Eagles Wheelchair Red side reach Championship Grand Final
01/10/2024
Sheffield Eagles 48 – 38 North Wales Crusaders | Championship Playoff Semi-Final - Saturday 28th September, 11.45AM Kick Off, EIS Sheffield
Sheffield Eagles' Wheelchair Rugby League team booked their first Championship Grand Final appearance with their first win in three seasons over North Wales Crusaders, denying the visitor’s right to defend their title on Saturday
The Eagles will meet Gravesend Dynamite who dispatched with Hereford Harriers in their semi-final on Sunday 13th October, 2.30pm Kick Off at the University Of Hull.
In front of a bumper crowd, the Eagles turned it on in style to finally get have the upper hand over the team they first met in competitive action in 2022. But they were made to fight for the full 80 minutes, with Crusaders Jonathan Gill getting across the line just four minutes into the game, with Martin Turner converting to put the visitors in front.
The Eagles hit back, with Ben Simpson going in in the left hand corner, converting his own try, shortly before Stephen Reilly powered his way over to move the Eagles ahead, though Simpson couldn’t add the extras.
Joe Wink-Simmonds scored shortly after entering the fray, adding the conversion to stretch the Eagles’ lead, but it was soon replied to by Matthew Turner who bust through from short range. The kick was missed, but Martin Turner was on target to convert Stuart Williams’ try which found the Eagles defence all at sea as the second half came to a close, with the scores tied at 16-16.
Crusaders started the second half like a house on fire, with Matthew Turner and Gill scoring in quick succession, although Martin Turner could not improve with the conversions. Although thigs looked ominous for the Eagles, the home side were clearly still in the game as Reilly pounced on a loose ball in the in-goal to score straight from the kick-off, with Wink-Simmonds adding the extras.
Will Brooks showed his muscle as he found space out wide shortly afterwards, but failed to add the extras to give the Eagles a greater cushion.
Reilly completed his hat-trick shortly afterwards, with Wink-Simmonds following him in and converting both to build the Eagles confidence as they slowly started to grind out the game.
Crusaders talisman Harry Jones worked his way over the try line for a well deserved score which he also converted, before Chris Haynes hit back. Wink-Simmonds couldn’t find his mark with the kick and missed shortly afterwards as Reilly powered through with 17 minutes remaining to post the Eagles final score.
A late rally from the visitors came from Martin Turner and Matthew Turner in the dying minutes, but with Jones unable to convert and the Eagles locking down the defence for the final minutes, it was the Eagles who were celebrating victory.
Sheffield Eagles
Stephen Reilly, Chris Haynes, Will Brooks, Vicky Brooks, Ben Simpson. Interchanges: David Butler, Joe Wink-Simmonds, April Brooks (not used), James Birchnall (not used), Jenny Pearson (not used)
Tries: Ben Simpson (13), Stephen Reilly (18, 46, 51, 63), Joe Wink-Simmonds (27, 55), Will Brooks (47), Chris Haynes (61)
Goals: Ben Simpson 1/2, Joe Wink-Simmonds 4/6, Will Brooks 0/1
North Wales Crusaders
Stuart Williams, Mason Baker, Jonathan Gill, Martin Turner, Matthew Turner. Interchanges: Harry Jones, Wyatt Jones (not used), Jess Booth (not used), Fionn McCabe (not used).
Tries: Jonathan Gill (4, 44), Matthew Turner (33, 42, 78), Stuart Williams (37), Harry Jones (58), Martin Turner (67)
Goals: Martin Turner 2/5, Harry Jones 1/3
Referees: Jake Brook / Karli Wilkinson
Half Time: 16-16
Sheffield Eagles A 24 – 44 North Wales Crusaders A - Saturday 28th September, 1.45PM Kick Off, EIS Sheffield
After the action of the semi-final taking place previously, the Eagles and Crusaders A teams locked horns in a friendly which proved to be exciting and demonstrate some talent on both sides.
Things were even early on as the sides traded scores, with Baz Grayson and Andy Clare scoring for the Eagles early on but the Crusaders lead at the break thanks to a Fionn McCabe brace and tries from Wyatt Jones and Jess Booth.
The second half saw McCabe add three more to her tally, with Catherine Bamford also crossing for the visitors, but the Eagles kept it respectable with Martin Turner, James Birchnall, Shuan Orton and Stuart Wilkinson all adding tries in a late flurry to make it 22-44 final score.
Sheffield Eagles A
April Brooks, Chris Brown, Jack Johnson, Baz Grayson, Stuart Wilkinson. Interchanges: Shaun Orton, Ben Wilson, Julie Fimusanmi, Matt Davis, Martin Turner, Andy Clare, James Birchnall, Jenny Pearson
Tries: Baz Grayson (11), Andy Clare (20), Martin Turner (60), James Birchnall (72), Shaun Orton (76), Stuart Wilkinson (79)
Goals: Baz Grayson 0/1, Ben Wilson 0/1, Jack Johnson 1/1, Andy Clare 0/2, Shaun Orton 0/1
North Wales Crusaders A
Wyatt Jones, Jess Booth, Fionn McCabe, Ethan Neilson, Daniel Jones. Interchanges: Sophie Bamford, Claire Owlett, Matthew Turner, Catherine Bamford
Tries: Wyatt Jones (9), Fionn McCabe (17, 22, 42, 51, 66), Jess Booth (28) Catherine Bamford (74)
Goals: Wyatt Jones 2/3, Jess Booth 0/2, Martin Turner 2/2, Catherine Bamford 1/1
Referees: Harry Jones / Karl Sheppard
Half Time: 8-20
