Match Report | Sheffield Eagles 38-26 Salford RLFC
26/04/2026
The Eagles made a return to winning ways this afternoon in the Betfred Championship with a 38-36 victory against Salford.
Looking for a response after three defeats in a row in league and cup, Craig Lingard wanted his side to hit back with a responsive performance as they looked to get back to winning ways.
New loan signing Jordan Abdull came straight in at half-back to make his debut, whilst there were returns in the starting thirteen for Corey Johnson, Connor Bower and Jack Bussey.
The visitors travelled to South Yorkshire full of confidence having recorded back-to-back wins in the Championship, but they knew it would be a tough task against the Eagles, as the two sides met for the first time in South Yorkshire since 2008.
A fast start was required for Lingard’s men, and they got that just that inside the opening five minutes. Abdull’s pass left sent Bussey over for a try, to the left of the sticks, on his return to action.
A second score of the afternoon came minutes later as the Eagles shifted the ball right in attack, and Kai Morgan sent a lovely, floated pass towards the wing on the last, allowing Ryan Millar to dot down in the right corner.
The visitors responded in the 21st minute as a kick through on the last by Toby Hughes was grounded in-goal by Cole Oakley, but the Eagles hit back instantly as Abdull turned and powered his way over to score to the left of sticks for a debut score four minutes later.
Will Oakes scored a fourth try of the afternoon for the Eagles on the half-hour mark as he spotted a gap out wide to crash over, extending the gap to a three-score lead.
And this was extended further in the final ten minutes before the break as Kai Morgan dotted down against his former side.
Salford responded three minutes after the restart with their second score of the game through Fin Yates, but again the Eagles responded as Billy Walkley supported Bussey’s break, to race seventy metres to score underneath the sticks.
Again, Salford responded themselves as Joe Baldwin and Ollie Garmston crashed over to score in the second half, sandwiching a Sheffield response as Jimmy Beckett powered his way over from close-range on 62 minutes.
The visitors again hit back as we approached the final ten minutes. The experienced Brad Dwyer crashed over to the right of the posts, bringing it back to a two-score game.
Despite a spirited second-half comeback by the visitors, the Eagles were able to hold on for an important victory, seeing us return to winning ways in the Betfred Championship.
The Eagles will begin the month of May on the road next Sunday when we travel to the DCBL Stadium to face Widnes Vikings in Round 12 of the Betfred Championship (3pm KO).
Sheffield Eagles: Brown, Millar, Oakes, Hodson, Walkley, Morgan, Abdull, Matongo, Johnson, Reilly, Bower, Bussey, Griffin
Interchanges (all used): Butterworth, Broadbent, Bowes, Beckett
18th Man: Peachey
Tries: Bussey (5’), Millar (11’), Abdull (24’), Oakes (28’), Morgan (34’), Walkley (48’), Beckett (62’)
Goals: Abdull (1/2) Morgan (4/5)
Salford: Green, Smith, Holmes, Hartley, Gilford, Hughes, Pilling, Bowring, Dwyer, Bibby, Oakley, Garmston, Haldenby
Interchanges (all used): Baldwin, Yates, Lynch, Costello
18th Man: Appleby
Tries: Oakley (21’), Yates (43’), Baldwin (57’), Garmston (66’), Dwyer (68’)
Goals: Hughes (3/5)
Referee: K. Moore
Attendance: 912
