Eagles trounce Trinity
03/05/2023
Sheffield Eagles Women travelled away to face a struggling Wakefield side at the Be Well Support Stadium (Trinity’s Belle Vue).
After a scruffy first 2 minutes from both sides, the game settled into an almost metronomic pattern of the Eagles posting tries every few minutes. First up was dummy half Wood with her usual alacrity at spotting wayward ruck defenders, a feat she repeated regularly throughout the game. Green converted, score 0-6.
Second up was winger Thomas chasing hard over 40m to touch down a cross field kick wide out on the right, the try unconverted for 0-10.
Having worked the ball up to 45m out on last tackle, a skilful shift left from half back Palmer to centre Fisher produced a break down the left edge with Fisher wrong footing defenders and scoring to the left of the posts for the conversion to be ably popped over by Green, score 0-16.
Next up after strong drives by Green, Arnold and Johnstone, a shift right, a draw and a pass and Martinus crossed for the 4th try, again converted by Green, score 0-22.
Having been gifted the ball on half way, the Eagles moved the ball up to 10m out. A high tackle and another set. One drive and this time the focus in training paid dividends. A smart heads up shift left with an excellent final pass from Palmer to Fisher enabled her to round the defence to cross for the 5th try, again converted by Green, score 0-22.
From the restart the Eagles headed up to 42m out. Yet again Wood showed her class catching the out the ruck defence, making 15m to find prop Arnold backing up strongly on the inside. She rounded the remaining defence on the left to finish a 50m run to score left of the posts, again converted by Green for 0-34.
Next up was yet another devastating run from Arnold taking the ball 30m up to 10m out sending the defence into disarray. Who else but Wood on the money again, straight from the play the ball to score at the side of the posts for the 7th try. Converted by Green for 0-40.
From the restart the ball was moved up to 30m out. A two pass play to the right and centre Evans broke though to score under the posts for the 8th try. An easy conversion for Green, score 0-46.
After a bit of to and fro the Eagles won a scrum 20m out on the right. A ball out the back from Palmer and full back Tiffin made an evasive run way out left for the final try of the half. A difficult conversion missed.
Half-time: Wakefield Women 0 – 50 Sheffield Eagles Women
And now the rain came down and the opposition rallied. Stalemate, errors and injuries ensued for 16 minutes until Green received the ball from Wood 40m out. Off she went on a weaving run down the middle evading all-comers to touch down under the posts, converting her own try for 0-56.
5 minutes later, 5m out and the opposition still hadn’t learnt their lesson about dummy half Wood. Straight around the ruck untouched to score the 11th try, converted yet again by Green for 0-62.
Another 5 minutes later and Green spots a gap down the centre and races 60m to score under the posts, converting for 0-68.
4 minutes later and Wood 45m out yet again spots lazy defence behind the ruck, scoots, offloads out of the tackle to an impressive array of forwards and backs backing up on the right. Firstly to props Sayles who in turn offloads to Arnold, who finally offloads 12m out to full back Tiffin to cross and bring the ball around under the posts, converted by Green for 0-74.
6 minutes later and 20m out in front of the posts. Good shape, the ball shifted out left accurately at pace and Fisher carries the defender over the line to score in the corner, conversion missed. Score 0-78.
3 minutes on and Arnold makes another barnstormer from 58m out making 30m up field. The 2nd play later and Wood is off again ripping through the defence to score the final try of the game on the right 20m in from the touch line. Conversion missed.
Full-time: Wakefield Women 0 – 82 Sheffield Eagles Women
Tries:- Wood (4), Fisher (3), Tiffin (2), Green (2), Thomas(1), Arnold (1), Martinus (1), Evans (1)
Goals: Green (11 conversions)
Although not particularly tested in defence, it was pleasing to see that the training focus on shape and heads up play is coming to fruition.
Woman of the match for the Eagles went to second rower Danie Green for her strong defence and powerful and evasive running, scoring 2 tries and 11 conversions for a personal tally of 30 points.
Mention must also go to Agnes Wood. Not only were her runs from dummy half frequently devastating, but also her distribution was consistently accurate and her defence lethal, no matter how big and strong the opponent.
By Barry Wood
