutton, Rawlinson.

Scorers:

Eagles. Tries: Dickinson, Presley, McClarron, Gavin Brown, Ford; Goals: Gavin Brown 4, 1dp;

Barrow: Goals: Holt4.

Referee: P Carr (Castleford)

Attendance: 882

Sin Binned: Martin Ostler (Eagles 9min); Matt Blake (Barrow 65).

Starman: Gavin Brown.
 

 Sheffield Eagles slipped to fourth in LHF Healthplan National League Two after they suffered a late sickener against Gateshead Thunder on Tyneside. The Eagles had let leads slip in each half when, with the scores tied at 26-26, Gateshead sub. Neil Thorman celebrated his 22nd birthday with the
match winning 74th minute field goal.

Sheffield had three tries disallowed by Whitehaven referee Gareth Hewer for differing reasons, saw Sean Dickinson bomb a certain try and had Jon Presley held up over the line. But Gary Wilkinson's side failed to find the form that had brought three consecutive wins as they fell to a Gateshead side playing its third game in eight days.

"Gateshead were very enthusiastic and we had to beware the wounded animal after they lost at home to Barrow in midweek," said Wilkinson. "We never really dominated and kept slipping up. The result and performance were very disappointing and there may have been a bit of arrogance after the three wins. But we had enough chances to win the game and should have. We're not panicking because we lost and its certainly not the end of the world."

The Eagles hardly touched the ball in the opening ten minutes as Gateshead forced three repeat sets and put the first points on the board through Australian stand off Chris Birch. Full back Johny Woodcock then hit a gap to score between the posts and then centre James Ford touched down in the corner as the Eagles rallied. Rob Worrincy had earlier had a try chalked off for a foot in touch while the concession of two penalties saw hooker Nathan Black create a new Gateshead record when he dived over from dummy half. Black had touched down for the 7th consecutive game and then Dickinson had a try ruled out for Wilkinson's men for a double movement as play continued to ebb and flow.

But when Birch exposed more defensive frailties in the Eagles defensive line when he again dummied over Thunder led 14-12 at half time. It was Sheffield who then grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck with two converted tries after the restart which should have been the platform for victory. Gateshead conceded field position with the concession of a scrum and penalty to allow Brendon Lindsay to put centre Waisale Sovatabua between the posts.

Mitchell Stringer's superb offload on the line then put Lindsay in as theEagles opened up a potentially match winning advantage. A resilient Thunder however were given a lifeline when Paul Pickering knocked on inside the Eagles ten and Birch's long pass saw winger Robin Peers hit the line with an angled run. Sheffield had failed to put the game to bed and a rejuvenated Gateshead were level when the Eagles gave away two penalties and Birch's kick on the last saw prop Rob Line power over.

Sovatabua's attempted long range field goal failed miserably but Thorman'saccuracy with the boot settled an absorbing game. A gutsy Thunder, led by an impressive pack, had eked out a victory against the odds in a game that Sheffield contrived to throw away.

"We've lost narrowly against Gateshead and Workington when we should have won both games," added Wilkinson "Had we done so we'd now be top of the league but fortunately other results went for us today."

Factfile:

Gateshead Thunder: Liddell, Brown, Jeffries, Neighbour, Peers, Birch, Connors, Line, Black, Osborn, Bradley, Cakacaka, Burley Subs; (used) Rowe, Doherty, Thorman (not used) Hill

Sheffield Eagles: Woodcock, Hurst, Ford, Sovatabua, Worrincy, Lindsay, G.Brown, Howieson, Pickering, C.Brown, Ostler, Smith, Poucher Subs; (all used) Presley, Dickinson, McClarron, Stringer

Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven)

Att; 231

Scorers:

Thunder Tries: Birch 2, Black, Peers, Line Goals: Liddell (3/5) Drop Goal: Thorman

Eagles: Tries: Ford, Woodcock, Sovatabua, Lindsay. Goals: Woodcock (5/5)

Report By Jeff Bowron

SHEFFIELD Eagles proved they can produce the power plays to keep their promotion bid on track as they left Hunslet Hawks reeling. Going into the second half the Eagles were behind but they stepped up a gear to blast away  the Hawks side and keep up their challenge at the top of the
National two league.~

Pressing the supercharger was winger Rob Worrincy with a spectacular solo break and 60-metre dash to the line to claim the vital breakthrough try. Eagles fans had endured a dour first half as handling mistakes and some strong defence by Hunslet kept the game tight. But the Eagles always looked to have the extra cutting edge with scrum-half Gavin Brown outstanding as he tried to get the side sparking. Add the power of Mitch Stringer, Martin Ostler and Waisale Sovatabua coming off the bench and the balance always seemed likely to tip the Eagles way.

"It was an arm wrestle," said head coach Gary Wilkinson. "I was a bit disappointed at half-time, I thought we lacked go forward but it was a cracking second half and there was a purple patch when we went ok."

A double set of six tackles produced the sustained pressure that led to the Eagles taking the lead on 19 minutes with winger Rob Worrincy jumping high to collect Gavin Brown's kick to go over in the corner. Jonny Woodcock added the conversion. Hunslet hit back three minutes later with former Eagles' hooker Darren Robinson forcing his way over under the posts before completing the job by adding the goal. A sharp, short pass out of the tackle by James Ford sent winger Alasdair McClarron diving full length across the try-line to restore the Eagles' lead with Woodcock adding the goal. A penalty by Robinson reduced the margin and Hunslet edged ahead just before half-time with a try for winger Rob Brown. Robinson added the goal for a 14-12 lead to the Hawks.

The Hunslet hooker crossed the Eagles line on 47 minutes but the try was ruled out with the referee pulling play back for an earlier penalty which was converted by Robinson. Three minutes later the Eagles levelled the scores when Sovatabua produced an unstoppable power drive to force his way over the line. The Eagles were looking the stronger as the game went into the final quarter and they took the lead with Worrincy's solo second try converted by Woodcock. Then it was time to turn the screw with centre James Ford finishing a passing move involving Jon Presley and Woodcock with the fullback adding the  goal. Centre Jimmy Walker raced in for the Eagles sixth try to make the game safe and Woodcock took his goal tally to five from six attempts.Right on the hooter Rob Brown scored his second try for Hawks.

Factfile:
Eagles:  Woodcock; McClarron, Ford, Walker, Worrincy; Lindsay, Gavin Brown, Howieson, Pickering, Craig Brown, Hay, Smith, Poucher. Subs: Presley, Ostler, Sovatabua, Stringer.

Scorers. Tries: Worrincy 2, McClarron, Sovatabua, Ford, Walker. Goals: Woodcock 5.

Hunslet: Sibson; Rob Brown, Foster, Ian Brown, Flynn; Anthony Gibbons, Moxon; Shickell, Robinson, Carbutt, Freeman, Seal, Redfearn. Subs: Cook, Walkin, Williamson, Staveley.

Scorers. Tries: Rob Brown 2, Robinson. Goals: Robinson 4.

Referee: D Merrick (Huddersfield)

Attendance: 775
 

SHEFFIELD Eagles produced a solid performance in awful conditions to beat the London Skolars at New River. More than 30 handling errors by the two teams littered a sloppy, uninspiring game. It started with London knocking-on Johnny Woodcock's kick-off, a clever move by the full-back, because he sacrificed distance for a bouncing ball.

Eagles scored after four minutes, Andy Smith finishing off a good move out to the right. The Skolars lost Powhiri Bidois and Shaun Ata to game-ending injuries in the opening 12 minutes, but Sheffield were in merciless mood. Gavin Brown and Brendon Lindsay kept asking questions with astute kicks and the answers were often "whoops".

Lindsay scored the second try, after 18 minutes, popping up alongside Gavin Brown as he made a break, although he nearly dropped the ball before grounding it. London countered with a penalty from Jermaine Coleman, but they again knocked-on from the kick-off. Woodcock was on the end of a good passing move out to the wing and he touched down in the corner.

After 38 minutes, big Mitchell Springer proved unstoppable from five metres out. Woodcock's second conversion made it 20-2 at the break The Skolars scored their only try after 48 minutes through Matt Pittman. Coleman added the conversion and another penalty to cut the deficit to 10 points.

But Sheffield stiffened their defence, made good kicking decisions and generally disrupted London's possession as well as scoring three tries in the final quarter. After 60 minutes, Jon Presley took an inside pass from Paul Pickering and sprinted between the posts. Waisale Sovatabua, on his third Eagles debut, set up James Ford for a 74th-minute try. The last try of the game was the best. A powerful break from Worrincy was continued by Presley and Woodcock finished off between the sticks. Woodcock's conversion gave him 18 points for the match.

Skolars: Dean, Simms, Shears, Ata, Aggrey, Coleman, Meischke, Bidois, Honor, Wallis, Castle, Jonker, Pittman. Subs: Reid, Ellison, Palmer, Joyce.

Eagles: Woodcock, Hurst, Ford, Walker, Worrincy, Lindsay, G Brown, Hewieson, Pickering, C Brown, Hay, Ostler, Smith. Subs: Presley, Sovatabua, Poucher, Stringer.

Scorers:

Skolars: Try -Pittman; Goals - Coleman 3.

Eagles: Tries -Woodcock 2, Smith, Lindsay, Stringer, Ford, Presley;  Goals - Woodcock 5.

Referee: Paul Carr (Castleford).

Attendance: 367
 

Eagles came back to try-scoring form as they swept aside promotion rivals Gateshead Thunder.The Eagles rattled in six tries - including four during an impressive second half display. The team was boosted by prop forward Mitch Stringer, signed on a month's loan from Salford Reds shortly before the kick-off. Barnsley lad Stringer started his career at Sheffield before joining London  Broncos and switching to Salford last season. He's going to be needed. The cloud over the win was the stretchering off of prop Simon Morton after only three minutes.Martin Ostler came on for Morton and had an outstanding game but Stringer was soon in the action and produced a big set - almost forcing his way over for a second half try.

There were some anxious moments but the Eagles - even with 16 fit men carried too much power for a limited Gateshead side. Hooker Paul Pickering had another massive game and winger Rob Worrincy - in
for the injury Alasdair McClarron - was effective in defence and with  attacking breaks.

Gateshead took the lead a minute after Morton's injury with a try from winger Graeme Jeffries after fullback Johnny Woodcock fumbled a chip kick in the in-goal area. Eagles hit back with a try from Andy Hay set up by Brendon Lindsay and converted by Woodcock.

Gateshead edged ahead with substitute forward Tabua Cakacaka forcing his way over in the corner.But the Eagles were starting to look the sharper side and stronger in defence even when a man down after the sin binning of skipper Andy Smith for a high tackle. A break by Lindsay and a penalty set the position for scrum-half Jon Presley to scoot 25 metres through the Gateshead defence to touchdown under the posts. Woodcock added the goal and a penalty following Wayne Liddell's sin binning on half-time, for 14-8 lead.

Eagles stepped up the pressure from the restart and dominated possession but Gateshead held out until 51 minutes when centre Jimmy Walker scored his first try for the Eagles on his home debut. It was swiftly followed by a try from fellow centre James Ford - who earlier had bombed a touchdown after a break by Lindsay. Woodcock, kicking with cool perfection, added the goal. Gateshead briefly hit back with a soft try by hooker Nathan Black from acting half-back, converted by Liddell. But it was only a brief scare as Lindsay intercepted a pass before sending away Ford who touched down after an 80-dash to the line. Worrincy crowned his night with an interception on the Eagles line before powering away the length of the field for the try. Woodcock added both goals.

Factfile:
Eagles: Woodcock; Hurst, Ford, Walker, Worrincy; Lindsay, Presley, Howieson, Pickering, Morton, Hay, Craig Brown, Smith. Subs: Farrow, Ostler, Poucher, Stringer.

Scorers. Tries: Ford, 2, Hay, Presley, Walker, Worrincy . Goals: Woodcock 7.

Gateshead Thunder: Liddell; Jeffries, Barnes, Neighbour, Peers, Thorman; Connors, Line, Black, Rowe, Bradley, Gocher, Burley. Subs: Brown, Birch, Cakacaka, St Bernard.

Scorers. Tries: Jeffries, Cakacaka. Goals: Liddel 1

Referee: G. Hewer (Whitehaven)

Attendance: 707

Sin binned: Andy Smith (Eagles 23min); Wayne Liddell (Gateshead 40)

Star man: Paul Pickering
 

From the kick-off the Eagles had faced a battering from the Rams’ pack. An early scare when Brendon Lindsay’s kick was charged down was saved by a covering tackle from McClarron. The Rams took the lead with a penalty from Francis Maloney and around the quarter-hour mark scored their first try with winger Bryan Powell sneaking in near the corner and Maloney adding the goal.

But the Eagles snapped back. They won the ball back from the kick-off and substitute forward Martin Ostler’s break set up the position for Hay to force his way through before stretching to touchdown. Jonny Woodcock added the goal. The Rams edged ahead with Watene’s explosive break and pass sending in Dominic Maloney. Scrum-half Jon Presley’s 70-metre break and chip which just eluded Ford almost saw the Eagles hit back but they went in at half-time 12-6 down

The opening 20 minutes of the second half were unrelenting Dewsbury pressure matched by great defending by the Eagles. But the Rams finally broke through with a try from scrum-half Liam Finn and a Maloney goal on 61 minutes. Then the Eagles broke the shackles and battled into the Rams’ half with Lindsay dropping on Presley’s chip kick for his ninth try of the season and Woodcock’s conversion reduced the margin to six points. But there was to be no miracle recovery as former Eagles’ hooker Richard Chapman forced his way over for a try on 72 minutes. Francis Maloney added the goal and a drop goal to put two scores between the side before adding a penalty with the last kick of the game.

Factfile:
Dewsbury: Tillotson; Powell, Hall, Maun, Mack; Francis Maloney, Finn; Watene, Chapman, Dominic Maloney, Crouthers, Bretherton, Matt walker. Subs: greenwood, Keyy, Southwell, James Walker.

Scorers. Tries: Powell, Dominic Maloney, Finn, Chapman. Goals: Francis Maloney 5, 1dg.

Eagles: Woodcock; McClarron, Ford, Jimmy Walker, Hurst; Lindsay, Presley; Howieson, Pickering, Hay, Brown, Smith. Subs: Brentley, Ostler, Dickinson, Poucher.

Scorers. Tries: Hay, Lindsay. Gaols: Woodcock 2.

Referee: Ben Thaler (Wakefield)


Attendance 912.
 

SHEFFIELD Eagles lost their unbeaten record as they handed a game they seemed to have in the bag to Workington Town. From being 22 points down early in the second half the Cumbrians were allowed to battle back and claim the game with a try nine minutes from time. Workington managed to tighten their defence in the second half but the Eagles didn't learn the lesson. An error-strewn match at Don Valley stadium produced eight tries for each team.

In the first half Workington did their best to hand the game to the Eagles with a series of errors. Eagles' centre James Ford helped himself to a hat-trick of tries. Ford claimed his first after Brendon Lindsay forced Frazer into an error after only a minute. Then it was Ford who turned provider with the final pass for winger Alasdair McClarron to race in five minutes later.

But the warning flags were raised as Workington hit back with a try from Shaun Lunt. Town's second try from centre Town's Andy Beattie soon followed. But the Eagles hit back with Ford's second try only to be rocked again by a try from Town's Martin Wilson who was allowed to run 35 metres unchallenged  following a scrum.

An Andy Hay try steadied Eagles nerves but Liam Campbell's try kept Town within four points The Eagles finished the half 38-22 ahead with Ford's hat-trick try and skipper Andy Smith touching down after Lindsay forced an error from Town's fullback Kamel Ganley. The Eagles scored the first try of the second half from Jonny Woodcock, following a position set up by a 40-20 kick by Lindsay, to go 22 points ahead.

But Town battled back as they tightened their defence and exposed the Eagles' fragile cover. Workington started to move the ball around faster and hit back with tries from Shaun Lunt, Beattie and a solo break by Ganley. On 71 minutes Kirkbride passed out of the tackle for Campbell to go in under the posts for his second try. Kirkbride adding the vital two points. The Eagles were behind for the first time in the game and Town held on to take the win. Woodcock kicked six goals for the Eagles with Kirkbride seven for Town.

Factfile:
Eagles: Woodcock; McClarron, Ford, Poucher, Worrincy; Lindsay, Presley, Howieson, Brentley, Morton, Hay, Ostler, Smith. Subs: Gavin Brown, Dickinson, Farrow, Buckenham

Workington Town: Ganley; Frazer, Saayman, Beattie, Wilson; Liam Campbell, Kirkbride; Vaughan, Shaun Lunt, Lavulavu, Ryan Campbell, Miller, Robert Lunt. Subs: Purdham, Burgess, Beaumont, Tumaualuaga.

Scorers:

Eagles. Tries: Ford 3, McClarron, Poucher, Hay, Smith, Woodcock. Goals: Woodcock 6.

Workington: Shaun Lunt 2, Campbell 2, Beattie 2, Wilson, Ganley. Goals: Kirkbride 7.

Referee: R. Hicks (Huddersfield)

Attendance: 756

Eagles came close to derailing first division Whitehaven with a great second half display to the delight of a small group of travelling fans and the constonation of the home supporters. The Eagles were 26-0 down after 30 minutes of this Northern Rail Cup quarter-final and looked to have nothing but a long journey home to look forward to.But after a confidence boosting try just before half-time they produced a massive second half.

They out scored the Cumbrians - who are one of the favourites for the cup - by 24-12 and finished the stronger side. Second row Martin Ostler led the way with a battling 80 minutes and was backed up by Sean Dickinson, Jon Presley, Rob Worrincy and a lively debut from half-back signing Joe Chambers.With the league the priority, players carrying minor injuries were left one the sidelines by the Eagles. Winger Greg Hurst was drafted into the second row and to make up the 17 Craig Poucher played after a week struggling with a virus. Brendon Lindsay was on the bench despite an injury.

Coach Gary Wilkinson said: "It was brilliant second half. We had six out from the last game and Brendon Lindsay was a non-playing substitute. Greg Hurst went off early doors after a heavy tackle so that result was put together with 15 blokes. There were a lot of great performances. It was good news for the league. I'd also like to thank the fans who made a very long trip for the way they
kept behind the lads."

It looked like the Eagles had been hit by an express train as Whitehaven piled on the points in the first half with tries from wingers Steve Maden and Carl Calvert, two for David Seeds and one for his centre partner Derek Eilbeck.The Eagles right-side defence was in tatters as hooker Carl Sice, stand-off Leroy Joe and Seeds piled on the pressure. Forward Simon Morton came off the bench to boost the tackling and just before the break stand-off Gavin Brown's pass picked out fullback Johnny Woodcock to race in for a confidence boosting try. Woodcook added the goal for 26-6 at the break.

The second-half was a different story. Presley got position with a 40-20 then provided the pass for Ostler to burst through for the try. The Eagles were dominating possession but Carl Slice with a try, that should have been ruled out for obstruction, and second try for Calvert put Whitehaven 38-12 ahead. Then it was try time for the Eagles with winger Alasdair MacClarron intercepting a pass and racing 80 metres to touchdown.An Ostler break was taken on by centre James Ford who sent in hooker Liam Brentley under the posts. Centre Grant Farrow swept through the Whitehaven cover, off-loaded to Worrincy who scooted clear before sending in Woodcock for his second try.Woodcock kept up his 100 per cent kicking record and the Eagles were flying but time and the hooter were on Whitehaven's side.

Whitehaven: Broadbent; Calvert, Seeds, Eilbeck, Maden; Joe, Duffy; Mark Jackson, Sile, Trindle, Rob Jackson, Hill, Rudd. Subs: Farmer, McKinney, Chambers, Bains.

Scorers. Tries: Calvert 2, Seeds 2, Maden, Eilbeck, Sice. Goals: Rudd 10.

Eagles: Woodcock; McClarron, Ford, Farrow, Worrincy; Gavin Brown, Presley; Howieson, Brentley, Buckenham, Ostler, Hurst, Dickinson. Subs: Chambers, Poucher, Lindsay (not used), Morton.

Scorers. Tries: Woodcock 2, Ostler, McClarron, Brentley. Goals: Woodcock 5.

Attendance: 1,400

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham).

Starman: Martin Ostler.
 

SHEFFIELD Eagles produced a thrilling finishing burst to edge out Celtic Crusaders in this top-of-the-table clash and claim maximum points from the Easter games. They snatched back the lead in the final 20 minutes toep their unbeaten record in the LHF Healthplan National Two league. Former Great Britain star Andy Hay – revelling in his return to the Eagles as player-assistant coach - was the hit man as he claimed the vital try.

Hay had always looked the most likely Eagles’ player to break the Crusaders’ defensive line before running on to hooker Paul Pickering’s pass on 71 minutes to the delight of the Don Valley crowd. The Eagles just about deserved the win – which keeps them unbeaten after three games - although sloppy defence almost handed the points to the south Wales side on a couple of occasions.

It was a good performance from the Eagles’ pack, which was hampered by an injury that kept second rower Craig Brown off the field after the first quarter. Skipper and former Hull KR loose forward Andy Smith had a big game and like Hay played the full 80 minutes. Winger Greg Hurst was strong in defence and on the other flank Alisdair McClarron claimed two tries.  In a frantic and at times fractious second 40 minutes half-backs Brendon Lindsay and Jon Presley kept their cool and just edged out the Celtic playmakers.

Hurst came close to the opening try before the Eagles went ahead with a penalty from fullback Jonny Woodcock on 12 minutes. Woodcock’s break set up McClarron’s first try three minutes later but the Crusaders came back with scrum-half Jace Van Dijk leading the charge.

Loose-forward Anthony Seibold rolled out of a tackle for their first try and with Eagles’ centre Dean Andrews in the sin bin Celtic drew level with a try from former Sheffield winger Carl De Chenu shortly before half-time.  The win looked on for the Crusaders when Paul Morgan raced in two minutes after the break with Damien Quinn adding the conversion.

The Eagles hit back with tries from McClarron and Lindsay and a goal from Woodcock. But poor defence allowed the Crusaders to sneak a 20-18 lead on with a try by Michael Ryan, under the posts, converted by Quinn on 58 minutes. It was nail-biting stuff from then on until Hay took Pickering’s long pass and claimed the vital try.

Eagles’ head coach Gary Wilkinson said: “That was a fantastic game of rugby league. I’m really pleased with the boys – particularly after a big game at Featherstone on Good Friday. We weren’t sure how we would cope with an arm wrestle after half-time but it showed that we can tough it out – everybody contributed to a great team effort.”

Factfile:

Sheffield Eagles: Woodcock; McClarron. Ford, Andrews, Hurst; Lindsay, Presley, Howieson, Pickering, Morton, Hay, Craig Brown, Smith. Subs: Brentley, Ostler, Poucher, Buckenham.

Scorers. Tries- McClarron 2, Lindsay, Hay. Goals: Woodcock 3.

Celtic Crusaders: Duggan; Epton, DeChenu, Fitzgerald, Johnson; Young, Van Dijk; Barton, Ryan, Cushion, Hockin, Seibold, Quinn. Subs: Simm, Scully, VanRensberg, Morgan.

Scorers. Tries: Siebold, DeChenu. Morgan, Ryan. Goals: Quinn 2.

Referee: D. Merrick (Huddersfield).

Sin Binned: Dean Andrews (Eagles 36min).

Starman: Andy Hay.
 

SHEFFIELD Eagles' try-machine blasted away Featherstone Rovers to keep up their challenge at the top of the league. The Eagles plundered 10 tries to bring up 100 points in the two opening games - but on the debit side they conceded 30 points. It was the kind of exciting game that thrills the fans but the coach tearing his hair out.

"It was a remarkable game - we don't like those kind of score lines, it's not good from a coaching point of view with 30 points conceded," admitted head coach Gary Wilkinson.

The win was built on another strong performance by the forwards with Simon Morton, Andy Hay and skipper Andy Smith outstanding. They won the battle with a strong Rovers' pack providing the possession for stand-off Brendon Lindsay to control play. The growing understanding between Lindsay and Hay produced some dramatic attacking moves.

Fullback Jonny Woodcock kicked eight goals from 11 attempts and scored a crucial try soon after half-time when the Eagles were a man down with James Ford in the sin bin. It was a frantic first half with Lindsay and Hay sent in centre Grant Farrow for the Eagles opening try but this was cancelled out by a Josh Weedon effort. Then the Eagles opened up a 16-6 lead with tries from Lindsay, set up by a Hay break, and winger Greg Hurst following a long pass from scrum-half Jon Presley. Poor defence let Rovers hit back with tries from Stuart Dickens and Carl Hughes to take the lead for what was to be the only time in the game. Jack Howieson came back off the bench to boost the forwards and second row  Craig Brown's try and a second for Farrow restored the lead only for Dale Cardoza to be gifted a try which narrowed the Eagles advantage to 26-24 at half-time.

The next score was crucial but despite being a man down (Ford in the sin bin) Lindsay and Hay made the opening for Woodcock to race in two minutes after the restart. Soon after the fullback kicked a penalty. Then the tries just kept coming with Alasdair McClarron, Presley (from a 50 metre break by
Morton), Martin Ostler and James Ford sealing the win as the Eagles raced  past the 50-point mark.
A dispirited Rovers only points of the half came from a late try and goal by Dickens.

Factfile
Featherstone: Moss; McHugh, Batty, Cardoza, Wray; Weeson, Carl Hughes, Tonks, Paul Hughes, Dickens, Dooler, Shillabeer, Crouch. Subs: Swinson, Houston, Nicholson, Carlton.

Scorers. Tries: Weedon, Dickens 2, Carl Hughes, Cardoza. Goals: Dickens 5.

Eagles: Woodcock; McClarron. Ford, Farrow, Hurst; Lindsay, Presley, Howieson, Pickering, Morton, Hay, Craig Brown, Smith. Subs: Brentley, Ostler, Poucher, Buckenham.

Scorers. Tries:Farrow 2, Lindsay, Hurst, Craig Brown, Woodcock, McClarron, Presley, Ostler, Ford. Goals: Woodcock 8.

Attendance: 1,095.

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury).

Sin Binned: James Ford (Eagles 38min), Ian Tonks (Featherstone 66).

Starman - Simon Morton
 

SHEFFIELD Eagles produced a display of try-scoring power to blast away Keighley Cougars.The eight-try win at Don Valley was just the way to start the battle for promotion from the LHF Healthplan National Two league. A young Keighley side were out-muscled by the Eagles pack and then ripped apart by a five-try bust in the second half.

For the Eagles former GB second rower Andy Hay and Aussie stand-off Brendon Lindsay were outstanding as they shared five second half tries. Matching them in his influence on the game was fullback Johnny Woodcock who kicked six conversions

The game started in dour fashion with the first 15 minutes seeing both teams struggling to control the ball and make an opening. There were handling mistakes and wild passes but neither side was able to
benefit from the errors. Then on 17 minutes the Eagles got into gear. Hay's break saw Lindsay pass out of the tackle for winger Alasdair McClarron to race over the touchline. The Keighley defence was opened up again three minutes later when Hay and Ford sent in McClarron for his second try.

A 40-metre break by fullback Woodcock for his own half - his second of the game - created the opening for centre Ford to run the last 35 metres to cross the line. Keighley came back with a try from Mick Feather from Barry Eaton's pass two minutes from half-time. Eaton added the goal for a 16-6 scoreline.

But in the second half  - played in sweeping icy rain - the Eagles tore a faltering Keighley side to shreds. Hay started the demolition on 45 minutes by finishing a cross-field passing  move involving Jon Presley and Lindsay. The try sent Hay past a career 50 points for the Eagles. Seven minutes later Lindsay delayed his pass to set up Hay's second try.

Gavin Brown came on and pepped up the attack as  Aussie stand-off Lindsay blasted a rapid-fire hat-trick of tries in 11 minutes. The crowd were treated to a weaving run, then a lucky kick through that bounced back off a Keighley player to Lindsay and finally a race on to a short pass for his third score. Woodcock finished with six goals for the Eagles.

Keighley's late consolation was a second try for Feather converted by Eaton. The Eagles can expect a tougher test in the Easter games. They go to Featherstone Rovers on Good Friday (kick-off 7.30pm) and on Easter Monday face Celtic Crusaders at Don Valley (kick-off 12noon).

FACTFLE
Eagles:  Woodcock; McClarron. Ford, Andrews, Hurst; Lindsay, Presley, Howieson, Pickering, Morton, Hay, Craig Brown, Smith. Subs: Gavin Brown, Ostler, Farrow, Buckenham.

Scorers. Tries: Lindsay 3, Hay 2, McClarron 2, Ford. Goals: Woodcock 6.

Keighley: Duffy, Gardner, Holmes, Fogerty, Smith; Feather, Eaton; Stephenson, Wainhouse, Cherry Holme, Palmer, Knight, Foster. Subs: Bramald, Johnson, Williams, Norcross. 

Scorers. Tries: Feather 2. Goals: Eaton 2.

Referee: Peter Taberner (Wigan)

Attendance:  798

SHEFFIELD Eagles were unlucky to find Hull KR winger Byron Ford's homing instinct for the try line is in overdrive these days. Not content with picking up five touchdowns against York City Knights last weekend, he added four more in the first half of the final Group Six match of the Northern Rail Cup at Craven Park. Hard hit by injuries and lack of preparation due to the weather and unavailability of the Don Valley stadium, head coach Gary Wilkinson refused to blame these problems for the scoreline.

"I know we had half a pack missing plus our regular scrum-half. But these things happen. There were some good performances out there and at half-time I asked them to stem the flow and I think they dug in and did that."

He added: "We were beaten by a very strong quality side. And when you look at the power they have on the bench, it is awesome."

It took Rovers just four minutes to get on the score sheet. Scott Murrell and John Goddard carved out an opening for the in-form Ford to touch down in the corner. Damien Couturier added the goal. And by the time the 18th minute had arrived, Ford had grabbed two more touchdowns with Couturier kicking another conversion. Back from injury, Iain Morrison claimed a 22nd minute try converted by Couturier, before a spell of pressure reaped its reward for skipper Andy Smith, one of five former Robins in the Eagles ranks, went in for a try converted by Brendon Lindsay. Despite some wholehearted effort, Rovers still managed three more tries from Ford, Iain Morrison and Tommy Gallagher before the break with Couturier adding two more conversions.

Restarting with a 34-6 lead a landslide might have been expected but Wilkinson had asked his men to dig in and they did just that. They restricted the home side to three more tries from Couturier, Jon Goddard and Scott Murrell with three conversions, two from Couturier and one from Murrell. Former Rovers idol Alasdair McClarron set off on a trade mark gallop as the hour approached but he was hampered by a tap tackle and then finally shackled by the hard-chasing Makali Aizue. It would have been unfair if the Eagles had not reaped some reward for their efforts and James Ford added a second try on 63 minutes after some good work by Rob Worrincy who beat a couple of defenders before off-loading. Lindsay converted the try and got his side on the move again a few minutes later with a superb 40/20 but nothing came of the resulting set of six. Eagles now have two weeks before their opening league match to get some bodies back fit and raring to go.

Hull KR 52
Sheffield Eagles 12

Hull KR
Rivett, Steel, Couturier, Goddard, Byron Ford, Murrell, Webster, Stephenson, Fisher, Tangata-Toa, Morrison, Michael Smith, Gallagher. Subs (all used): Joseph, Price, Parker, Aizue

Scorers: Tries: Byron Ford 4, Morrison, Gallagher, Couturier, Goddard, Murrell. Goals: Couturier 7, Murrell 1

Sheffield
Poucher, Clemie, Andrews, Ford, McClarron, Lindsay, Presley, Howieson, Pickering, Morton, Hay, Andy Smith, Dickinson, Subs (all used): Warrincy, Hurst, Brentley, Buckenham

Scorers: Tries: Andy Smith James Ford. Goals: Lindsay 2

Referee: Iain Smith (Oldham)

Attendance: 2,314

Star man: Simon Morton: Grafted his socks off the whole game

Eagles paid the penalty in every way as they went down to Featherstone Rovers in the Northern Rail Cup. Both sides scored two tries but the result was decided by the boot of Rovers’ Stuart Dickins. Referee Peter Tabener award eleven to the Eagles’ four with the first half-margin a massive seven to one. The Eagles often lost field position and worse allowed Dickins to put four kicks between the posts – those eight points being the margin between the teams. Really the Eagles should have been able to take out a workmanlike Rovers side who up to this game had failed to win in the Northern Rail Cup.

The Eagles looked laboured and flat at times – particularly in the second half when they failed to add a point to their score. Both sides used a kicking game to set up position but for Rovers’ Josh Weedon and Craig Fawcett just had the edge in the way they kept play moving. The game was played at Rotherham Titans rugby union club’s Clifton Lane ground because Don Valley is being used for a TV show, The Games.

Rovers opened the scoring on seven minutes when prop Stuart Dickins kicked a penalty – the third in a row the visitors had been awarded. Centre Danny Kirmon scored Rovers’ first try, converted by Dickens, on 16 minutes. But within a minute the Eagles hit back with stand-off Brendon Lindsay racing through to touchdown after the restart kick was fumbled. The Eagles also scored the half’s only other try from Paul Pickering after Gavin Brown turned out of a tackle before delaying his pass to create the opening for the hooker who broke a tackle to touchdown. Brown added the conversion.

But penalties made the difference with Dickins kicking two either side of Pickering’s try to give the Rovers a 10-12 lead at the break. Much of the second half was a battle of attrition as first Fetherstone then Sheffield had periods when they dominated the action. Inevitably a penalty broke the deadlock – kicked by Dickins, from 30 metres out in front of the posts, on 65 minutes. The game was sealed by a try from centre Brian Sutton who slipped inside former Hull KR winger Alasdair McClarron, who was making his Eagles debut, to touchdown with ten minutes to go.

Eagles: Woodcock; McClarron, Andrews, Poucher, Ford; Lindsay, Gavin Brown, Howison, Pickering, Morton, Ostler, Craig Brown, Smith. Subs: Presley, Dickinson, Hurst, Buckenham.

Scorers: Tries: Lindsay, Pickering. Goals: Gavin Brown 1.

Featherstone: Larvin; Moss, Sutton, Kirmond, Ray; Weedon, Fawcett, Tonks, Dobson, Dickins, Dooley, Nicholson. Subs: Swinson, Sillabeer, Sutcliffe, Carlton.

Scorers: Kirmond, Sutton. Goals: Dickins 5.

Referee: Paul Taberner (Wigan)

Attendance: 769

Penalties: 4-11

Starman: Simon Morton – another strong performance from the prop.

Eagles toppled York City Knights from their high horse with a fast moving display that mixed attacking skill with a determination not to let a lead slip away. Players carrying injuries and the effect of having to play two games in five days started to kick in during the second half and York pulled back to within a point. But the Eagles as battled and a try in the final minutes sent the National One side down to their second defeat in the Northern Rail Cup.

Sheffield dominated the first half but were twice caught cold by tries from York that pegged them back. The Eagles opened the scoring on six minutes when second rower Andy Hay timed his run with perfection to take stand-off Brendon Lindsay's pass to power in for the try. Craig Poucher added the goal. The lead was doubled when when Eagles skipper Andy Smith - who led from the front and is clearly enjoying his return to the league code - cut through the York defence for a try and Poucher again added the goal. The centre then  added a penalty to put the Eagles 14-0 ahead.

York made a series of substitutions with James Elston, who had come on at hooker, scoring their first try with a swerving run from dummy half that took him 30 metres through poor Eagles cover to touchdown on 28minutes. Phil Hasty added the goal. The Eagles were still dominating possession and but on 36 minutes Elston again broke from dummy half but this time provided a pass from John Smith to score the try. Hasty added the goal.

Fullback Johnny Woodcock eased the Eagles' nerves with a sparkling 40-metre break from his own half before passing to centre James Ford whose power run took him across the line on the stroke of half-time. Poucher added the goal for a 20-12 lead. Gavin Brown, off the subs bench for his 150th game for the Eagles, kicked a drop goal soon after the restart then following his 40 -20 kick Sheffield
went further ahead with a Poucher try.

Injuries started to kick in for the Eagles and tries from Jim Bates and Adam Sullivan plus two goals from Hasty pulled the score back to 25-24. But the Eagles dug deep and surged back with Ford providing the final pass for winger Greg Hurst to force his way in near the corner with five minutes
go to seal the game.

Eagles: Woodcock; Hurst, Ford, Poucher, Worrincy; Lindsay, Presley; Howieson, Brentley, Morton, Hay, Craig Brown, Smith. Subs: Gavin Brown, Ostler, Dickenson, Fletcher.

Scorers. Tries: Hay, Andy Smith, Ford, Poucher, Hurst. Goals: Poucher 4 from 8. Drop goal: Gavin Brown

York: Blaymire; Lingard, Farrell. Spicer, Clarke; Rhodes, Hasty; Buckley, Liddell, Bovil, Goldren, Blanchard, Paterson. Subs: Elston, John Smith, Sullivan, Bates. Scorers.

Tries: Elston, Smith, Bates, Sullivan.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham)

Attendance: 1,142

Starman: Andy Smith - led in true captain's style.

Eagles piled on the points in their opening game of the season in the Northern Rail Cup. Despite the gloomy weather the fans that made to journey to West Yorkshire will have gone home with a warm glow. The new look squad ran in seven tries against a Featherstone team that will be one of their rivals for promotion when the battle in the league proper starts.

“We asked to lads to step things up from the two friendlies and I think they’ve done that,” said head coach Gary Wilkinson. It’s always tough at Featherstone and we had a lot of defending to do in the second half and it was hard work but it was absolutely fantastic and there were some great performances.”

The Eagles had to overcome a heavy muddy pitch but produced sparking passing moves that defied the conditions. Rovers were reduced to 12 men with the sending off of centre Gavin Swinson on 50 minutes for a high tackle on James Ford but long before then the Eagles had looked to be pulling away. They were exciting going forward and apart from some early lapses defended well.

Former Doncaster fullback Johnny Woodcock was outstanding both in defence and when moving into the line with telling breaks. Right up to the final hooter he was going forward and the final minute was denied the try he deserved by desperate Rovers’ defence.

Scrum-half Jon Presley tormented his old club and scored a try on his return to the Lionheart Stadium. Hooker Paul Pickering wasn’t far behind. Second rower Andy Hay produced 80 minutes of action as he helped set up a couple of tries. Aussie stand-off Brendon Lindsay produced some snappy passing and winger Greg Hurst took his two tries with clinical efficiency.

The Eagles look like they will rack up the tries this season and winger Hurst powered in for the first of his two tries after only two minutes. Rovers hit back with a Swinson try but prop Jack Howison superb pass out of the tackle sent skipper Andy Smith to restore the Eagles lead. Swinson’s second try, and a try and a goal from Stuart Dickinson, briefly gave Rovers the lead before a passing move by Woodcock, Hay and Ford sent in Hurst on 29 minutes. Lindsay produced a run-around passing move with Hay before Presley touched down and two Craig Poucher goals gave the Eagles a 20-14 lead at half-time.

In the second half the Eagles weathered a period of pressure from the Rovers before Pickering touched down Presley’s grubby kick soon after Swinson had been shown the red card. It was ex-Hull KR hooker Pickering’s turn to produce the chip kick to set up a Sean Dickinson try and from the restart James and Hurst produced a 40 metre break before Lindsay took Hurst’s pass to power to the line. Poucher converted all three of the Eagles second –half tries. For the Rovers there was the consolation of a try from Dooler mid-way through the half.

Featherstone: Moss; McHugh, Shillabeer, Swinson, Close; Fawcett, Dobson; Huston, Hughes, Dickins, Dooler, Carter, Crouch. Subs: Wray, Nicholson, Tonks, Kirmond.

Scorers: Tries – Swinson 2, Dickins, Dooler. Goals - Dickins 1.

Eagles: Woodcock; Hurst, Ford, Poucher, Worrincy; Lindsay, Presley; Howieson, Pickering, Morton, Hay, Smith, James. Subs: Crawford, Buckenham, Dickinson, Fletcher.

Scorers: Tries – Hurst 2, Smith, Presley, Pickering, Dickinson, Lindsay. Goals – Poucher 5 from 7.

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Mirfield).

Attendance: 1,071.

Red card: Gavin Swinson (Rovers – high tackle).

Star man: Johnny Woodcock