Falcons Maul Tigers in Six Try Victory at Dore Moor
Field got back to winning ways at an unusually mild and sunny Dore Moor on Saturday. Pre-match disruption due to traffic and reshuffling of the team raised some anxiety pre-kick-off. This was unfounded however as Field started with a bang. Tom Lee who was superb all afternoon with the boot repeatedly found long touch kicks to pressure Tigers on their own line. From a Field line out a powerful maul resulted in Ethan Myers dotting down after just 8 minutes.
Tigers tried to play some decent rugby however strong defence across the field resulted in a number of penalties to Huddersfield. Time and again Tom Lee’s big boot pinned Tigers back. A second maul try for Myers finally resulted in a copy of the first. Lee again striking a lovely conversion from the touch line.
Myers had a hat trick within half an hour. More forward pressure was taking its toll on the Tigers defence. A cheeky dummy and step saw Ethan glide through and under the posts. 21-0 after the conversion.
The try of the match came shortly before half time. Quick lineout ball off the top from Callum Swift was whipped out to Gav Rhodes at first receiver. George Hinchliff hit a hard line and soft hands from Rhodes put him through the gap. The forwards flooded the break. Hinchliff showed lovely hands himself to find Darren ‘Irish’ Neilly in support who stepped a defender and could have gone under the posts himself. In keeping with the Fijian style on display, Irish flung a deft pass back inside to South African Rhys Forryan who trundled over finishing a lovely flowing move. Tom Lee again striking the conversion.
With the last play of the half strong defence resulted in a Field penalty on half way. Up stepped Tom Lee whose new haircut had clearly had a wondrous effect on his kicking and he banged it over with many yards to spare.
HT 31-0
Tigers started the second half strong looking to up the pace and use their speedy outside backs. With Xander Nash having a ten minute break due to a yellow for ruck interference Field had to work hard to keep Tigers at bay. The defence held and when Nash returned Field started to attack from their own 22. Xander had a couple of his customary rampaging runs. Charlie Foreman and Nathan Bell had a couple of promising half breaks the last pass just not going to hand.
The forwards again stepped up to lead the way. Ethan Myers, who Tigers struggled to put down all game, made a half of the pitch break and from the resulting series of rucks the ball popped up to Gav Rhodes who barrelled over from half a yard.
Tigers had a yellow card for a dangerous tip on Nathan Bell and Field rung some changes. Big Justin Brown came into the second row. Steve Blakey came into the front row. Tigers had run out of front row players with Darren Neilly ruining a series of opposition props and the uncontested scrums took a little pace out of the game.
Callum Swift scored Field last try with a simple crash ball through the centres to finish a good scoring day for the forwards.
Tigers finally got a well worked and deserved consolation try with the last play of the game.
Tigers also deservedly won the post match pint downing. Field man of the match Ollie Shaw who stepped up to scrum half for the afternoon coming a miserable third.
Sheffield Tigers 2nds 5-41 Huddersfield Falcons
Tries. E Myres x3, R Forryan, G Rhodes, C Swift
Con. T Lee x4.
Pen T Lee
Photo by Mathew Marsden
