12-man Eagles conquer Raiders

09/07/2023

Sheffield Eagles got back to winning ways with a 36-18 victory over Barrow Raiders at the Olympic Legacy Park.

Anthony Thackeray and Jesse Sene-Lefao starred for an Eagles side who played just over 50 minutes with 12 men following the red card of Vila Halafihi for a high tackle on Charlie Emslie.

Thackeray and Sene-Lefao bagged a brace each with the Eagles captain, and scrum-half, registering try number 250 and 251 of his illustrious career.

Sheffield opened the scoring on three minutes when Joel Farrell crashed over from close range. Cory Aston couldn’t convert.

Barrow answered back with Ryan Johnston getting over the whitewash, ably assisted by a great offload from Shane Toal. Ryan Shaw, similarly to Aston, couldn’t strike the ball through the sticks.

The topsy-turvy contest continued with the Eagles regaining their lead courtesy of Matty Dawson-Jones. Full-back QLT provided a superb cut-out ball for the former Super League winger, who is having a sublime debut season in Red and Gold. Aston wide with his second conversion attempt of the day.

Controversy came on 27 minutes. Halafihi’s shot on Emslie - albeit high - not looking too drastic to the naked eye but the referee - the one who matters - giving a red card. Sheffield behind the eight-ball and just two points in front following Shaw’s penalty goal.

Half-time - Sheffield Eagles 8-6 Barrow Raiders

To a neutral tuning in for the second half only, you would have thought the numerical advantage was in the hosts’ favour as Sheffield hit the gas.

Thackeray and Sene-Lefao with tries on 43 and 47 minutes respectively, Aston converting the latter, to give the Eagles a 12-point buffer.

It was 12 vs 12 for ten minutes when Luke Broadbent was sent to the sin-bin for dissent after Sheffield won a penalty for an infringement at the ruck. The next set, Sene-Lefao rising highest to claim a Thackeray kick and pretty much seal victory.

Ross Oakes was next on the scoresheet, dabbing down a grubber to bring up the 30-point mark for the Eagles. Aston converted both Oakes and Sene-Lefao’s efforts.

Barrow didn’t give up the ghost, they were still giving it a go and got two tries for their worries. Greg Burke and Luke Cresswell both notching for the Cumbrians, Shaw converting both and reducing the arrears to 12.

But the final word went to Thackeray. Ben Jones-Bishop sent for a run down the wing, he had James Glover and Thackeray to choose from and the latter received the pass to complete his brace. Aston added the extras after the hooter had sounded.

Full-time - Sheffield Eagles 36-18 Barrow Raiders