Eagles Women semi-final bound after Methley victory
20/06/2023
Sheffield Eagles Women travelled away this weekend to face League One but unknown opponent Methley Warriors Ladies in this League Cup clash.
From the off it seemed that this was going to be a hard fought affair and so it proved with both sides testing the other’s middles and edges, and in turn responding with strong defence.
However after Methley forced the Eagles into a goal line drop after a long drive up field, Methley failed to prevent Dobson’s drop out from bouncing into touch handing possession to the Eagles 32m out from their own goal line.
After only making another 20m in four plays, fast passes across the middle of the field through the hands of Palmer and Dobson with double decoys opened a hole. Into it went full back Tiffin executing an arcing run to race 50m and touch down 10m to the right of the posts in the 6th minute, Green converting for a 0-6 lead.
Unfortunately the next play knocked on the kick restart which set the pattern for the rest of the first half, with both sides committing a multiplicity of errors sometimes forced but mostly unforced.
In consequence the invitations to the other side to attack were going to cost eventually, the Eagles being the first to crack in the 12th minute. Under pressure in their own red zone, a right foot step from a Methley attacker forced a missed tackle centre field 10m out from the Eagles try line allowing a stroll in under the posts, converted to equalise things at 6-6.
The next 20 minutes saw each side trading blows and errors until eventually the Eagles were awarded a 7 tackle set from a kick dead. In 6 plays they advanced from their 20m to Methley’s 10m centre field. A well-judged cross field kick by Palmer out left into the Methley in goal area found Green in hot pursuit to catch and score 10m in from touch in the 32nd minute, converting too to lift the score to 6-12.
However this advantage was not to last long. The kick restart was allowed to bounce into touch handing possession to Methley, which they did not waste. From the handover Methley worked the right side and on the fourth play their centre tempted the Eagles left edge to come in leaving an easy run in for the Methley winger from the pass in the 36th minute. Converted from the touchline for 12-12.
Half-time: Methley Warriors Ladies 12 – 12 Sheffield Eagles Women
The first 5 minutes continued in much the same vein as the first half, until during sustained pressure on the Eagles try line Dobson showed her class intercepting a pass to race away 30m up field. On the fourth play later Palmer and Dobson with long shifts to the right found Green coming back on the inside to storm from half way around the full back and plant the ball down under the posts in the 46th minute, also converting it to restore a six point lead of 12-18.
Apart from injury stoppages inevitable given some of the punishing contact, the remainder of the second half delivered much continuity and flow. However neither side was able to overcome the other’s resolute defence and the game played out without further score..
Full-time: Methley Warriors Ladies 12 – 18 Sheffield Eagles Women
Tries:- Tiffin, Green (2) Goals: Green (3 conversions)
In conclusion a tense and enthralling contest due to the intensity of the defences, with the Eagles demonstrating a quantum improvement in performance in that area of play compared to recent weeks. Unremitting effort from everyone and a joy to behold!
Coaches’ player of the match for the Eagles went to Sinead Fleming, the captain’s choice was Ellie Tiffin, and the opposition’s choice was Andrea Dobson.
Report by Barry Wood
