Eagles Women surrender to Oulton second half surge

10/07/2023

A still weakened Sheffield Eagles Women team welcomed Oulton Raidettes to the OLP for the first time in what was expected to be an encounter as challenging as the away fixture some weeks ago.

The first period saw an even affair with the sides going set for set and with neither side being able to exert much pressure in the opposition’s half. 

However, in the 14th minute, Oulton spotted a 5 on 3 opportunity on their left 45m out from the Eagles try line. A well-executed shift with an inside decoy created a gap for the left centre who managed to offload out of the tackle to the winger now 30m out with just a covering defender to beat. A change of angle, an arcing run, and it was clear air for a try under the posts. Converted for a score of 0-6.

The next ten minutes belonged to the visitors repeatedly trying to apply similar medicine down the left attacking the Eagles right edge defence. Combinations of defensive pressure, good scramble and errors from the visitors denied Oulton another score. Then the tide turned for the next period with the hosts managing to exert repeated pressure in the opposition’s half, yet unable to exhibit enough decision making skill to capitalise.

All was not lost, though.  Robust defence forced Oulton to kick on the last from their 20m line, Eagles retrieving the ball on halfway. From the play-the-ball it was shifted swiftly to the right edge into the hands of Judd who blitzed a path down the touch line around Oulton’s left edge to plant the ball down under the posts in the 34th minute. Converted to level the score at 6-6.

The remainder of the half then played out with neither side able to get on top.

Half-time: Sheffield Eagles Women 6 – 6 Oulton Raidettes

From the restart on receiving the ball, Oulton put Sheffield under pressure with a long down field last tackle kick, which forced the Eagles to work the ball out from their in-goal area.  Ambitious play out to the right found progress up the wing but inexperience surrendered the ball on halfway.  More pressure from Oulton with the ball worked out to the left, leading to a tackle a foot from the goal line. And then the price of defensive inexperience was paid with the Oulton full back diving and twisting over to score in the 43rd minute 6m in from touch. An impressive conversion pushing out the score to 6-12.

From the restart the two sides went set for set, but then the Eagles conceded a penalty for offside on their 40m. In four plays Oulton found themselves 5m out on their right.  A mix up in role responsibilities created a staggered defensive line and a hole which the Oulton half back gratefully exploited to go over under the posts in the 51st minute, converted for a 6-18 lead.

Straight from the restart Oulton piled on more pressure with a last tackle kick that took a wicked bounce, enabling the chasers to force the Eagle’s left winger into touch and granting Oulton a handover and repeat set 10m out from the Eagles try line. On moving the ball back to centre field the Oulton no.10 on second play found some weak middle defence and crashed over under the posts in the 55th minute, converted for 6-24.

Yet the Eagles to their credit never gave up. On numerous occasions there seemed a possibility of evening up the score, but it was a case of shortcomings in decision making in attack, Oulton’s organised defensive line speed, and the long kicking prowess of the Oulton no.6 on last tackle that frustrated that outcome for the rest of the match.

Full-time: Sheffield Eagles Women 6 – 24 Oulton Raidettes

Tries:- Judd     

Goals: Thomas (1 conversion)

Yes a loss, but a loss to probably the best team in the division with the injury hit Eagles fielding what on paper seemed another under strength side in recent weeks.

In consequence it has enabled players who are usually inhabitants of the subs bench to grow in confidence and shine, and shine they have, fomenting a culture of competition for places.  Add to that the most impressive feature of the Eagles display - the huge improvement in ball handling with far few errors compared to previous weeks.  Reasons to be very optimistic about the future.

Without doubt the sponsor’s choice of Sian Judd as player of the match was justified. This writer’s choice too. Sian’s work rate in defence coupled with her speed and evasiveness in attack provided outstanding entertainment. Tubbs is unquestionably a definite fan.

The coaches’ player award went deservedly to Sophie Anderton, and the captain’s vote to Becca Bosworth.