Great day for Wheelchair RL as Eagles and Rhinos face off
13/06/2023
Sheffield Eagles 24 – 30 Leeds Rhinos A
Sunday 11th June 12.45pm KO, Forge Valley School
Friendly Game
Sheffield Eagles welcomed Leeds Rhinos A for a development fixture at Forge Valley, with a view to ensuring the both clubs’ large membership get exposure to game time before, in the Eagles case both of their teams return to competitive action later this month and it was mission accomplished for both sides, with both sides serving up what turned out to be a nip and tuck affair, with Will Brooks the star of the show, the youngster bagging himself a hat-trick, much to the delight of both sides, including several England internationals in attendance.
It was Brooks who got the Eagles underway after just four minutes, carving through the middle of the field, giving Shaun Orton an easy shot on goal. Orton found himself in space ten minutes later to touch down in the corner but his conversion didn’t have the distance.
Leeds struck back with Charlie Wagstaff stretching out to score, unable to convert, before Finley Butler added his name to the scoresheet shortly afterwards giving Wagstaff a kickable conversion. Leeds went through a purple patch on the half hour mark as Joel Dyer bagged two tries and managed to convert Rich Stott’s try, all scored within four minutes of each other to give the visitors a 10-24 half time lead.
Brooks showed his skills in the second half, recorded two scores in the first twenty, the latter of which converted by Ian Pride, before fellow youngster Chris Brown found his way to the line, Pride missing the kick, to level the scores.
With both sides slugging it out, Stott managed to break the line again and Steve Bosworth added the extras and as the fledgling Eagles threw everything including the kitchen sink that they had at the Rhinos, they were unable to draw level before the final whistle came.
The Eagles return to competitive action next weekend with a Betfred Championship Fixture vs Rochdale Hornets on Saturday 17th June (1.30pm) followed by a North League fixture for the A team vs York City Knights (3.15pm) – both games taking place at the English Institute Of Sport’s Basketball Arena.
Sheffield Eagles
April Brooks, Will Brooks, Shaun Orton, Lottie Davis-Browne, Jack Johnson. Interchanges: Lisa Kelly-Pride, Julie Fimusanmi, Stacey Roulson, Christopher Brown, Ian Pride
Tries: Will Brooks (4, 53, 59), Shaun Orton (14), Chris Brown (61)
Goals: Shaun Orton 1/2, Will Brooks 0/1, Ian Pride 1/2
Leeds Rhinos A
Cam Harper, Charlie Wagstaff, Alan Taylor, Ben Coleman, David Mitchell. Interchanges: Dawn Lennox, Di Caley, Finley Butler, Harrison Butler, Joel Dyer, Jon Exley, Racheal Lowe, Rich Scott, Steve Bosworth, Phil Hartley.
Tries: Charlie Wagstaff (17), Finley Butler (28), Joel Dyer (31, 33), Rich Scott (35, 69)
Goals: Charlie Wagstaff 1/2, Joel Dyer 1/3, Steve Bosworth 1/1
Referees: Richard Turner / Grant Jackson
