Eagles Women show fighting spirit in final game of the Season

18/09/2023

Sheffield Eagles Women team travelled to Stanningley for the final league fixture of the season  buoyed by the win against Hull KR, but nonetheless aware of being under strength with the unfortunate unavailability of Butler, Sayles and Saunders.  Irrespective of that there was still a fighting chance of avenging the losses at home early in the season in the league and mid-season in the cup.

The early minutes of the first half began with both sides exhibiting strong defence but also trading unforced errors.  And then disaster struck for the Eagles when captain and scrum-half Palmer collapsed with a shout and a game ending leg joint injury whilst adjusting her footwork in defence and not in contact with anyone.  The Stanningley attack was nonetheless repelled with the Eagles regaining possession shortly after, working play up field close to the Stanningley try line.  Another six tackles was granted via a penalty only to be squandered on second tackle with a lost ball.  Further Eagles errors then followed which enabled Stanningley to execute in effect a 14 tackle set before making their own error. A scrum to the Eagles on their 20m line, one tackle and an error in the play the ball then handed possession straight back to the opposition.  On play three from the scrum the ball was worked to the Stanningley right for their no.21 to cross in the 12th minute 6m in from the right corner flag.  Converted by no.19 Wainwright-Morley for a 6-0 home lead.

The kick restart elicited a handling error and scrum possession to the Eagles on the Stanningley 10m line. An immediate attack down the right touch line was made, but alas a dummy half error blew the opportunity handing possession straight back to Stanningley.  The Eagles then made a good job of restricting the Stanningley set to their own 40m line, but then hesitation and indecision followed fielding the down field kick from Wainwright-Morley.  Stanningley loose forward Exley stepped in between to seize the ball, offload it to the supporting no.11 J.Davies who raced onwards to score just to the right of the posts for an easy conversion by Wainwright-Morley to make the score 12-0.

Whatever was said in the Eagles huddle, it seemed to make an immediate difference.  Stanningley mis-fielded the kick restart granting the Eagles a scrum on the Stanningley 20m line.  A mazy run from Green brought play close to the try line, a settler from Arnold even closer. A short shift right found England who blasted a way over in the 21st minute 10m in from the right corner flag. The conversion was missed for a score of 12-4, but the Stanningley full back incurred a sin-binning which was to prove costly over the next ten minutes.

The Eagles fielded the kick restart successfully and immediately went on the attack.  Play four found Arnold who streaked 20m up field and with three defenders hanging off, managing to offload to the supporting Wood 37m out. Only one outcome could follow especially with a missing full back. Wood’s footwork and pace left the defence trailing and a score at the side of the right post in the 25th minute, easily converted by Green for 12-10.

Good play from the restart took the Eagles deep into the Stanningley half but they conceded a 20m restart from the last tackle kick.  Stanningley made it back to half way but then brain explosions with complaints to the referee conceded two penalties in succession giving the Eagles a full set 10m in from the right touch line 30m out from the opposition’s try line.  Two drives down the right moved play on.  A wide shift left found Parker who dodged a way through the defenders offloading to Stevens in turn finding Green, who wrong footed the covering defence to cross in the 30th minute 10m to the left of the posts, converting her own try for a 12-16 lead.

Half-time: Stanningley 12 – 16 Sheffield Eagles Women

A close first half, maybe the Eagles could achieve a victory?  At first it seemed so from the kick off.  Third tackle brought Eagles play to 5m beyond half way.  A shift left found full back Judd in the line who jinked and swerved a way past the opposing full back to race on and touch down by the left of posts in the 41st minute.  An easy conversion for Green and a 12-22 lead for the Eagles.

Yet that was as good as is got from then on. Eagles conceded a penalty for offside which put them back on their own 20m line.  Stanningley wasted no time in moving the Eagles defence about leaving it threadbare in the middle. From the tackle 5m in from touch on the Stanningley right, three passes left found the full back in open space and a walk-in under the posts in the 46th minute.  Easily converted by Wainwright-Morley to narrow the score to 18-22. 

Play then became frequently disrupted by injury stoppages one of which took Eagles right winger Milton out for the rest of the game whilst tackling the opposition winger into touch.  From then on things became worse for the Eagles. Eagles errors and penalty concessions did not abate, and the superior rugby league craft and game sense of the Stanningley players took advantage and never let go for the remainder of the game.

A bombed try for a forward pass denied Stanningley a walk-in on their left, but a ball steal and a penalty for offside gave them the advantage straight back. This time the opportunity was not wasted. Stanningley moved the Eagles about with plays to the right followed by a long left passing move that found the Stanningley full back, who crossed in the 58th minute 7m in from their left corner flag.  Conversion missed to level the scores at 22-22.

Further play brought a second try for back rower J.Davies who crossed in the 62nd minute 10m to the left of the posts, converted by Wainwright-Morley to take the lead 28-22.  Another nail was driven in 4 minutes later. A long pass from half back Wainwright-Morley cut out three players dropping into the hands of the left winger T.Davies who evaded the defence out left in the 66th minute, cutting back to improve the angle for the conversion, duly taken by Wainwright-Morley for a 34-22 lead.

The final nail arrived five minutes later with a penalty conceded for a high tackle in front the posts, pooped over by Wainwright-Morley in the 71st minute for an unassailable lead of 36-22.

To their credit the Eagles did not give up but all Stanningley had to do was defend it out which they duly did.

Full-time: Stanningley 36  – 22 Sheffield Eagles Women

Eagles Tries:- England, Wood, Green, Judd              Conversions: England, Green (2)

The coaches’ player award went to Phoebe Evans, and the captain’s vote to Holly Milton.

Yes a disappointing loss but a fifth place finish.  In nine meetings with the top four sides, the Eagles lost eight of them (7 league and 1 cup), but often not by much and they finished way ahead of the trailing pack.   It has to be understood that the top four Championship teams consist of multiple players with years of rugby league playing experience through the junior ranks, whereas the Eagles do not have that advantage. However slowly but surely the Eagles players are getting there.  A close season to come and with it the opportunity to give the players the individual attention needed to improve technique and game sense. Reasons to be cheerful and optimistic. Can’t wait for next season.  Can you?   

The club would like to Thank Barrie Wood for all his support this season with match reports for our Women’s Team.  It is greatly appreciated!!

We look forwad to reading next years match reports!