Batley Bulldogs 22 Sheffield Eagles 34

Eagles showed their ability to soak up pressure and battle on as they produced a great second half display of attacking rugby to beat Batley Bulldogs.

Half-backs Brendon Lindsay and Kyle Wood were in great form with the scrum-half starting the points rush with a try a minute after the restart.

Then Lindsay played a big part in setting up two tries and scored a third as the Eagles raced into a 34-10 lead.

It gave the Eagles their third away win of the season and a 'double' over the Bulldogs who are fighting to avoid relegation.

The Australian playmaker was always in the action with some classy breaks and telling kicks to keep the momentum high and built on gritty forward play as the big men in the pack sweated it out in the blistering sun.

Club captain Jack Howieson came back after missing six games with a foot injury. The prop put in a strong early set with Mitch Stringer as the Eagles found it difficult to dominate play with a string of seemingly doubtful penalties handing the ball to Batley.

Former Leeds Academy player Luke Hardbottle made his debut off the bench and put in a well-timed run to score a second half try.

A big win hadn’t looked on as the Eagles struggled to take advantage of playing down Mount Pleasant’s sloping pitch in the first half.

A perfect Lindsay kick to the left corner gave the Eagles an early 40-20 but they wasted the position and Batley took the lead with a try for winger Jermaine McGilvary.

Centre Menzie Yere sign-posted his threat with a couple of breaks and some bone-crunching tackles before taking a Lindsay pass, racing down the touchline and providing winger Danny Mills with the final pass for the Eagles’ first try. Jonny Woodcock added the goal.

Batley had cleared learned from their first experience of facing Yere and tried to keep the play away from his side of the field!

Prop Ryan Hepworth was sin binned for obstruction and from the penalty Batley drew level. It took desperate defence and a couple of vital tackles from Wood and Woodcock to keep the home side from taking advantage of the extra man.

Close to half-time Craig Cook from dummy half sent in Lindsay for a try and Woodcock added the goal but Batley narrowed the gap to 12-10 with a try from centre Danny Maun.

Playing up the slope it seemed the Eagles faced a tough final 40 minutes but almost straight from the restart Wood squeezed over the touchline from dummy half.

Then Lindsay took over. From acting half-back the Australian passed to second row Trevor Exton somehow got the ball out of the tackle to Mills who seemed to take off as he dived over the try line for his second touchdown.

Mills showed again that given the chance of making the line there are few better wingers in the Championship with the try lifting his tally to seven in 10 games.

A perfect chip kick by Lindsay gave Luke Hardbottle the chance to mark his debut with a nicely timed run and touchdown.

Breaks by Exton and Joe Hirst opened the way for Lindsay to run in for his second try. Woodcock converted all three tries, two with great touchline kicks - putting the game safe.

Batley staged a late rally with tries from Ian Preece, McGilvary’s second, and a last minute penalty to earn a bonus point.

 FACTFILE

Batley: Ian Preece; Jermaine McGilvary, Mark Barlow, Danny Maun, Johnny Campbell; Chris Buttery, Paul Handforth; Byron Smith, Kris Lythe, Anthony Henderson, Kevin Crouthers, Craig Potter, Ashley Lindsay. Subs: Mark Toohey, Nathan Armitage, Jon Simpson, Dave Toothill.

Tries: McGilvary (12, 78), Maun (37), Preece (74).

Goals Handforth: 3/6.

Eagles: Jonny Woodcock; Danny Mills, Menzie Yere, Tangi Ropati, Ashley Thackeray; Brendon Lindsay, Kyle Wood; Jack Howieson, Craig Cook, Mitchell Stringer, Alex Szostak, Peter Green, Joe Hirst. Subs: Luke Hardbottle, Ryan Hepworth Trevor Exton, Michael Haley.

Tries: Mills (18, 43), Lindsay (34, 55), Wood (41), Hardbottle (47).

Goals: Woodcock 5/6.

Referee: Jamie Leahy (Dewsbury).

Penalties: Batley 11, Eagles 8.

Sin binned: Hepworth (Eagles, 24min, obstruction).

Attendance: 730

James Collins The Star

SHEFFIELD EAGLES 46 GATESHEAD THUNDER 30

Sheffield Eagles laid on a feast of tries in a thrilling win over Gateshead Thunder.

The action was fast and furious as the Eagles claimed nine of the game's 15 touchdowns including a hat-trick for veteran centre Damian Gibson.

Some of the defending might have been a touch dodgy but it provided great entertainment for the live Sky Sports cameras at Don Valley stadium.

"We said that we would put a show on and we certainly did," said coach Mark Aston. "There was lots of quality in there. Gateshead scored early and we looked a little bit vulnerable then we got back in the arm wrestle and went totally away from them."

The win lifts the Eagles into fourth place in the Co-operative Championship – for at least 48 hours.

The backs scored the lion's share of the tries but the win was set up by some aggressive play by the forwards.

Starting props Michael Haley and Mitch Stringer were uncompromising and Ryan Hepworth came off the bench to continue the hard graft.

Papua New Guinea international Trevor Exton produced power breaks from loose forward and linked well with half-backs Kyle Wood and Brendon Lindsay.

The Eagles were punished for a sluggish start with centre Paul Franze weaving his way in for a try.

They hit back with a Peter Green break sending centre Gibson squeezing over for the first of a hat-trick of tries. The second came as the 34-year-old followed up a chip kick from Wood. Fullback Jonny Woodcock kicked both goals.

Woodcock had the crowd on their feet as he set up a spectacular try taking a high ball in front of the posts and racing 60 metres before passing to centre Menzie Yere who completed the score. Exton produced a power break before passing to winger Ashley Thackeray who squeezed in by the flag.

Gateshead were conceding too many penalties but blasted back with two quick converted tries.

Hepworth powered his way over under the post to steady the Eagles' nerves and Woodcock's conversion sent the home side in 26-16 ahead.

Franze intercepted Wood's pass and raced 80 metres for his second try soon after the restart to narrow the score to 24-20.

Then the floodgates opened as the Eagles took total control with a three-try burst. Craig Cook and Green set up the first for Lindsay with Woodcock adding the goal. Winger Thackeray grabbed his second try and Gibson claimed his third.

Wood completed the Eagles' try scoring with Woodcock kicking the goal before Youngquest scored his hat-trick try and Neil Thorman went over near the post with Knowles converting Gateshead's late consolation tries.

James Collins

Match Factfile

Eagles: Woodcock; Mills, Yere, Gibson, Thackeray; Lindsay, Wood; Haley, Cook, Stringer, Szostak, Green, Exton. Subs: Ropati, Barlow, Brooks, Hepworth.

Tries: Gibson, 12,19,59, Thackeray 25,56, Yere 22, Hepworth 39, Lindsay 49, Wood 62. Goals: Woodcock 5/9.

Gateshead: Youngquest; McAlpine, Nash, Franze, Peers; Aitkin, Branigan; Watts, Henderson, McBride, Cording, Knowles, Kahler. Subs: Massey, England, Barron, Thorman.

Tries: Franze 2, 43, Youngquest 29, 34,70, Thorman 74. Goals: Knowles 3/6

Referee: Craig Halloran

Attendance: 1,410

Starman: Trevor Exton.

This must be as good as it gets – without winning. Hull Kingston Rovers may be second in the Super League but they were made to look ordinary by a battling Eagles team. At the end of this fifth round Challenge Cup game the Eagles players went over to their travelling fans to shake hands and receive a few well deserved hugs. It was a tribute they had earned by a determined and controlled performance. Rovers may have the flashy big name stars but the Eagles showed how to play the game the simple way – defending well, completing their sets and cutting out the errors.

Mark Aston said: “It was outstanding, the commitment of the boys was great. Hull Kingston was twitching a bit at the end. We put it together for 80 minutes – the lads could walk off the field proud.”

If Rovers were expecting an easy afternoon against a team that hadn’t won in six Championship games the Eagles’ tackling from the first whistle ended that idea. Props Jack Howieson, Ryan Hepworth and Mitch Stringerput in big sets as Aston rotated his front row. Second rowers Alex Szostak and Sam Barlow had massive games with Barlow scoring a try just after half-time that put the Eagles back in the game.

Centre Menzie Yere’s power had Rovers shaken, Brendon Lindsay battled to the final hooter, Jonny Woodcock was back to his best and Kyle Wood produced a sparky spell after coming off the bench.

Rovers took an early lead with a great cross-field passing move that stretched the Eagles back line for centre Jake Webster touchdown. Michael Dobson’s kick from the wide on the right hit a post but bounced over for the extra two points – not a good omen.

Eagles managed to keep the tempo of the game down by some great tackling and came back levelled with Lindsay’s break and a perfect pass for Yere to burst on to –first the centre side-stepped then simply blasted his way through for the touchdown. Woodcock added the goal from wide out.

Szostak, who had been doing the hard graft in defence, produced a 20-metre break to almost set up a second try but Hepworth was just held near the line. With only one prop on the bench Aston was trying to keep his front row fresh with frequent substitutions. Tries from veteran Stanley Gene - one of the few Hull players who played to his reputation – put Rovers back ahead.

For the only time in the game Rovers showed why they are second in the Super league as Ben Fisher and Clint Newton added tries, with goals from Dobson converting Fisher’s effort. That gave the home team a flattering 22-6 lead at half-time.

The script should have been a Rovers’ canter in the second half but Barlow blasted that to pieces as he took a short pass and crashed over the try line just over a minute after the restart. Rovers tried to turn up the heat but were met by some great defensive play that saw tries ruled out for a double movement and a player held up over the line.

It wasn’t going to plan for the home side and their fans were getting restive as the Eagles forced their way into the Rovers’ half and Wood produced a teasing chip kick for Woodcock to run in and touchdown before adding the goal.

Shaun Briscoe hit back with a try from Rovers and the Eagles having lost Aaron Groom then James Roby to injury were down to their last two substitutes.

But again the Eagles hit back as Wood took a short pass then twisted out of tackles before squeezing the ball down for a try. Woodcock added the extras to cut the margin to 28-24. Rovers faced a nervous final 15 minutes before Fisher got his second try three minutes from the hooter.

After the game Rovers’ coach Justin Morgan dodged any comment on the way the Eagles had stretched his said saying only: “It was a poor performance from us (Hull KR). But we get the win. It was very low key and not a lot of intelligence from the team.”

FACTFILE:

Hull KR: Shaun Briscoe; Peter Fox, Kris Welham, Jake Webster, Daniel Fitzhenry; Paul Cooke, Michael Dobson; Scott Wheeldon, Ben Fisher, David Mills, Clinton Newton, Stanley, Chaz I’anson. Subs: Ben Galea, Frankie Mariano, Liam Watts, Jason Netherton.

Scorers: Tries – Fisher (22,77), Webster (6), Gene (19), Newton (32), Briscoe (59). Goals – Dobson 5/6

Eagles: Jonny Woodcock; Damian Gibson, Menzie Yere, Tangi Ropati, Ashley Thackray; Brendon Lindsay, Aaron Groom; Jack Howieson, Matty Brooks, Ryan Hepworth, Alex Szostak, Sam Barlow, Grant Edwards. Subs: Mike Roby, Kyle Wood, Mitchell Stringer, Andy Boothroyd.

Scorers: Tries – Yere(12), Barlow (41), Woodcock (56), Wood (66), Goals –Woodcock 4/4

Referee: T Albert.

Penalties: Hull KR 5, Eagles 5.

Attendance : 4,955

Sheffield Eagles served up another close game at Don Valley Stadium, coming within a kick of ending their four-match losing run in the Co-Operative Championship, coming back from being 22-4 down at defeat to almost sneak a draw, but Woodcock’s missed last second penalty let Widnes off the hook.

Widnes dominated the first half, particularly in the forwards where the pack showed the home side how to control the ball and put the Eagles under immense first half pressure. But the tables turned after the break as the Eagles found their feet and guided by the experienced Brendon Lindsay, produced a comeback that came so close to delivering.

Widnes had centre Toa Kohe-Love and John Duffy back after injury. The Eagles had Fijian World Cup player Aaron Groom in for his first home start with Mike Roby in on the wing and a reshuffled pack. Both teams were guilty of handling mistakes in the opening minutes with Widnes putting on the early pressure.

A break by Roby relived the pressure and the Eagles made the possession count as winger Bolu Fagborun dived on a chip kick for the opening try near the corner flag, five minutes into the came. Woodcock missed the conversion

Groom and Lindsay’s fast handling and testing kicks made the Eagles unrecognisable from the side that had lost their previous three matches.

Widnes were living dangerously Groom and Lindsay put Matthew Whitaker in but the second rower was held up over the line then only scrambled away a kick as Roby desperately tried to touch down.

The Vikings came back and helped by a penalty that gave them a second set produced a sweeping passing move with James Webster and Anthony Thackeray who sent in Richard Varkulis for the try on the fifteen minute mark. Scott Yates added the goal for the lead.

Widnes turned up the heat and helped by a couple of disputed refereeing decisions were pinning the Eagles in their 20 metre zone. The Eagles cracked under the pressure as loose-forward John Duffy celebrated his return to team, burrowing over from dummy-half. Yates added the extras.

With Groom off the field with an injury, Sheffield looked disjointed as Widnes hooker Mark Smith and the combination of Webster and Thackeray built on the platform laid by the dominating forwards.

The quick scoring under the sticks by Webster on the half hour mark, converted by Yates, and Richard Fletcher four minutes later as he finished a chip kick into the in goal area saw the Vikings go in at the break with a comfortable lead.

Sheffield were starting to looked ragged with Groom off the field injured and hooker Mark Smith and the Widnes half-backs building on the forwards control of the ball.

Sam Thompson’s hard running after the restart almost saw him cross for the visitors, but he was kept out and the Eagles began to slowly force their way back into the game.

Strong running by centres Tangi Ropati and Menzie Yere and front rows Jack Howieson and Ryan Hepworth gave the home side something to build on as they sustained pressure on the visitors.

Ropati began the comeback, forcing his way over the line on fifty-eight minutes as he received Grant Edward’s tap from a penalty. Woodcock add the goal and with Groom back on the field, the Eagles clicked up a gear.

Lindsay capitalised on a dropped ball and dived over to score five minutes later, with Woodcock converting, but time seemed to be against the home side.

A nail biting finish was set up after Fagborun burst down field and speedy midfield play saw Groom fire a long looping pas out to Roby who squeezed in next to the corner flag with two minutes to spare. Woodcock missed the pressure kick which would have drawn the game.

The final twist in the tale came as Widnes kicked the ball dead from the kick off and as the hooter sounded, Woodcock elected to go for goal, however Widnes took the win as the kick went wide of the posts.

FACTFILE:

Eagles: Jonny Woodcock, Bolu Fagborun, Menzie Yere, Tangi Ropati, Mike Roby, Brendon Lindsay, Aaron Groom, Jack Howieson, Andy Boothroyd, Ryan Hepworth, Alex Szostak, Matthew Whitaker, Grant Edwards. Subs: Dane McDonald, Kyle Wood, Mitch Stringer, Sam Barlow

Tries: Fagborun (5), Ropati (58), Lindsay (63), Roby (78) Goals: Woodcock 2/5


Vikings: Scott Yates, Dean Gaskell, Toa Kohe-Love, Gavin Dodd, Paddy Flynn, Anthony Thackeray, James Webster, Michael Ostick, Mark Smith, Jim Gannon, Josh Simm, Richard Fletcher, John Duffy, Subs: Loz Wildbore,  Richard Varkulis, Ben Kavanagh, Sam Thompson

Try: Varkulis (15), Duffy (22), Webster (30), Fletcher (34) Goals: Yates 3/4


Referee: Ron Laughton (Barnsley)

Attendance: 1231

Sheffield Eagles conceded 40 points for the second time at Gateshead this season, but while the Northern Rail Cup tie was a heavy defeat this Championship clash went right to the wire. The leg weary Eagles, playing their third game of the week, put in a woeful first half and appeared to be out of the game when they trailed 29-6.

A try in the last minute of the half and the first minute of the second however was the catalyst for a storming fightback that cut the gap to just one point. At that stage Mark Aston's men looked capable of securing a victory but tries from Thunder forwards Michael Knowles and Chris Parker finally saw the home side edge home.

An error strewn first half had ultimately proved costly as bottom club Gateshead recorded their first Co-operative Championship win in a 14 try thriller before the TV cameras. There was no suggestion of what was to come when Aaron Groom ran across field to straighten up and give the Eagles an early lead.

It proved to be a false dawn however as Thunder went on to record an 80% completion rate in the opening half, often handed possession through Sheffield errors. Too often ambitious off loads failed to hit their target and after a knock on and a goal line drop out the scores were tied through Robin Peers' touchdown in the corner.

Another knock on saw the influential Luke Branighan power over in the tackle and then Ben McAlpine outjumped Bolu Fagborun to convert Branighan's high kick to the corner. It was now one way traffic and Gateshead's leading try scorer, Stewart Sanderson, got in on the act with a double inside six minutes.

Sheffield gave themselves a boost in the last minute of the half when Sam Barlow took a Grant Edwards pass to score between the posts from close in.

The Eagles then suddenly realised that they could expose Gateshead's defensive frailties when Tangi Ropati scored twice early in the second half. The first came from 20 metres out and then the Samoan international finished off Jonny Woodcock's 25 metre break from half way. Now Eagles had a spring in their step and Dane McDonald took Edwards' offload to increase the home side's jitters.

A Matty Brooks 40/20 saw Bolu Sagborun power past Knowles and McAlpine to register Sheffield's sixth try and make the score 31-30. But the final quarter saw Thunder finally secure victory and end the Eagles brave comeback.

Aston will be disappointed that Knowles was allowed to crash over from dummy half past a sea of bodies, and then another astute Branighan high kick saw McAlpine gather to send Parker between the posts. Ryan Hepworth claimed Sheffield's final try and only a crucial Neil Thorman tackle on Ropati in the dying seconds prevented a further twist.

 

A MANIC 20-minute spell saw Sheffield Eagles concede nine straight penalties, have two players sent to the sin bin and slide to their second Easter defeat. Eagles had gone in at half-time 10-4 ahead and were playing well although forwards Ged Corcoran and Jack Howieson were out of the game with concussion. But from the re-start the penalties began to mount and first Ryan Hepworth on 47 minutes followed by Mitch Stringer three minutes later were shown yellow cards.

That took the Eagles down to 11 men on the field and even some desperate defending could not keep the Rovers out. Gavin Brown came in at hooker for his first game for 15 months and added control and direction. The first half gave few hints of the mayhem that was to follow as the Eagles played with composure and a steely defence.

Danger man Menzie Yere produced an early weaving run to set up the position for Eagles first try. Kyle Wood and Tangi Ropati took the ball on and winger Ashley Thackeray forced his way in near the touchline for an unconverted try.

Featherstone came back with a try from former Scotland ruby union winger Jon Steel. The Eagles suffered a double setback when as within minutes Corcoran and Howieson went down in doubtful tackles and would take no further part in the game. Two minutes from the break stand-off Brendon Lindsay produced a classy dummy and delayed pass for prop Hepworth to blast through the cover for a try.  Jonny Woodcock added the goal for 10-4 lead at half-time.

The composure that had marked the Eagles' play in the first 40 minutes deserted them from the restart. The penalties mounted and Hepworth, for a high tackle, followed by Stringer, for holding down in the tackle, headed for the sin bin.

Against a side that included former GB star half-back Iestyn Harris it was like sending a suicide note. Andy Kain's try and Start Dickens conversion plus a penalty put Rovers ahead. As the sin bin time ran out the Eagles drew level with a 35-metre penalty from Woodcock but Dickens restored Rovers lead with his side's penalty number 13.

Harris's kick to the corner set up a try for Andy Kirk that with Dickens conversion sealed the game.
 

Doncaster staged a smash and grab raid to beat Sheffield Eagles in the South Yorkshire derby at Don Valley. It wasn't a classic but there was nail-biting drama on offer with a drop goal five minutes from time by Paul Handforth snatching the win - their first in the Championship - in front of the Sky TV cameras.

Papua New Guinea centre Menzie Yere blasted his way to a hat-trick of tries but the Eagles as a team failed to perform.

Loose-forward Kyle Briggs was outstanding and the Doncaster forwards refused to let the Eagles pack take control.

"We didn't perform - we didn't turn up at the races," said a downcast coach Mark Aston. "We didn't touch the ball for 15 minutes. I'm very disappointed. Our discipline was indifferent and we gave some dumb penalties away. We got beaten by an enthusiastic, committed team and we didn't know how to beat them."

A frantic opening four minutes saw Doncaster race into a 12-0 lead with the Eagles barely getting a touch of the ball. From the game's first play loose-forward Kyle Briggs' chip kick bounced off Damian Gibson's chest and back in the arms of winger Gaz Carey, who touched down. Briggs added the goal. Doncaster's second try came when scrum-half Handforth took former Eagles' hooker Craig Cook's pass and raced in under the posts. Briggs again added the goal. Following a grapple tackle Briggs increased the lead to 14-0.

The try the Eagles desperately needed came when stand-off Brendon Lindsay's chip to the corner was touched down by Yere. Jonny Woodcock added the goal from the touchline. The Eagles brought on Fijian international half-back Aaron Groom from the bench for his debut and the Fijian, Lindsay and Woodcock produced a passing move that sent Yere in for his second try and at the break the Eagles had cut the deficit to 14-10.

The Eagles went ahead when from Lindsay's pass Groom twisted over the line by the posts. Woodcock added the goal. But Mark Castle forced his way over the try line and Briggs added the goal to restore Doncaster's lead. Instantly the Eagles hit back with Yere taking Lindsay's long pass to complete his hat-trick of tries. Woodcock added the goal for a two point lead.

Doncaster levelled the scores on 66 minutes when an obstruction gifted Briggs an easy penalty. Going into the final minutes Handford for Doncaster and Kyle Wood for Sheffield attempted to drop goals - then came Handforth's successful kick.

With two minutes to go Tangi Roparti seemed to scoot in for a try but the touchdown was ruled out by the video ref for ball stealing. With time running away the Eagles, strangely, didn't try to set up a draw-saving drop goal position and the hooter sounded their defeat.


SHEFFIELD: Jonny Woodcock, Damian Gibson, Menzie Yere, Tangi Ropati, Ashley Thackeray, Brendon Lindsay, Kyle Wood, Jack Howieson, Matty Brooks, Mitch Stringer, Alex Szostak, Ged Corcoran, Dane McDonald. Subs: Aaron Groom, Sam Barlow, Matt Whitaker, Ryan Hepworth.

Tries: Yere (18, 32, 51) Groom (43) Goals: Woodcock 3/4


DONCASTER: Andreas Bauer, Gaz Carey, Ryan Steen, Luke May, Wayne Reittie, Josh Weeden, Paul Handforth, Mark Castle, Craig Cook, Matt Carbett, Peter Green, Ross Divorty, Kyle Briggs. Subs: Al Rounding, Jake Bassinder, Nathan Freer, Jamie Bovill

Tries: Carey (1), Handforth (3), Castle (46) Goals: Briggs 5/5 Field Goal: Handforth (76)

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)

Attendance: 1209

SHEFFIELD Eagles produced a great late-late show to beat Dewsbury Rams in the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup. They had to battle back from 18-8 down before turning on the style and the power to end the Rams seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions this season. On hard stats the Eagles scored six tries to two for Dewsbury. Eagles' Jonny Woodcock had a rare off night with the boot on his return from injury and the Rams points total was boosted by four penalties and a goal.

Scrum-half Kyle Wood – who is under pressure following the arrival of Fijian international Aaron Groom at Don Valley – was in lively form and scored an important try. Groom watched from the stands and is set to make his debut in the South Yorkshire derby against Doncaster on Thursday night.

Eagles' coach Mark Aston felt his side had earned the win by solid hard work. He said: "You can put it down to perseverance – credit to Dewsbury they hadn't lost a game and you can see why. We are in the next round of the cup. We learned tonight how to grind out a win."

The Rams took an early lead with a penalty, for a high tackle, kicked in front of the goal by Patrick Walker. When the Eagles did get out of their half they made the possession pay with Alex Szostak, Dane McDonald and Tangi Ropati in the move that ended with winger Ashley Thackeray stretching out to touch down near the corner.

Walker's second penalty levelled the scores and Bretherton followed up his own chip kick to touchdown for a try. Walker added the two points for the goal and a further two from a penalty. The Eagles needed points on the board and Wood produced a telling break before passing to McDonald who ran through a gap to score the try.

Dewsbury led 8-12 at the break and went further ahead when winger Bryn Powell collected a Brendon Lindsay chip and raced 70 metres to the try line. Walker's fourth penalty of the night put the Rams 18-8 ahead.

Then it was all change as the Eagles started to control the ball. Woodcock took a pass from Wood before dummying and slipping in for a try on 58 minutes. The fullback's conversion agonisingly hit a post. Five minutes later Lindsay provided the pass and hooker Matty Brooks dived over the line near the post for a try. Woodcock's conversion put the scores level at 18-18. The Eagles went ahead when Wood twisted through a couple of attempted tackles before touching down and Woodcock kicked the goal. Yere started a break that included Lindsay and Matty Brooks before the Papua New Guinea centre scored the try that made the game safe five minutes from time.


Factfile:

SHEFFIELD: Jonny Woodcock, Damian Gibson, Menzie Yere, Tangi Ropati, Ashley Thackeray; Brendon Lindsay, Kyle Wood; Jack Howieson, Matty Brooks, Mitch Stringer, Alex Szostak, Ged Corcoran, Dane McDonald Subs: Andy Boothroyd, Sam Barlow, Tommy Trayler, Ryan Hepworth.

Tries: Thackeray (18) McDonald (33) Woodcock (58) Brooks (63) Wood (70) Yere (73) Goals: Woodcock 2/6

DEWSBURY: Lee Lingard, Bryn Powell, Chris Spurr, Alex Bretherton, Austin Buchanan,  Patrick Walker, Liam Finn, Keegan Hirst, Mike Emmett, Adam Robinson, Rob Spicer, Andy Bostock, Adam Hayes Subs: James Walker, Liam Crawley, Jimmy Elston, Ryan Smith

Try: Bretherton (24) Powell (49) Goals: Walker 5/6

Referee:R Hicks

Attendance: 597

A LOSING ‘bonus’ point was scant reward for a pulsating performance by an Eagles side tha is looking more effective with ever game. They gave the full-timers of Widnes Vikings a massive scare before losing to a flurry of second-half tries. The Eagles had to battle against some baffling refereeing decisions that handed possession to the Vikings in crucial areas of the field and at critical times. Coach Mark Aston was angered by the 10-3 penalty count. He believes a penalty soon after half-time produced the try that put Widnes on a roll.

“That looked a fair tackle to me – never a penalty but they went on to score,” he said. “Was it a dirty game? Was it a messy game? Were we that dirty and them squeaky clean, that’s what I would question?”

On the positive side Aston can look back on a continued improvement from his side.  Mike Roby who came in at fullback for the injured Jonny Woodcock was cool in defence as Widnes targeted him and was always ready to come into the line. Half-backs Brendon Lindsay and Kyle Wood made great use of possession and were far crisper in their handling and passing than the Widnes half-backs. In the centres Menzie Yere produced a string of bone-crunching tackles and Tangi Roparti always looked capable of busting the Widnes line with his breaks. In the forwards Alex Szostak had a big game and Mitch Stringer was strong and produced a cameo performance as stand-in goal kicker.

In spite of his rib injury Ged Corcoran started the game and put in some strong sets and Tommy Trayler returned after injury. Sam Barlow came off the bench and reminded a few of his former Viking team mates of his strength. Matty Brooks and Andy Boothroyd had busy sets and continue to contest the hooking role.

The Eagles survived a rush of early doubtful penalties against them that helped keep Widnes in their 20-metre zone. The defence - helped by some poor Widnes handling – held and the forwards took the game into the home half. Determined play by Roby in following up his chip kick forced a fumble and a second set of six tackles for the Eagles but they needed only one play as Brendon Lindsay collected the ball and sent in centre Tangi Ropati for the opening try with an inside pass. Stringer added the goal.

Widnes hit back with Scott Yates being held up over the line but within a minute the fullback had touchdown in the corner but couldn’t add the two points. Lindsay set up and scored the Eagles’ second try with a chip kick that was fumbled by Yates and the stand-off nipped in to collected the ball and drop over the line. Lindsay couldn’t match Stringer and failed with the goal attempt.

Lindsay started the move that put the Eagles further ahead with a bomb kick that Ropati passed out to Ashley Thackeray, the winger was held but got the ball inside and in the scramble that followed second rower Alex Szostak grabbed the touchdown. Stringer back on the field added the goal. A minute from the break Widnes hit back with a try from Paddy Flynn in the corner on the right. At halftime the Eagles led 16-8.

Widnes dominated possession in the early part of the second half helped by a rising penalty count. Second row Lee Doran got a critical early try. Flynn claimed his second and hooker Mark Smith grabbed a double with Dodd kicking two goals as the Eagles suddenly looked weary.

The half-time lead had turned into a 28-16 deficit and the bonus point looked set to be blown away. But the Eagles showed their character and determined tackling put a stop to try-rush. The forwards steadied and started to get possession although too often the Eagles were having to kick on the fourth or final tackle from well inside their half.

The consolation bonus point was made safe a minute from the hooter when Wood was put through by Lindsay and the scrum-half darted through a gap to touchdown. This time Stringer couldn’t add the goal.

Factfile:

WIDNES: Scott Yates; Paddy Flyn, Richard Varkulis, Shane Grady, Dean Gaskell; Anthony Thackeray, James Webster; Michael Ostick, Mark Smith, Jim Gannon, Lee Doran, Josh Smith, John Duffy. Subs: Loz Wildbore, Gavin Dodd, Ben Kavanagh, Sam Thompson.

Tries: Smith (57, 64), Flynn (39, 55), Doran 44. Goals: Dodd 2/4,Yates 0/2.


SHEFFIELD: Mike Roby; Damian Gibson, Menzie Yere, Tangi Ropati, Ashley Thackeray; Brendon Lindsay, Kyle Wood; Jack Howieson, Matty Brooks, Mitch Stringer, Alex Szostak, Ged Corcoran, Tommy Trayler. Subs: Grant Edwards, Andy Boothroyd, Sam Barlow, Ryan Hepworth.

Tries: Ropati (15), Lindsay (28), Szoatak (33), Wood (79). Goals: Stringer 2/3,Lindsay 0/1.


Referee: J Child

Attendance: 3,181.

A last minute try by winger Ashley Thackeray gave Sheffield Eagles a dramatic win over Toulouse Olympique - and their first victory in the Co-Operative Championship.

The Eagles had led for for most of the first half but fell behind midway through the second half.

Toulouse who joined the British leagues this season were playing their  first ever home game in the Co-operative Champion. The French side looked totally different proposition at home that they had during two defeat in England in the past weeks, one of which included a Carnegie Challenge Cup defeat at the hands of today's visitors from Sheffield.

For the Eagles it was a massive test after a slow start to the season. Prop Mitchell Stringer got the Eagles off to flying start when he touched down after five minutes and Johnny Woodcock converted before adding a penalty moments later to put the Eagles 8-0 up.

But the French battled back urged on by a great local support. A try from Bruno Ormeno and a pair of goals from Nathan Wynn brought Toulouse level. Fullback Woodcock and Austraian half-back Wynn then traded further penalties as the teams went into the break at 10-10. Wynn then kicked his fourth goal to put Toulouse ahead for the first time
after 54 minutes.

Woodcock brought the scores level five minutes later before Thackeray's late score, converted by Brendon Lindsay gave the Eagles the three points.

Factfile:

Toulouse: Bromley, Pelo, Planas, Couturier, Ormeno, Villegas, N Wynn, Worth, Gay, Griffi, T Wynn, Maria, Houles. Subs: Faure, Barthau, Almarcha, Viala

Tries: Ormeno (13). Goals: N Wynn 4/4


Sheffield: Woodcock, Gibson, Yere, Ropati, Thackeray, Lindsay, Wood, Howieson, Brooks, Stringer, Szostak, Corcoran, Barlow. Subs: Roby, Boothroyd, Hepworth, Murtza.

Tries: Stringer (4), Thackeray (80). Goals: Woodcock 4/4, Lindsay 1/1


Referee: Ron Laughton

Attendance: 1923

SHEFFIELD Eagles suffered the agony of battling back against Leigh only to lose to a field goal with two minutes left on the clock. The destroyer was the Centurions Martyn Ridyard, who calmly put over the one-pointer to snatch the win in the opening round of the Co-operative Championship. It was rough justice as earlier the young stand-off had helped put Eagles back in the game when his wild pass was intercepted by Tangi Ropati for a break-back try.

Eagles had to settle for a losing bonus point and coach Mark Aston admitted that but for some poor defending they could have had all three.

"It was an exciting game but we should have put them to bed," he said. "There was a lot of commitment and effort but we let in some soft tries. If you keep failing to complete you put yourself under pressure and get fatigued and make poor decisions. We got sloppy and let in some soft tries."

Eagles made a spectacular opening to the game with a sweeping passing move involving Jack Howieson, Brendon Lindsay, Jonny Woodcock and Menzie Yere sending in winger Damian Gibson at the corner for his third try in three games. The lead didn't last as the Eagles' defence went to sleep and allowed centre Adam Higson to make a diagonal run to touchdown. Ian Mort added the goal.

Eagles centres Yere and Ropati had strong games but the forwards struggled at times. Eagles levelled the score with a penalty from Woodcock after the ball was ripped out in the tackle.

Again Eagles defence let them down when three minutes from half-time Ridyard found a massive gap waiting and made a 20-metre break before passing to Stuart Donlan who touched down under the posts. Mort added the goal for a 12-6 lead.

Eagles levelled the score soon after the restart when Samoan international centre Ropati intercepted Ridyard's pass and ran 80 metres for the touchdown under the posts. Woodcock added the goal. Leigh seemed to have the game won at 22-12 with tries from Steve Maden and a second for Higson plus a goal by Mort.

But Eagles refused to lie down and stand-off Lindsay showed grim determination as he set up the fightback. The stand-off almost sent Mike Roby through but the centre was tackled and from the play the ball first receiver prop Mitch Stringer blasted through the Leigh line to touchdown. Woodcock added the goal from in front of the posts to reach 700 points for the club.

With five minutes it was level at 22-22 a swift passing move by Lindsay and Wood ending with Ropati taking two Leigh players with him over the try line. Woodcock couldn't make it 702 points and then came the killer field goal.

Factfile:

Sheffield: Woodcock, Gibson, Yere, Ropati, Thackeray, Lindsay, Wood, Howieson, Brooks, Stringer, Szostak, Corcoran, McDonald. Subs: Roby, Edwards, Barlow, Buckenham.

Tries: Gibson (2), Ropati (46, 75), Stringer (61). Goals: Woodcock 3/5

Leigh: Donlan, Maden, Higson, Reay, Mort, Ridyard, Watson, Hobson, McConnell, Morrison, Haggarty, Taylor, Rourke. Subs: Stewart, Durbin, Meekin, Hill

Tries: Higson (6, 57), Donlan (37), Maden (51). Goals: Mort 3/4. Field Goals: Ridyard (78)

Referee: Dave Merrick

Attendance:1220

SHEFFIELD Eagles took the best top French side Toulouse had to offer before stepping up a gear to win this Carnegie Challenge Cup third round game. Olympique will argue that the sending off of their Australian Martin Mitchell early in the second half was the turning point. But the Eagles had already levelled the scores at 6-6 and looked to be in control after a cautious first half.

Eagles coach Mark Aston said: "It was a good win we looked a little bit hesitant and lacking confidence in the first half. But defensively we looked strong and that was what we needed after last week’s game against Halifax.”

Toulouse - who make their debut in the UK Championship this week - looked like a side that hadn’t played a game this year and is trying to integrate four new Australian signings. They gave away too many penalties and turned the ball over too often. That gave the Eagles the chance to put recent poor displays behind them.

Most of the first half matched the dourness of the weather - which switched from a hailstorm to finish in bright sunshine - as both sides struggled to gain control. Half-backs Brendon Lindsay and Kyle Wood - who had his best games since joining from Doncaster - were looking sharp for the Eagles.

Toulouse substitute forward Oliver Pramil was shown a yellow card for an incident at a tackle. The Eagles failed to take advantage and Toulouse scrum-half Nathan Wynn’s long ball eventually found Damien Couturier and the centre went in for the first try. Wynn added the goal.

Toulouse held the lead until half-time but after the break as the sun started to come out the Eagles looked more positive and soon wiped out the deficit. Substitute forward Sam Barlow powered over the touchline from first receiver with Jonny Woodcock adding the goal.

Toulouse’s hooker Mitchell was shown a red card for a spear tackle on Wood after 47 minutes. The tackle was followed by a punch-up and Eagles forward Ryan Hepworth was sin binned for retaliation.

Lindsay’s opportunism with a run from the back of the scrum produced the key try to put the Eagles ahead. Woodcock added the goal. The Eagles were controlling the ball and Matty Brooks’ pass sent in winger Damian Gibson for his second try in two games. Woodcock’s kick hit the post and failed to go over.

But Woodcock - who had a great all round game - finished the scoring with a break from dummy half to touchdown and then added the goal.

Factfile:

Sheffield: Woodcock, Gibson, Yere, Ropati, Thackeray, Lindsay, Wood, Howieson, Brooks, Stringer, Szostak, Corcoran, McDonald. Subs: Roby, Buckenham, Hepworth, Barlow

Tries: Barlow (44), Lindsay (50), Gibson (57), Woodcock (67). Goals: Woodcock 3/4.


Toulouse: Villegas, Payan, Planas, Couturier, Canton, Delgal, N Wynn, Worth, Mitchell, Griffi, T Wynn, Anselme, Houles. Subs: Marla, Pramill, Viala, Falure.

Tries: Couturier (29). Goals: N Wynn 1/1

Referee: Jamie Leahy

Attendance: 1,554

SHEFFIELD Eagles Rail Cup hopes hit the buffers thanks to some woeful defending against Halifax. Eagles were hit by an express flurry of tries late in the first half and were then always on the ropes as Halifax ran in 10 touchdowns.

Eagles' boss Mark Aston must be glad that the league season is still two weeks away. He said: "I'm very disappointed - for 25 minutes we were in an arm wrestle and we competed - it was 6-6 but for the last 15 minutes of the first half we started giving penalties away, went sloppy and they scored the tries. Halifax are looking impressive but we have to do better than that - we have to know how to control and contain them. But we didn't do that, when they put their foot on the gas we struggled."

It was a first return to Don Valley for Rob Worrincy following the winger's acrimonious move to Halifax. Worrincy, who was booed by a section of the Sheffield crowd, was tested with a couple of high kicks but put in some trade-mark weaving runs and had the last laugh with a try just before half-time. Fax took the lead after six minutes when Sean Penkywicz raced in from 20 metres through a static Eagles' line. James Haley added the goal.

Eagles levelled the score when Brendon Lindsay took on the line and although the stand-off was held fullback Jonny Woodcock dived from acting half-back and then added the goal.

Halifax brought on all four subs and the game changed as they stepped up the pressure and Eagles handed over possession with a series of penalties. Worrincy intercepted a pass to go on a weaving run that led to substitute Said Tamghart blasting over the line. Haley added the goal. Penkywicz claimed his second try followed by Tamghart's second Haley added both goals. A minute before the break Worrincy squeezed in for a try by the corner to give Halifax a 28-6 lead.

Sheffield hit back from the restart with Lindsay's break, then kick and chase spreading confusion in the Halifax defenders with ex-Halifax winger Damian Gibson, making his debut, just beating the half-back to the touchdown. Woodcock added the goal.

Trialist forward Sam Barlow got the Eagles only other score late in the game with Woodcock adding the goal. Second rower Alex Szostak battled hard but it was a lost cause. Tries for Bob Beswick, Lee Patterson and two for Haley came as Halifax turned the screw right to the final minute.


Factfile:


SHEFFIELD: Jonny Woodcock; Damian Gibson, Menzie Yere, Tangi Ropati, Ashley Thackeray; Brendon Lindsay, Matty Brook; Jack Howieson, Grant Edwards, Ged Corcoran, Alex Szostak, Sam Barlow, Dane McDonald. Subs: Kyle Wood, Ryan Hepworth, James Morrow, Matt Whitaker.

Tries: : Woodcock, (13), Gibson (4), Barlow (67). Goals: Woodcock 3/3

HALIFAX: Miles Greenwood; Lee Patterson, Shad Royston, James Haley, Rob Worrincy; Mick Govin, Ben Black; Neil Cherryholme, Sean Penkywicz, Dana Wilson, Mark Roberts, Paul Smith, Bob Beswick. Subs: Dwayne Barker, Mark Gleeson, Said Tamghart; Frank Watene.

Tries: Penkywicz (6, 30), Tamghart (25, 34), Worrincy (39), Beswick (47), Royston (51), Haley (55, 74), Patterson (79). Goals: Haley 4/8, Govin 1/2

Referee: M Dawber (Wigan).

Attendance: 1,065.

MARK Aston, the Sheffield Eagles coach, was a face in the crowd at Boundary Park last Wednesday night when Oldham thumped derby rivals Rochdale Hornets 54-4. He clearly did his homework on the bang-in-form second division side while preparing Eagles for a Northern Rail Cup battle they had to win at all costs if they were to retain their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals from Pool One. Defensively, he knew that an Eagles side that had conceded 44 points last time out at Gateshead had to improve beyond recognition to achieve its goal, and that's exactly what they did in keeping Oldham try-less for nearly an hour.

"We have been looking for that performance for a while," said the Eagles boss. "We were still a bit rusty but our defence was outstanding. We had worked hard all week on that, and it paid off, especially after what happened at Gateshead. Oldham came back at us - they're a good side and they were always going to do that --but we kept our composure. This was a win based on defence, and that's the pleasing thing after we had worked so hard last week on that aspect of our game."

Eagles were industrious and well organised with pacy-looking centre Tangi Ropati enjoying a pleasing debut that promised much for what lies ahead, and former Oldham men Matty Brooks and Ged Corcoran answering the call of duty to set a magnificent lead on their old stomping ground.

Aston felt prop Corcoran was "outstanding" in the battle of the big men up front, while the diminutive Brooks, the smallest man on the field, was "definitely at his best" while probing around the rucks. Eagles also owed much to another fine game by full-back Johnny Woodcock, who struck a magnificent seven goals from as many attempts and scored the try just after half-time that stretched his side's lead to 12-2.

Andy Boothroyd scored the only try of a dour first-half before Eagles went out to 20-2 with early second-half tries by Woodcock and Brendon Lindsay. As defences tired, Oldham rocked Eagles with three tries in five minutes by Paul O'Connor, the abrasive Jamie I'Anson and Andy Ballard and then had a try disallowed by a touchjudge for a forward pass -- a real let-off this for the visitors at a time when the Roughyeds were looking good.

Creditably, Eagles didn't panic and they put the game to bed with late tries by Grant Edwards and Brooks before the impressive I'Anson scored his second Oldham try just before the hooter to salvage a thoroughly deserved bonus point for the home side.



Factfile:

Roughyeds: O'Connor, Ballard, Haliwell, St Hilaire, Greenwood, Roden, Coyle, Highton, Joseph, I'Anson, Baines, Allen, Roberts. Subs: Reilly, Sykes, Boults, Kerr

Tries: O'Connor (55), I'Anson (58, 80), Ballard (61). Goals: Ballard 3/5

Eagles: Woodcock, Thackeray, Ropati, Yere, Fagborun, Lindsay, Brooks, Stringer, Edwards, Corcoran, Szostak, Trayler, McDonald. Subs: Boothroyd, Wood, Turnbull, Barlow

Tries:Boothroyd (25), Woodcock (44), McDonald (53), Edwards (75), Brooks (78). Goals: Woodcock 7/7

Referee: Greg Dolan

Attendance: 1173

Starman: Jonny Woodcock

Sheffield Eagles were left to lick their wounds after a second half collapse saw them slip to a heavy 44-18 Northern Rail Cup defeat at Gateshead Thunder yesterday. Only six points separated the two sides at half-time but the Thunder pack and playmakers ruled the roost after the break as the Eagles were penned back. On the plus side prop Ryan Hepworth scored a brace of tries and Grant Edwards also crossed, but Mark Aston's side were second best in the second 40 minutes.

"After a good opening 15 minutes we were outbattled and outrun," said Aston "we didn't give Gateshead enough respect and I have no complaints with the result. Thunder upped their performance after their defeat at Keighley in midweek. Andrew Henderson was outstanding at hooker and the difference between the two sides. Sometimes you've got to hold your hands up and admit you were beaten by a better side. The Oldham game is now massive but I'm not too disheartened as it's early days and there's a long way to go."

The Eagles soared briefly with half backs Brendon Lindsay and Kyle Wood prominent, and it was a quick play-the-ball by Edwards that put Hepworth through a gap early on.

Joe Arundel replied but Aston's men were back in front when Edwards dived over after a great break from Mike Roby only for Dylan Nash to twice expose Sheffield's left side defence. Trailing 18-12 at the half way stage the Eagles were very much in the game, but last year's National League Two champions Gateshead pulled away in the second half.

All time record try scorer Kevin Neighbour delighted a bumper four figure crowd, bolstered by a free tickets promotion, with Thunder's fourth try. Australian second rower Nash then completed his hat-trick following a scrum near the Sheffield line before Hepworth's second of the afternoon gave the visitors hope.

A good set saw Edwards short pass put Hepworth over and Jonny Woodcock tagged on the easy extras to cut the deficit to ten points.

But that was as good as it got for the Eagles who finished the game a dispirited bunch after Gateshead ran in three more tries in the final quarter. Two tries in two minutes on the hour sealed Sheffield's feat with playmaker Luke Branighan marking his home debut with a try as he powered over the line. Neighbour then slipped an inside ball for supporting winger Stewart Sanderson to cross in the corner and then the long serving Robin Peers completed the scoring late on.

Factfile:

Thunder: McAlpine, Peers, Neighbour, Arundel, Sanderson, Thorman, Branighan, Parker, Henderson, McBride, Nash, Cording, Knowles. Subs: Vernon, Clarke, Walker, Scott

Tries: Arundel (7), Nash (20,31,51), Neighbour (44), Branighan (61), Sanderson (63), Peers (76). Goals: Branighan 6.

Eagles: Woodock, Fagborun, Yere, Roby, Thackeray, Lindsay, Wood, Howieson, Edwards, Hepworth, Szostak, Trayler, McDonald. Subs: Murtza, Stringer, Turnbull, Whitaker

Tries: Hepworth (3, 56), Edwards (13). Goals: Woodock 3

Referee: Matthew Thomason

Attendance: 1226

Starman: Dylan Nash

THE Eagles kicked off their season in winning fashion as they put the skids under Hunslet Hawks with a second half avalanche of tries in a game that almost fell victim to the plunging temperatures. Referee Jamie Leahy delayed the half-time restart as he examined areas of the Don Valley pitch that seemed to be freezing. But with the backing of both clubs he played on and the Eagles powered to a win in the opening Northern Rail Cup game of the season.

Coach Mark Aston: “We had six new players out there and we can be satisfied with that performance – for the majority of the game we were strong. At half-time we told the officials we wanted to play on and credit to the lads they battled on and didn’t moan.”

Two much revamped squads played out a tentative first quarter with few clear chances of a try for either side. The Eagles took the lead with a stroke of good fortune when a kick by Hunslet’s Richard Chapman hit one of his own players and bounced back for Matty Brooks to pick up and have a clear run for the try. Jonny Woodcock added the goal.

The Eagles were looking the stronger with a number of cross-field passing moves in which half-back Brendon Lindsay and Brooks took control. Lindsay provided the final pass for second row Alex Szostak to score a try with Woodcock adding the goal.

The Australian stand-off was again on hand to provide the pass that sent in Mike Roby for the Eagles’ third try.

Hunslet hit back six minutes before the break with Chris Redfearn’s weaving run confused the Eagles’ defence for Nathan Larvin to cross the touchline with Chapman adding the goal.

Hunslet scored first after the delayed restart when, following a knock-on, winger Michael Mark went in near the corner.

Then the Eagles turned up the heat following the sin binning of Hunslet’s Joe Howey for a late tackle. Brooks from acting half-back dived over for his second try and Lindsay produced the opportunist try of the night by collecting his own chip before touching down. Woodcock added the goals. Hooker Andy Boothroyd marked a hard-working display with a try and prop Jack Howieson blasted over under the posts for a try converted by Woodcock.

Hunslet had to be content with a late score from Steve Brooks following a spell of confusion in the Eagles defence. Mark McKinley added the goal.

FACTFILE

Sheffield: Woodcock; Fagborun, Whitaker, Mike Roby, Thackeray; Lindsay, Brooks; Howieson, Boothroyd, Stringer, Szostak, Corcoran, McDonald. Subs: Murtza, Wood, Hepworth, Barlow.

Tries: Brooks 19, 54; Szostak 23; Roby 30; Lindsay 61; Boothroyd 67; Howieson 70. Goals: Woodcock 5.

Hunslet: Larvin; Childs, Brown, Faal, Mark; Moxon, Firm; Book, Chapman, Slain, Howey, Hart, McKinley. Subs: Watson, Walkin, Wabo, Redfearn.

Tries: Larvn 34; Mark 43; Brook 78. Goals: Chapman 1 McKinley 1

Referee: Jamie Leahy (Dewsbury).

Yellow card: Howey (Hunslet) 49 mins – late tackle.

Attendance 555

Starman: Brendon Lindsay.