Match Report | Bradford Bulls Wheelchair 4-72 Sheffield Eagles Wheelchair
21/05/2024
By David Butler | Images by Steve Bitcliffe
Sheffield Eagles' opening game of the 2024 BetFred Championship East went very much the way of the Eagles as they powered past a Bradford Bulls side that in the past has provided far sterner opposition, but is now struggling due to changes in dual registration rules in the league.
Nonetheless, the home-grown Bulls got the scoring off the mark as Darren Walker got himself out of the blocks in the first two minutes but was unable to convert, questioning the Eagles’ favourites tag.
But it was one way traffic from that point as the Eagles demonstrated their year-on-year improvement with a clinical display that not only kept the Bulls at bay, but ran up a large score.
Stephen Reilly and Chris Haynes led the way, with Reilly scoring 7 tries, and Haynes scoring 4 during the game.
Youngster April Brooks added a well-timed try in the first half, as brother Will managed to touch down either side of the half time to whistle to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Joe Wink-Simmonds’ off-season kicking practice yielded 6 attempts from 8 with the boot, whilst Will Brooks posted 2 further conversions.
The result puts the Eagles top of the league with a gap until their next Championship East game when they face Wakefield Trinity on Saturday 22nd June following by Hull Kingston Rovers the week after on 29th June. The club’s Gold Team will face York City Knights A on Saturday 25th in York as part of the England Futures weekend.
Bradford Bulls
Scott Pyrah, Sam Stebbings, Richard Wright, Isabelle Wright, Darren Walker. Interchanges: David Gregson, Jon Bairstow, Charlie Wanlass, Michael Potter
Tries: Darren Walker (2)
Goals: Darren Walker 0/1
Sheffield Eagles
Chris Haynes, Stephen Reilly, Vicky Brooks, Joe Wink-Simmonds, Jenny Pearson. Interchanges: James Birchnall, April Brooks, Will Brooks, Shaun Orton.
Tries: Stephen Reilly (6, 9, 23, 33, 45, 48, 56), Chris Haynes (13, 19, 42, 65), April Brooks (26), Will Brooks (31, 62),
Goals: Joe Wink-Simmonds 6/8, Stephen Reilly 0/1, Will Brooks 2/3, James Birchnall 0/1, Chris Haynes 0/1
Referees: Kim Abel / Rhett Johnson
Half Time: 4-40
