Hornets stung by silky Sheffield
25/07/2023
Rochdale Hornets 34 – 60 Sheffield Eagles
Sunday 23rd July, 2.30pm
Rochdale Leisure Centre
Betfred Wheelchair Championship
Sheffield Eagles Wheelchair team completed a double over Rochdale Hornets in the Betfred Wheelchair Championship on Sunday, keeping them in the hunt for third place in the Championship with one fixture to go vs Wigan Warriors A in September.
It was a dream start for the Eagles as Will Brooks touched down in the corner, completing the Eagles first set perfectly, although the conversion was a stretch too far for Vicky Brooks. The Eagles struck again shortly afterwards as Stephen Reilly found his way through a gap, adding the extras himself, before Will Brooks added his second, again converted by Reilly.
Rochdale caught Sheffield napping at the restart, with Scotland international Martin Dougan finding his way into the corner, with Kyran Holt adding the extras, but it proved to be the wake up call the red and gold needed, with the rest of the second half belonging to the Eagles. Reilly went in off a David Butler offload shortly before Chris Haynes bust his way through, although neither were converted. It was Reilly again with a double around the half the hour mark, both converted to take the half time score to 36-6.
Dougan crossed again after half time, although Holt missed the conversion, to kick off a patch which saw the Eagles relax a little. April Brooks weaved her way through to the corner for a great solo try which went unconverted, but the Hornets hit back as Holt scored and converted his and Jake Brinksman’s try as the hosts fought back.
Will Brooks completed his hat-trick with a superb inside line with a pass from his Mum Vicky that was straight off the training park and kept the Eagles scoreboard ticking over, despite another score from Holt wedged in-between.
Will Brooks added his fourth, converted by Reilly, to put the game beyond doubt. Butler spotted an opportunity of slow retreaters to take a short ball at the line to add his name to the score sheet, Reilly adding the extras.
The final word when to Greg Bramwell who added a late consolation for the Hornets, Holt converting, but it only served to narrow the margin to 26 points and the Eagles celebrated a well deserved away win.
Rochdale Hornets
Kyran Holt, Martin Dougan, Wes Groot, Jake Brinksman, Greg Bramwell. Interchanges: Angela Holt, Finlay Hird, Gavin Dobson.
Tries: Martin Dougan (17, 44), Kyran Holt (57, 67), Jake Brinksman (19), Greg Bramwell (80)
Goals: Kyran Holt 5/6
Sheffield Eagles
David Butler, Chris Haynes, Stephen Reilly, Vicky Brooks, Will Brooks. Interchanges: April Brooks, Jack Johnson, Joe Wink-Simmonds, Lottie Davis-Browne, Stacey Roulson.
Tries: Will Brooks (2, 15, 62, 75), Stephen Reilly (6, 24, 33, 41), Chris Haynes (26, 31, April Brooks (48), David Butler (78)
Goals: Vicky Brooks 0/2, Stephen Reilly, 6/10
Referees: Karli Wilkinson / Kim Abel
