Eagles Women avenge pre-season loss to Hull

09/05/2023

Sheffield Eagles Women travelled away this weekend to face a tough encounter against Hull at the University of Hull Sports Centre, having lost narrowly to them in the pre-season friendly.

The Eagles started strongly and camped for the first 2 minutes in the Hull red zone, eventually forcing an error to recover possession.

After a busy Palmer had shifted the defence from side to side, a quick 3rd play found Green who weaved back on the grain to touch down at the left of the posts, subsequently converting her own try. Score 0-6.

The next 20 minutes progressed as an even contest with each side moving the ball about, gaining ground but occasionally squandering the set with a poor pass.

Eventually Hull broke through on the Eagles right edge forcing them back into their 10m zone. More pressure and Hull scored next to the posts, converted for 6-6.

Five minutes later and the Eagles invited Hull back into their own 20m zone with a knock-on on the first tackle after a turnover. From the scrum Hull attacked the Eagles right defence again.

On the 5th tackle the pressure told again with the Eagle defence being slow to move up conceding a try 2m in from the right touch line. Conversion unsuccessful for 10-6.

The remainder of the half played out with the sides going set for set without score.

Half-time: Hull Women 10 – 6 Sheffield Eagles Women

After 5 minutes of the Eagles being camped in the Hull half, the Eagles repeated the error of the first half. After regaining possession from a last tackle kick into touch, the Eagles knocked-on on first tackle again.

Pressure again on the Eagles right edge but this time the attack was successfully repelled and the Eagles returned deep into the Hull half trapping them there for an extended period.

Eventually a well executed play of 3 long passes to the right found Tiffin who forced her way over close to the flag, but the conversion was unsuccessful. Score 10-10.

On the restart the Eagles knocked-on again inviting Hull to have another go.

Much better defensive communication and organisation saved the day with Fisher intercepting a wide play to begin the march back up field deep into the Hull half, and the Eagles stayed there for the next 7 minutes.

After winning a scrum in front the Hull posts, the ball was shifted left. On the next play Green yet again her displayed her usual wrong-footing skill, cutting back behind the ruck to cross 20m left of the posts to put the Eagles in the lead at 10-14, being unable to convert her own try.

From that point the Eagles managed to keep Hull in their own half for the rest of the game, apart from a Hull kick down field where the Eagles yet again knocked-on inviting Hull to attack, only for them to hand possession back to the Eagles at the first play off the scrum.

Full-time: Hull Women 10 – 14 Sheffield Eagles Women

Tries:- Green (2), Tiffin (1) Goals: Green (1 conversion)

Given that the Eagles were missing some key players, it was a bit of a mixed bag in places with 4 different players taking a spell at dummy half. Nonetheless it was a spirited, no surrender display from all the team.

Woman of the Match for the Eagles went to front rower Katie England, whose line breaks up field repeatedly relieved the pressure on the Eagles.

Special mention this week must also go to scrum half and captain Sarah Palmer whose organising and tireless work rate on both sides of the field proved crucial to the win. A definite captain’s knock and a consistent performer every week.

Sian Judd proved worthy of her debut – a woman rapid of foot, a pass like a rocket and ferocious in defence.

By Barry Wood