Eagles provide Toulouse trouncing

25/03/2023

Sheffield Eagles bounced back from their defeat to Bradford Bulls with a magnificent 32-4 victory against Toulouse Olympique at the Olympic Legacy Park.

Doing the damage in the first half with five tries, three of which were converted, the Eagles led 26-0 at the interval.

Sheffield got on the board after four minutes as Jesse Sene-Lefao continued his stellar form in Red and Gold with yet another try. Cory Aston tagged on the extras.

At the halfway mark of the first period, Vila Halafihi sniped over from dummy-half after throwing a fake that caught Toulouse unawares. Aston converted.

Back-to-back scores from Anthony Thackeray and Ben Jones-Bishop put the hosts firmly in the driving seat. Kris Welham assisted Thackeray’s effort with a mammoth break from inside his own half, before Jason Bass’ went on a rampage down the left flank for BJB’s try. Cory kicked one from two.

Bass was on the scoresheet himself with four minutes remaining until the break. Aston picked the winger out with a cut-out ball and the former York man strolled in. The stand-off couldn’t convert but a superb first half performance laid the foundations for the victory.

Half-time - Sheffield Eagles 26-0 Toulouse Olympique

Olympique got themselves on the board just shy of the hour mark courtesy of centre Mattheiu Jussaume. Jake Shorrocks missed a rather easy-looking conversion, perfectly summing up the French side’s day.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Oliver Roberts capped off a great afternoon for the Eagles with his first try in Red and Gold. Surrounded by three defenders, Roberts kept moving and was able to barge his way to the line. Aston goaled.

A great day at the office may be an understatement.

Full-time - Sheffield Eagles 32-4 Toulouse Olympique

By Dan Fowler, photo by Jake Borrill