Eagles Women triumph over Vikings

29/06/2023

Sheffield Eagles Women welcomed Widnes Vikings to the OLP for the first time in what was expected to be an unpredictable encounter, and so it proved.

From the start the Eagles made it to the Widnes 40m. On the fifth play a pass that hit the ground bounced up kindly into the hands of Bramley who shot down the right wing to score in the 1st minute 7m in from touch. Conversion unsuccessful, score 4-0.

Regrettably the handling bug of previous weeks struck again with a knock-on at the first play-the-ball. A scrum on the Eagles 20m and Widnes were nearly over the try line on the fifth play thanks to a break by the speedy Widnes no.7, who proved troublesome all game. A last ditch tackle stopped that, but not the quick shift left which found a Widnes edge forward who burst over to score in the 6th minute 10m in from touch. Conversion unsuccessful, score 4-4.

However the Eagles were quick to respond. From the restart a thumping tackle forced a stoppage on the fourth tackle. On resumption Widnes knocked-on 21m out gifting the ball to Arnold, who wasted no time in progressing play to 15m out. With a retreating and disorganised defence a quick play-the-ball found its way into the hands of acting half back Wood whose irrepressible eye for an opportunity translated into a swerve around the back of the ruck, a fend and a touchdown in the 10th minute under the posts. Coates converted, score 10-4.

From the restart Arnold took the ball from deep to the 40m. The ball was worked left and on the third play a face pass from scrum half Palmer found winger Judd, who burst through the scrambling defence, rounded the full back and touched down in the 13th minute under the posts. Again Coates converted, score 16-4.

Widnes then did themselves no favours by failing to kick the restart 10m and then concede more ground for a high tackle. The Eagles worked the ball left again but this time winger Judd was forced into touch by the cover defence. From the handover the Eagles trapped Widnes inside their own 20m zone fielding the kick 45m out, only for a handling error to squander the opportunity out left on the 4th play. On resumption from the scrum the Eagles trapped Widnes in their own half again before fielding the kick the kick on their own 30m. Moving swiftly up field, yet another attack was launched on the left edge but the Widnes defence proved equal to the task and bundled the winger into touch.

Yet more defensive pressure kept Widnes in their own half with Eagles getting the ball back 5m from halfway, unfortunately giving it back a play later with a knock-on attempting to strike down that left edge again. From the scrum Widnes threw a wayward pass out on a left shift which Bramley snapped up to race away and score in the 25th minute 10m in from the right touch line. Conversion unsuccessful, score 20-4.

A couple of sets later after some some stout defensive work constraining Widnes in there own half, the Eagles found themselves 30m out centre field. Time to have a go at that left edge again and this time it worked. A classically beautiful shift of six passes on the run found Judd on the left wing, who once more raced away to touch down the 31st minute 5m in. Conversion unsuccessful, score 24-4.

The Eagles continued to maintain their territorial dominance for the remainder of the half but couldn’t quite muster enough quality attack play to score again in very hot conditions.

Half-time: Sheffield Eagles Women 24 – 4 Widnes Vikings

The second half began with much better go forward from Widnes but a return to sinning by the Eagles. Eventually after defending multiple sets in front of their own line the pressure told on the Eagles, and a clever reverse play back to the ruck found the defence wanting with the Widnes no.8 bursting over in the 48th minute at the left side of the posts. Converted for 24-10.

The Eagles then seemed determined to continue inviting Widnes back into the game with four successive errors that brought Widnes scrum possession 20m out from the Eagles line. A first tackle 8m out followed, then a pass right to the half back who dropped the ball off to the Widnes no.12 on a disguised wraparound run to storm over in the 58th minute 10m to the right of the posts. Converted for 24-16.

A water break then followed which seemed to stiffen the Eagles’ resolve from the kick restart onwards. The Eagles pinned Widnes in their own half for 2 successive sets, then on their own second set won a penalty in front of the posts. The legendary Dobson demanded the ball from the tap and plunged over in the 64th minute 10m to the right of the posts. Score 28-16.

The Eagles then contrived to let Widnes have another go by conceding a penalty for a high tackle just inside their own half, but this time the Eagles managed to bring the Widnes foray to a halt 10m out. Strong runs from Thomas and Bramley moved the Eagles 50m up field, with a penalty for a high tackle granting another set of six. Strong drives ensued from Arnold and Saunders advancing the side up to the Widnes 10m. A quick play-the-ball and Wood scooted for the posts, a trademark step and over in the 72nd minute for the try, converted by Coates for 34-16.

Yet again the Eagles were not content to manage possession conceding two penalties in succession from the kick restart and finding themselves soon after stood on their own 10m line. To their credit Widnes did not waste the opportunity, working the ball on their centre right for their no.12 to find a way over on the sixth in the 78th minute 15m to the right of the posts. Conversion missed leaving the final score of the game at 34-20.

Full-time: Sheffield Eagles Women 34 – 20 Widnes Vikings

Tries:- Bramley (2), Judd(2), Wood (2), Dobson
Goals: Coates (3 conversions)

The most pleasing feature was the continued tenacity of the Eagles defence penning their opponents in their own half for long periods. The return of second rower Simone Saunders after a long serious injury was a major bonus, proving a handful even on her first game back.

Sponsors’ player of the match went to the Eagles second rower Beth Arnold playing at open side prop with an 80 minute performance in attack and defence.

The coaches’ player award went to Tori Thomas for her usual full blooded display, whilst the captain’s vote went to Phoebe Bramley for an all round contribution of two tries, excellent tackling and long evasive runs.

Report by Barry Wood