Match Report | Doncaster 18-22 Sheffield Eagles
05/02/2024
Sheffield Eagles started the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup Group Stage with a 18-22 victory over South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster at the Eco-Power Stadium on Sunday.
Alex Foster and Mitch Clark made their competitive debuts for the club in the forwards, alongside fellow forward Eddie Battye, who returned to the Eagles for a third spell during the off-season.
In what proved to be a low-scoring affair in first half, it was Sheffield who profited from a man advantage following Sam Smeaton’s early sin-bin for a high shot, earning the game’s first score.
With 27 minutes on the clock, Titus Gwaze powered his way over from close-range to score under the sticks after connecting with Kyle Wood’s short ball, the first of three assists for the afternoon from the experienced hooker.
Cory Aston was on hand to add the extras to put the Eagles six points ahead, the first of three successful kicks for the afternoon from the half-back.
After Evan Hodgson was then sin-binned for a similar challenge for the Eagles, the hosts hit back after Joe Lovodua spotted a gap in the Sheffield defensive line, before playing the ball left to Alex Sutcliffe who crashed over in the left-hand corner to score.
Connor Robinson stepped up to pull the scoreline level, adding the first of three conversions himself for the afternoon.
It was the Eagles who had the last say in the first half with minutes remaining on the clock. The Eagles were awarded a penalty after another high shot from a Doncaster man, resulting in Aston kicking a penalty through the sticks to ensure we headed into the sheds at the break leading by two points.
Sheffield went back-to-back with early scores inside the opening five minutes to put a two-score lead between themselves and Doncaster early in the second half.
Firstly, Oliver Roberts powered his way over from close-range, before Evan Hodgson scored a superb solo-try following a break from thirty-metres out.
The lead was extended further as the Eagles scored a fourth try of the afternoon fifteen minutes into the second half. Roberts once again used strength and power to work his way through a handful of Doncaster defenders to score to the left of the sticks.
The hosts did hit back back-to-back tries of their own on the hour mark in South Yorkshire. Ben Johnston spotted a gap to touch down from close-range, before Lovodua raced away to score after spotting a gap in the Sheffield defensive line on halfway.
With only fifteen minutes remaining on the clock, Aston’s men had to show resilience and determination as they held out against a threatening Doncaster side, as the Eagles were able to hold on for the narrowest of wins.
We now know that victory against League One side Midlands Hurricanes in a fortnight will see the Eagles book our place in the Quarter Finals of the competition.
Attention now turns to Betfred Challenge Cup action as we entertain Newcastle Thunder at home on Saturday afternoon in the 3rd Round of the competition.
Doncaster RLFC: Guzdek, Briscoe, Hey, Tali, Halliday, Johnston, Robinson, Holdstock, Lovodua, Matagi, Smeaton, Sutcliffe, Ferres
Interchanges: Foster, Pauli, Hepi, Boas
18th Man: Hall
Sin Bin: Smeaton
Tries: Sutcliffe (34’), Johnston (60’), Lovodua (62’)
Goals: Robinson (3/3)
Sheffield Eagles: Hansen, Jones-Bishop, Welham, Glover, Dawson-Jones, Aston, Thackeray, Battye, Halafihi, Clark, Foster, J.Farrell, Gwaze
Interchanges: Wood, Roberts, Liu, Hodgson
18th Man: Bower
Sin Bin: Hodgson
Tries: Gwaze (27’), Roberts (42’, 55’), Hodgson (44’)
Goals: Aston (3/5)
Referee: K.Moore
