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Sheffield Tigers RUFC
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(Established 1932)
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A National Three North Club
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Reports 2009-2010:
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06/03/10 - Tigers 1st XV Lose Second Successive Home Match in National 3 North
Sheffield Tigers 8 - Darlington Mowden Park 19
Darlington Mowden Park paid their first visit to Tigers and left with four points from a hard earned victory. From an early Park mistake Tigers kicked the ball downfield and when the visitors backs were caught offside Tom Outram opened the scoring with a penalty after just six minutes. Darlington then dominated both possession and territory. Their task was made easier by the number of dropped balls from
Darlington kicks and from Tigers kicks to touch not achieving their objective. These were run back at pace by Darlington and only a foot in touch and an excellent last man tackle by Jimmy Pearson prevented them taking the lead. Then it was Darlingtons turn to make a mistake when they kicked a ball straight into touch from just outside their twentytwo. From the line-out the ball went left across the field and then back to the right for winger Gareth Morley to score an unconverted try after sixteen minutes. Darlington continued to dominate and now Tigers were beginning to miss first tackles and having to work very hard in defence against well organised visitors attacks. After thirty minutes things became harder for the home side when centre John Buchanan had to leave the field after a collision with his own prop Simon Bunting, who himself needed attention to a blood injury. Substitute Jamie Clark came on for his debut. Tigers then had their only real period of pressure in the Darlington half but any pressure at the scrummage was being negated by failure to stop the visitors wheeling. Another punt downfield was run back sixty metres by Darlington and the visitors confidence was growing with yet more weak tackling. As half-time approached a straightforward penalty miss from thirty metres kept the scoreboard at 8 - 0 to Tigers despite being much against the run of play.
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Debutante Jamie Clark - Break.
- © Ian Anderson 2010
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The second half started in a similar fashion to most of the first. From a Tigers mark in the twentytwo touch was again not found, but this time Tigers were made to pay as the ball went through three pairs of Darlington hands and even more missed Tigers tackles for a converted try after just two minutes. Darlington were continuing to dominate. Charlie Cone was replaced by debutant hooker Ali Thompson and Callum McKenzie replaced Nav Sandhu. These changes upped the Tigers workrate but still mistakes were being made. From a penalty to the corner the resulting line-out was lost to deny Tigers pressure on the Darlington line. Darlington then kicked downfield, Tigers knocked on and the visitors scored a try from the resulting scrum for a 12 - 8 lead on sixtysix minutes. The game was now slipping away from Tigers but the home side started to play with more purpose and took a scrum against the head. Again the chance was wasted, this time for crossing, and then a kick at goal from a penalty went well wide. With the match entering injury time a third Darlington try from a Tigers mistake sealed the points for the visitors by 19 - 8.
While the eighteen players cannot be faulted for their effort, especially considering the amount of defending the side had to do, this was not as good a performance as last week against leaders Stockport. Tigers were outscored by three tries to one and outplayed by a very competent Darlington side who showed their experience of having played at a higher level. This Saturday Tigers are on the road at bottom of the league West Park St Helens.
Team Cone (Thomson), Toews, Bunting, Wilkinson, Joel (C), Hannam, Sandhu (McKenzie), Pearson N, Drage, Outram, Pratt, Buchanan (Clark), Pearson J, Morley, Coupland
Replacement all used
Referee Simon Lazenby
Report Nigel Dakin
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27/02/10 - Tigers 1st XV Narrowly Lose to League Leaders in National 3 North Match
Sheffield Tigers 17 - Stockport 25
Visitors Stockport kicked off at Dore Moor sitting proudly at the top of the league. The early part of the match saw the visitors stand-off kicking the ample Stockport possession to keep Tigers deep in their own half. The home side were having to tackle solidly to keep the visitors from scoring and a try went
begging when a Stockport player dropped the ball when over the try line. Eventually the pressure told and a deliberate knock-on by a Tigers three-quarter saw Matt Bebbington kick three points to give the visitors the lead after fifteen minutes. Tigers responded with their first sortie into the Stockport half and, when it appeared that a scoring chance had gone begging, Stockport were penalised for offside at a ruck. The boot of Tom Outram levelled the scores on nineteen minutes. The lead was short lived as five minutes later it was Tigers turn to be penalised, this time for closing the line-out and the kick restored the visitors three point lead. Outram then missed a chance to level the scores. Two further penalties saw Stockport gain field position near the Tigers line. Excellent defence by number eight Nick Pearson drove the opposition stand-off back twenty metres and both the crowd and home players were surprised that Stockport were awarded the put in at the scrum. A comment was made and the referee awarded a penalty which Bebbington duly kicked. Three minutes later the same player added his fourth successful kick of the half when Richard Joel was yellow carded. The score remained 3-12 at the interval.
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Jimmy Pearson - Try Scoring Pass.
- © Ian Anderson 2010
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Tigers started the second half strongly. When Stockport were forced to kick for touch from their twentytwo Tigers full-back Jimmy Pearson made a good catch on the half-way line and set off down the touchline. He beat a defender superbly on the outside in limited space and his well timed pass inside saw winger Gareth Morley race in for a try converted by Outram. Tigers were now back in the game just two points down after fortyfive minutes. Even Bebbingtons fifth successful penalty five minutes later did not check the changing tide. Following a penalty kick to the Stockport line and a catch and drive the ball was released to the backs and Morley ran a good angle to take an inside pass at pace and power over, Outram adding the conversion to give Tigers a two point lead. Disappointingly the lead lasted only three minutes. Yet another penalty saw substitute Jake Barron yellow carded and Bebbington give Stockport a one point advantage. Stockport now tried to hold onto their lead with the forwards retaining the ball and driving towards the Tigers line. The Tigers defence held firm until a good break down the right hand touchline by the visitors hooker gave his team a chance to catch Tigers backs out of defensive alignment. The ball was passed quickly left and winger Greg Newton scored. The conversion made the score 17-25 with ten minutes left. A knock-on by Tigers then spoiled a good attacking opportunity and further errors and good defence by both teams ensured that that was the final score.
This was a close game with neither side able to get the upper hand for more than a few phases of play. Both packs worked hard and the backs cancelled each other out. Tigers showed that they can compete with the best teams in the league and scored two tries to the visitors one. However, penalties were the difference, especially as Stockport were awarded six in comfortable kicking range.
Good luck to Stockport for the rest of the season in their push for promotion. Next week Tigers are home to Darlington Mowden Park.
Team Cone, Toews, Bunting, Wilkinson, Joel, Hannam (Barron), Sandhu, Pearson N, Scully(C) (Drage), Outram, Pratt, Buchanan, Rothwell, Morley, Pearson J
Replacement not used Whitworth
Referee Andy Daniels
Report Nigel Dakin
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20/02/10 - Tigers 1st XV Postponed at Cleckheaton in National 3 North League
Cleckheaton ?? - Sheffield Tigers ??
Tigers match at Cleckheaton was postponed due to a frozen pitch. The only other postponed match in the league was West Park (St Helens) v Darlington Mowden Park. Stockport, Tigers opponents at Dore Moor next week, moved back to the top of the table with a home win over Rossendale while the previous leaders Morley, were well beaten away at Birkenhead Park.
Team
Replacements
Referee
Report
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13/02/10 - Tigers 1st XV Beat Chester to Record First National 3 North League Win in 2010
Sheffield Tigers 27 - Chester 3
Tigers came into the match off a run of four successive league defeats and after two blank Saturdays. The very experienced front row of Harry Toews, Hugo Horn and Simon Bunting was not available for selection so Tigers fielded two front-row players in Charlie Cone and Sam Whitworth under twenty years of age and Adam Russell only twentyfour. With replacement prop Frank Lidster, back-row forward Brandon Hannam and full-back Will Durandt also under twenty this was probably the youngest first team ever fielded by Tigers in a league fixture. Four players were also making their debuts Whitworth, Lidster, Hannan and winger Simon Pratt. All were to perform admirably during the match and play major roles in reversing an earlier season heavy defeat away to Chester.
It took just one minute for Tigers to achieve what they had failed to do in their previous one hundred and sixty minutes of rugby, namely to get any points on the scoreboard, when Tom Outram kicked a penalty to give Tigers the lead. The lead lasted just two minutes as Chester stand-off Rhys Hayes levelled. Tigers early pressure was being nullified as Chester managed to turn over home side possession at several rucks. Then Tigers had an opportunity from a penalty kick to touch, but this was wasted when the line-out was lost. However, Tigers were playing with greater determination than they had shown so far this year and were dominating the game territorially. Two penalty kicks at goal were missed before Outram put Tigers into a 6 - 3 lead after twentyfive minutes. Chester came back strongly with a series of good drives but then they lost possession and position when they were penalised for holding on at the ruck. A strong run into the Chester twentytwo by centre John Buchanan was wasted when a pass went to ground with the try line begging. However, from the resulting scrum Tigers were awarded a free kick. Richard Joel tapped and went for the line before getting the ball to winger Gareth Morley who scored. Outram added an easy two points for 13 - 3 after thirtythree minutes. Two minutes later Tigers effectively sealed the match when Buchanan took another crash ball into the twentytwo and second-row Bevan Wilkinson was on hand to drive over. Outram converted for 20 - 3. Good defence was still needed as Chester stormed the Tigers try line but a yellow card and a missed penalty kick at goal prevented them adding to their score before the end of the half.
The start of the second half saw the visitors briefly down to thirteen players when a forward came in at the side to deny Tigers possession. When the next maul was pulled down the referees patience had been tested enough and he awarded a penalty try and Outrams conversion made the score 27 - 3 on fifty minutes. The remainder of the match saw the game to and fro with first Tigers getting on top and then Chester responding. Sadly for the visitors and their good group of supporters any pressure they created was wasted by basic handling errors. Two good breaks saw man of the match Wilkinson involved running out wide with pace and even throwing a dummy! There were no further scores but the team and all the home supporters were happy to be back to winning ways before Saturdays trip to Cleckheaton.
As a footnote, the day got even worse for Chester when their number ten was red carded by the referee for an inappropriate comment after he had blown the final whistle.
Team Cone, Whitworth, Russell (Lidster), Wilkinson, Joel, Hannam, Sandhu, Pearson N, Scully(C), Outram, Pratt, Buchanan, Rothwell, Morley, Durandt
Replacements not used Drage, Parsons
Referee Richard Whelan
Report Nigel Dakin
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06/02/10 - Tigers 1st XV Postponed at Rossendale in National 3 North League
Rossendale ?? - Sheffield Tigers ??
Tigers match at Rossendale was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. Rossendale have not played at home since the end of October and are now at least 2 games behind the rest of the league. All other matches in the league went ahead as planned and as a result Tigers have now dropped to seventh place.
Team
Replacements
Referee
Report
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30/01/10 - Tigers 1st XV Postponed at Birkenhead Park in National 3 North League
Birkenhead Park ?? - Sheffield Tigers ??
Tigers match at Birkenhead Park was postponed due to a frozen pitch. Most matches in the league were postponed apart from at Beverley and at Chester. Beverley beat Middlesbrough to climb above Tigers who dropped to sixth place.
Team
Replacements
Referee
Report
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23/01/10 - Tigers 1st XV Beaten by Beverley in 4th Successive National 3 North League Defeat
Sheffield Tigers 0 - Beverley 16
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Jamie Rothwell - Break.
- © Ian Anderson 2010
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On a good pitch which showed no after effects after being buried in snow for five weeks, Tigers started the match off with a run of three successive league defeats and ended it on a run of four. Back in October Tigers won 27-3 at Beverley after a score line of three all at half-time when the pack totally dominated the set piece. This time Beverley were far more determined. Despite early scrum pressure from the home pack the visitors saw their fair share of the ball. This was made even greater when a pass in the centre was intercepted by a Beverley player. It looked like a certain score but good defensive work saw the ball held up over the line. However, this simply delayed the inevitable as from a Tigers penalty at the resulting five metre scrum the Beverley captain Dave Worrall powered over for Phil Doboullay to convert. Tigers were having great difficulty in getting anything but slow ball from breakdowns whereas the visitors ball was much quicker enabling them to play a more open game. A penalty after eighteen minutes for offside and another seven minutes later for not rolling away saw Tigers 13 - 0 down. The home sides best chance of a try came when centre Jamie Rothwell made an excellent run but could not ground the ball under pressure from a good defensive tackle. A penalty kick at goal by Tigers went wide and with half-time approaching Tigers were again forced to defend. When the home side were penalised for not releasing on forty minutes, Doboulay slotted the kick to put Beverley three scores clear. This should have been reduced to just two scores into injury time but a straight forward penalty kick went wide from in front of the Beverley posts.
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Dominic Parsons - Clean Catch.
- © Ian Anderson 2010
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The second half continued in just as bad a fashion for Tigers. The kick-off went straight into touch and then another penalty kick at goal went wide. A rare break saw Tigers with the put in to a scrum in the Beverley twentytwo but the ball was lost. Beverley were continuing to look untroubled by the home sides efforts and slowly tightening their grip on the match without having to take any undue risks. Tigers afternoon was summed up when they were awarded consecutive penalties mid way through the second-half. Both were kicked to touch but the first line-out was stolen by Beverley while the second one saw Tigers knock-on. Tigers raised themselves for a late flurry and took the game to Beverley but the visitors defence held firm, as it had all afternoon.
This was a disappointing performance from Tigers. It was the second match running in which they had scored no points and the lack of a competent goal kicker is a major concern. Whilst all the players tried hard there was not the normal zip. The pack looked ponderous and the backs found it difficult to penetrate the Beverley backs. Neither winger got a pass all game and there is a lot of work to do on the training paddock this week before the difficult trip to Birkenhead Park on Saturday.
On a lighter note, the performance of the home touch judge was again very promising, but the home crowd were unable to witness the speed, agility and athleticism shown the previous week at West Hartlepool due to the absence of mole hills!
Team Bunting, Toews, Cone (Russell), Wilkinson, Parsons, Joel, Barron (Sandhu), Pearson N,
Drage, Scully (C) (Spon-Smith), Lee, Buchanan, Rothwell, Bastock, Pearson J
Replacements all used
Referee Hatim Tall
Report Nigel Dakin |
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16/01/10 - Tigers 1st XV Woe at West in 3rd Successive National 3 North League Defeat
West Hartlepool 13 - Sheffield Tigers 0
The day got off to an inauspicious start as the squad departed an hour late, leaving the club still covered in deep snow. It is now a full 4 weeks since any grass was visible at Dore Moor and the lack of fitness and pre-match preparation showed in the final score. On a day when only one other game was played in the league, the conditions at West Hartlepool were cool, and the pitch was heavy but had the potential to provide an open running game. Both sides needed to win, Tigers still with a realistic eye on the promotion play-offs, whilst West Hartlepool were starting the game propping up the league and desperately needing points to stay in National 3 North, and to avenge their 57-8 defeat at Tigers early in the season.
After just two minutes with some of the Tigers team appearing to be still back on the coach, the West full-back, Scott Jordan, kicked a speculative punt up the middle of the park. The ball took a cruel bounce eluding the advancing Will Durandt, and Jordan narrowly beat Gavin Lees covering tackle to score under the posts. Paul Moss converted to give the home side a 7-0 lead. Midway through the first half and just as it looked as though Tigers were starting to organise themselves, the forwards were penalised ten metres from their try line for going into a maul from the side. Moss duly kicked the 3 points. After thirty minutes, scrum-half Alex Drage suffered a deep cut to his head, and was replaced by Charlie Spon-Smith, who went to stand-off, with Dave Scully moving to scrum-half. Tigers were steadily clawing their way back into the game, and after the slow start were beginning to take control of the set piece. Two minutes before the half-time whistle, Tigers were awarded a penalty five metres from the line. With the growing confidence of the pack, Tigers elected for a scrum under the posts rather than take the 3 points on offer. The home crowd had been consistent all game in loudly appealing for not straight on every Tigers put in, and the referee chose this occasion to penalise Scully for feeding, with the result that the half-time score remained at 10-0 in Wests favour.
Tigers started strongly in the second half, but against the run of play, West were awarded a penalty on fifty minutes. Mosss kick from forty metres sneaked over the bar and the task for Tigers playing up the slope was becoming harder. Once again the team rallied and the pack was starting to exert its authority over West. Five minutes later Tigers were awarded a penalty twentyfive metres out. What should have been a straight forward 3 points for Durandt went begging as he lost his footing in the mud. Five minutes later another penalty attempt by Spon-Smith also went wide of the mark. Despite the additions of Charlie Cone and Nick Barrett from the bench, Tigers were never able to convert their strength and superior territory into points. Moss was able to control the game for West with some astute kicking while much of Tigers possession was wasted and kicks from hand were returned by West with interest. The Tigers backs were rarely able to run with ball in hand and neither wing received a pass.
After 3 success defeats, Tigers will need to play with more conviction next week if they are to take any points off Beverley.
Probably the outstanding performance of the day was the speed and agility with which the Tigers touch judge sprinted tirelessly up and down the line, side stepping the indigenous mole hills like the true athlete that he is.
Team Russell (Cone), Horn, Bunting, Parsons (Barrett), Wilkinson, Joel, Nash, Pearson, Drage,
(Spon-Smith), Scully (C), Bastock, Buchanan, Rothwell, Lee, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Jon Owen
Report Alick Bush (Touch Judge & cub reporter)
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09/01/10 - Tigers 1st XV Postponed at Home to Stockport in National 3 North League
Sheffield Tigers ?? - Stockport ??
Tigers match at home to Stockport was postponed due to snow and ice - like most other matches throughout the country.
Team
Replacements
Referee
Report
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02/01/10 - Tigers 1st XV Friendly Fixture Against Scunthorpe Cancelled
Sheffield Tigers ?? - Scunthorpe ??
Tigers non-league match at home to Scunthorpe was cancelled as Scunthorpe had to play a rearranged League match.
Team
Replacements
Referee
Report
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19/12/09 - Tigers 1st XV Postponed at Rossendale in National 3 North League
Rossendale ?? - Sheffield Tigers ??
Tigers match at Rossendale was postponed due to a frozen pitch - like most other matches throughout the country.
Team
Replacements
Referee
Report
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12/12/09 - Tigers 1st XV Slip to Third Home Defeat in National 3 North League
Sheffield Tigers 15 - Rochdale 16
Tigers slipped to their second successive defeat by the margin of just one point. The match started promisingly with Tigers scoring an early try when Nick Pearson picked up from the base of a scrum and
fed the ball for scrum-half Dave Scully to score and Charlie Spon-Smith to convert after only five minutes. The seven point lead lasted just two minutes before Steven Collins opened the scoring for Rochdale when Tigers were caught offside on their own ten metre line. Tigers now had the majority of the ball and most of the territory but despite having the Rochdale scrum under pressure could not manage to add any further points. A break by Rochdale stand-off Collins reminded the home side just how dangerous a runner he could be, but poor handling by his fellow backs cost them the chance of a try. However, on twentynine minutes the Tigers midfield were made to pay for weak tackling when Collins ran in to score and then convert to make the score 10-7 to the visitors. After a full half hour Rochdale were at last adjudged to be offside and Tigers forwards put pressure on their line. A kick to the corner was followed by a catch and drive. Scully fed the ball on the blind-side to stand-off Jimmy Pearson who crossed for an unconverted try after thirtyfive minutes. The score stayed at 12-10 till halftime despite a lot of Rochdale possession and a long range penalty miss.
The second half started with Alex Drage replacing Jimmy Pearson and Scully moving to stand-off. Some good handling and running by the Tigers backs was wasted when the ball was passed to a Rochdale player who was able to kick and clear the pressure. On fifty minutes a very harsh decision for a slightly high tackle gifted Rochdale three points and the lead and from the restart, Tigers were reduced to fourteen men when John Buchanan was yellow carded for disagreeing with the referees decision. Tigers then used their remaining two substitutes with Harry Toews replacing Mick Ward and Frank Wragg
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Charlie Spoon-Smith - Clearance Kick.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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making his debut for Steve Pearson. Spon-Smith put Tigers in front with a penalty on sixtyfive minutes but again Rochdale bounced back and Tigers had a period of defending. It looked like the pressure would be relieved when a Rochdale winger was isolated and seemed to be holding onto the ball on the ground but only a scrum was awarded. With seven minutes left the crowd was disappointed when Tigers themselves were penalised for handling on the floor and the penalty gave Rochdale the lead. Strong late pressure by the home forwards failed to breach a firm Rochdale defence and when the ball went down the backs nothing could be created. The last kick of the match saw a chance for Tigers to steal a win but the long range penalty never threatened the posts.
Final score Tigers 15 Rochdale 16.
Next week sees the last fixture of 2009 with a tricky away fixture at Rossendale. Tigers desperately need to rediscover their cutting edge in midfield if they are going to put more points on the score board after hard work by the pack. It is to be hoped that pack stalwart Richard Joel recovers from injury as Rossendale showed on their narrow defeat at Dore Moor in September that they are a very solid outfit.
Team Bunting, Horn, Ward (Toews), Pearson S (Wragg), Parsons, Barrett, Barron, Pearson N, Scully (C), Pearson J (Drage), Buchanan, Honey, Spon-Smith, Morley, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Andy Daniels
Report Nigel Dakin |
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05/12/09 - Tigers 1st XV Injury Time Defeat to National 3 North League Leaders Morley
Morley 15 - Sheffield Tigers 14
The match started with a territorial kicking dual with Tigers having the territorial advantage and the majority of possession but being unable to breach the best defence in English League rugby. Tigers paid the price on fourteen minutes when, with their first attack, the home side were awarded a dubious penalty when it looked as if their scrum-half had knocked the ball on at a ruck. Kicker Simon Bradshaw duly put the first three points of the afternoon on the scoreboard. From the restart number eight Nick Pearson put a crunching tackle into the catcher who was penalised for holding on and Charlie Spon-Smith levelled the scores. Morleys three-quarters were now looking dangerous with the increased possession they were achieving and Tigers backs were caught offside only for the kick to go wide. Centre Simon Honey made a good tackle after having to turn and catch his man and the referee was keeping the crowd on its toes as Morley seemed to be enjoying the majority of the tight decisions. A silly penalty for offside following a mark and poor subsequent kick saw Bradshaw add three more points on twentyseven minutes before missing another penalty five minutes later. The same player completed his hat trick of penalties with five minutes to go till half-time when Simon Bunting was yellow carded. Morley were now having their best spell of the match and should have scored a try with the line at their mercy only to waste the chance when the ball was passed forwards. With the home side finishing the half strongly and with only fourteen men Tigers were relieved to hear the half-time whistle still only six points adrift.
Tigers started the second half strongly and gained advantage at the scrum turning the Morley pack through ninety degrees. Two attempted clearance kicks were charged down and Tigers were lucky not to concede a try when a Morley back knocked on whilst trying to gather the ball. On fortyeight minutes Tigers were penalised for holding onto the ball on the floor and Bradshaw was again successful. Morley were now getting more players to break downs quicker than Tigers and using the ball well to create space for their speedy wingers to work in. However, it was then the turn of the home side to concede a penalty for holding on and Spon-Smith cut the lead to 12-6 on fifty minutes. Bradshaw should have increased the lead but he missed a fairly straight forward kick at goal and this let off spurred Tigers on to play their best rugby of the match. The ball was passed across the pitch both ways and this stretched the Morley defence sufficiently for Nick Pearson to beat two men and stretch for the line and score a try. The conversion which would have given Tigers the lead sadly went wide. Five minutes later, on sixtytwo minutes, Tigers did take the lead when Spon-Smith punished Morley for again holding on in a ruck, but no player was yellow carded. Morley then wasted several chances out wide with careless forward passes before Tigers started to press. Dominic Parsons stole a Morley line-out but the chance went begging when a Tigers player became isolated and was penalised for not releasing in the tackle only ten metres from the Morley try line. With full-time approaching both packs showed their muscle. First the Tigers pack mauled Morley back into their own half. When a player came in at the side the referee gave the penalty but sadly Spon-Smiths kick went just wide. Then, with eighty minutes played the Morley pack drove Tigers backwards to near the visitors twentytwo. Again a defender came in at the side but this time Bradshaw made no mistake from the spot he had earlier missed from. There was just time to restart before the referee blew for full-time.
This was an entertaining match between two good sides. To score the only try of the match and still lose is disappointing. Tigers defended superbly all afternoon but the pressure Morley were able to put at the breakdown was probably the deciding factor. Tigers stay third but lose ground on leaders Morley and second placed Stockport.
Team Bunting, Horn, Russell (Ward), Wilkinson, Parsons, Joel (Barrett blood replacement), McKenzie, Pearson N, Drage, Scully (C), Coupland (Rumley), Honey, Spon-Smith, Morley, Pearson J
Replacements all used
Referee Fergus Kirby
Report Nigel Dakin
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28/11/09 - Tigers 1st XV Another Five Try Victory in National 3 North League
Sheffield Tigers 39 - Middlesbrough 6
Both teams entered the match short of several experienced players. Tigers were short of their entire front row of Harry Toews, Simon Bunting and Hugo Horn while Middlesbrough were missing their Yorkshire scrum-half Peter Wright. The home side started the better in terms of territory in a match in which, for once the wind would not be a factor. An early tap penalty by scrum-half Alex Drage saw him break and link with Dave Scully and winger Gavin Lee to make forty metres. From the resultant penalty conceded by Middlesbrough Tigers elected to kick to the corner. It was the correct option as from the line-out the pack drove over the visitors line from ten metres out. Hooker Dave Price, in his first game of the season,
touched down after nine minutes. Charlie Spon-Smith added the extras. A blood injury saw Nick Pearson temporarily replaced by Nick Barrett and then Price had treatment on the sideline for several minutes. During this time Middlesbrough got back into the game and began to dominate both possession and territory. An excellent tackle by prop Mick Ward saved a certain try but Tigers play was very disjointed. Bad ball was being passed back to put the receiving player under more pressure and when passing the ball it was being dropped or even not finding the intended recipient. Apart from a mazy run from Drage, when he nearly scored, the visitors were having the majority of the play and putting the Tigers scrum under pressure. Things changed on thirtythree minutes when right winger Nick Coupland punted a long clearance ball towards Tigers left wing. His fellow winger Lee got to the ball at the same time as the Middlesbrough full-back but got his foot to the ball to take it out of the grasp of the defender. A superb pick up saw him race fifty metres and beat two defenders to score an excellent individual try in the corner. Spon-Smith again converted for a slightly flattering 14-0 scoreline. Middlesbrough got on the scoreboard with two minutes till half-time with a penalty from Michael Thornburn. There was still time for Tigers to steal a Middlesbrough line-out and when the visitors then offended Spon-Smith again punished them for a half-time score of 17-3.
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Gavin Lee - Break for Try.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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Another Spon-Smith penalty a minute after the restart increased the lead. Tigers were now putting the Middlesbrough defence under severe pressure. A crossfield kick into the in goal area saw Coupland not quite able to touch down but the resulting scrum became a maul and Drage made a tackle, regained his feet and stole the ball to touchdown. Spon-Smith, having an excellent day with the boot, made it 27-3 after fortyfive minutes. Youngster Charlie Cone then replaced Ward at prop for his third appearance of the season. Tigers then tried to play rugby, unsuccessfully, in their own twentytwo which only resulted in Middlesbrough sensing they could get a try. However, sound Tigers defence led by crunching tackles by skipper Richard Joel and Nick Pearson limited the visitors efforts to just a penalty by Thornburn. Tigers pack and especially the young front row was gaining in confidence and on sixtyfour minutes again mauled the ball over the line for Price to score his second to make it 32-6 after sixtyfour minutes. Barrett now replaced Bev Wilkinson and Owen Evans replaced Coupland. With just four minutes remaining Middlesbrough knocked-on. From the resulting scrum Nick Pearson picked up and made ground before passing to Scully. His well timed pass fed centre John Buchanan through a gap in the Middlesbrough defence to score. Spon-Smith added the extra two points for a final score of 39-6. Dave Price was man of the match for his two tries and a good all round performance in his first match of the season.
This was an excellent result for Tigers. Without playing brilliantly the team won easily enough and scored tries from most of their opportunities, but more importantly scored tries when it mattered. The club has shown that there is strength in depth and the youngsters should all be proud of their performances. This was the ninth bonus point, the most of any team in the division and the team also have the most points for and the best points difference in the league. More significantly we are now only one point behind second placed Stockport and five behind leaders Morley who are the next opposition. If you can get to Morley for the 14:15 kick-off on Saturday please come and support. It should be worth the trip!
Team Ward (Cone), Price, Russell, Wilkinson (Barrett), Parsons, Joel, McKenzie, Pearson N, Drage, Scully (C), Lee, Buchanan, Spon-Smith, Coupland (Evans), Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Peter Coulthard
Report Nigel Dakin |
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21/11/09 - Tigers 1st XV No Match on First Non-League Saturday of the Season
Sheffield Tigers ?? -
Tigers decided to have a saturday off on the first non-league saturday of the season as the scheduled 1st round Yorkshire Cup tie against Rotherham Titans had to be postponed as Rotherham were playing in the British & Irish Cup.
Team
Replacements
Referee
Report
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14/11/09 - Tigers 1st XV Up To Third Place After National 3 North League Victory
Sheffield Tigers 32 - West Park (St Helens) 17
On an afternoon with a gale force wind and very damp playing conditions Tigers again were unable to field an unchanged side. With Dave Scully still out in Bermuda with the Classic Lions, Richard Joel continued at blind-side and as captain. Bevan Wilkinson retaining the second-row spot and newcomer Callum MacKenzie starting at open-side. Gareth Morley replaced Sam Bastock - a hamstring victim last week, and Jake Barron ,Adam Russell and Nick Coupland occupying the subs bench. The game started well with Tigers playing with the abating wind behind them and a forward drive in the first minute allowed Jimmy Pearson to hit a well struck drop goal to give Tigers a 3 - 0 lead after one minute. Tigers extended their lead on nine minutes when Alex Drage scored from the base of the scrum with a five metre dart, typical of his performance all afternoon as he caused West Park lots of problems close to the scrum and ruck, as flowing rugby was not going to be possible. The conversion was unsuccessful leaving Tigers ahead by 8 - 0. Tigers pack continued to dominate the game and it was no surprise on sixteen minutes when prop Simon Bunting arrived at a ruck at pace and was unstoppable from ten metres out to extend the lead to 13 - 0. Tigers were camped in the West Park twentytwo where wing Morley finished a fine move with a flourish from twenty metres out allowing Charlie Spon-Smith to add the conversion and give Tigers a 20 point lead after thirty minutes. Then, centre Simon Honey injured his hand and had to leave the field to be replaced by Nick Coupland, himself just coming back from injury. Tigers outstanding open-side Callum MacKenzie was sin-binned for a very
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Callum MacKenzie - Charge.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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innocuous high tackle and West Park were able to make the extra man count when centre Stephen Briers scored a good try from thirtyfive metres out with Warren Hunt converting to cut the deficit to 20 - 7. The scoring continued when Jimmy Pearson put Tigers in a great attacking position and a subsequent West Park knock-on gave Tigers the scrum. From the following ruck prop Mick Ward got into the front-row scoring act from close range to give Tigers a 25 - 7 half-time lead and a
bonus point.
Tigers turned round to face the very heavy driving rain, but they played excellent rugby, recycling ball and with Drage controlling the close quarter encounters, were able to gain long periods of territorial advantage. However a penalty after sixty minutes for not rolling away allowed West Park's Hunt to kick the three points to take the score to 25 - 10. Tigers then replaced Bevan Wilkinson with Jake Barron who went to blind-side with Richard Joel resuming his normal place in the second-row. Bunting was dominating the scrum and from another ball against the head, MacKenzie and John Buchanan were able to combine and gain some thirty metres and from the ensuing ruck Ward was on hand to score his second try with Spon-Smith adding a difficult conversion to extend the lead to 32 - 10. Adam Russell then came on for Bunting and as with the first substitution, Tigers were given a yellow card when Coupland was sin-binned for kicking a loose ball out of a ruck, like the first card, very severe for the offence and the position on the field. Park again took advantage of the extra man and a flowing cross field move saw full-back Neil Hull score in the corner. Hunt adding a fine conversion to take the score at the final whistle to 32 - 17 to the home side. Both sides produced an entertaining game in severe weather conditions and the players from both sides should take credit for their afternoons work.
Team Ward, Toews, Bunting (Russell), Wilkinson (Barron), Parsons, Joel (C), MacKenzie, Pearson N, Drage, Pearson J, Buchanan, Honey (Coupland), Spon-Smith, Morley, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Stephen Penfold
Report Stuart Headford |
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07/11/09 - Tigers 1st XV Pack on Top in National 3 North League Victory
Darlington Mowden Park 3 - Sheffield Tigers 10
On an afternoon with no wind and slightly damp playing conditions Tigers again were unable to field an unchanged side with Nav Sandhu joining a long list of back-row players injured and Dave Scully unavailable, Richard Joel moved to blindside and took over as captain with Bevan Wilkinson coming in to the second-row and newcomer Jake Barron on the bench. The game started badly with Tigers penalised in the first ruck of the day resulting in DMP fly-half Ritchie Young landing a well struck penalty from forty metres to give DMP the lead in the first minute of the game. The game then failed to gather any momentum with both sides failing to take positive action with the kicking game seeming to take over. However the Tigers pack particularly the front-row of Bunting, Horn and Toews were starting to dominate proceedings and from a good rolling maul Tigers were unlucky to give away a penalty when the forwards had created an excellent field position. With long periods of the game played around the half-way line and possession too often kicked away by both sides it was difficult for either side to create a scoring opportunity. Tigers were then handed the chance by DMP on twentyone minutes when they strayed off-side at a ruck and stand in kicker Will Durandt landed an excellent kick from fortyfive metres which went in off the post to level the scores at three all. Tigers hooker Horn, had to leave the field briefly for treatment to a facial injury and was replaced by Mick Ward on twenyeight minutes. DMP then gained ground from a penalty on thirtyone minutes, having chosen not to take the shot at goal but went for the corner only to lose the lineout and Tigers were able to clear their lines. Horn returned to the fray on thirtyfive minutes. During this period DMP were using the kick to the corner to good use but Tigers resolute defence held firm, exemplified by one piece of acrobatic play by Jimmy Pearson which allowed wing Gareth Morley to complete the clearance with an excellent relieving kick.
The second-half started in the same vein as the first with Tigers suffering, centre Simon Honey was replaced at half-time by Charlie Spon-Smith after sustaining a foot injury late in the first half, and then a back-row forward was sin-binned in the first minute for stamping more in frustration as DMP were often guilty of not rolling away. As is often the case with a team down to 14 men, Tigers played their best rugby of the game with the forwards dominating the opposition led by captain Joel who was having an outstanding afternoon as a makeshift back rower. This pressure was rewarded by another penalty on fiftythree minutes but Durandt was just wide from forty metres. DMP returned the penalty to Tigers half and were themselves given the chance to take the lead but Young was unable to convert his penalty effort on fiftyfour minutes. Tigers then took control over territory and spent long periods of play in the DMP half. Scrum-half Alex Drage was creating problems for the home side with a number of incisive breaks which Tigers were unable to convert into scores, but as the final whistle was approaching another aggressive drive by the Tigers pack, which had seen Wilkinson replaced by Barron for the final minutes of the game, saw Drage move the ball quickly on the blind-side with full-back Durandt arriving at pace and with a wonderful side-step beat the cover defence to score wide out on seventyeight minutes, Durandt concluded the scoring, converting his try with a flourish with an excellent conversion to give Tigers a hard fought victory 10 - 3. Although Durandt scored all the Tigers points, the victory goes down to the forwards who all afternoon had the better of their hosts in virtually all aspects of the game.
Team Toews, Horn (Ward), Bunting, Wilkinson (Barron), Parsons, Joel (C), Barrett, Pearson N, Drage, Pearson J, Bastock, Buchanan, Honey (Spon-Smith), Morley, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Fergus Kirby
Report Stuart Headford
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31/10/09 - Tigers 1st XV Pack Performs Well in National 3 North League Victory
Sheffield Tigers 34 -Cleckheaton 22
Tigers started the match in fine form with both the scrummage and line-out providing good ball.
Cleckheaton were first to mount pressure, but a weaving break from inside his own twentytwo by Jimmy Pearson saw all three front-row forwards to the fore in the next passages of play before quick ball was moved right. This enabled centre Simon Honey to go outside his marker to score on his debut. Will Durandt converted for 7-0 after only seven minutes. Both sides were relying heavily on the boot to gain territorial advantage with the home side having the advantage in these exchanges. Tigers were also getting the upper hand in the scrum winning an early strike against the head. Mistakes were too common by both sides and a good driving maul
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Debutante Simon Honey - Try.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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by Tigers was spoiled by being penalised for holding on at a ruck. Tigers were also missing tackles as Cleckheaton tried to move ball wide. Number eight Nick Pearson then did well to turned over Cleckheaton ball and the ball went down the Tigers backs. However the passing was too slow, with players taking too many steps to pass the ball, and the line too flat so that the Cleckheaton winger Ross Haydenhad had an easy task to intercept. He raced sixty metres only to be prevented from scoring by excellent covering by Jimmy Pearson. More Tigers possession was wasted by being penalised for holding on at a ruck and the visitors made the home side pay. A fifty metre kick put Cleckheaton on the Tigers twentytwo. The ball went down their backs before a chip and gather saw full-back Joe Masserella score. Hayden converted to level the scores on thirtyfive minutes. This woke up the Tigers team who responded a minute before the interval when a strong drive by the pack enabled Nick Pearson to score for a half-time advantage of 12-7.
Tigers began the second half strongly, as they had the first, and Durandt slotted over a penalty after only five minutes. Scrum-half Alex Drage then made a good break from a line-out before the Cleckheaton pack were forced to concede a penalty. The kick to the corner and subsequent drive for the line saw Hugo Horn score for Durandt to convert. That gave the home side a clear advantage at 22-7 after fifty minutes. Cleckheaton responded with their best period of pressure in the match. After being held up near the line
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Richard Joel - Charge.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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the ball was passed right but slow handling cost the visitors an almost certain try and all they had to show for the effort on their return to the halfway line was a penalty from Hayden on fiftyeight minutes. Tigers were now well in control of the match especially at the scrummage. Again Cleckheaton were penalised at the set piece and Tigers mounted more pressure with a kick to the corner. A good run wide out by Nick Pearson saw further pressure and eventually the referee lost patience with the visitors and awarded a penalty try for an easy extra two points for Durandt. That increased the lead to 29-10 with ten minutes to play. Tigers were now looking to run the ball but again the depth of the attacking line and passing options in the backs let them down. A break by Jimmy Pearson saw his well timed offload knocked on with the try line begging. Tigers then lost influential number eight Nick Pearson with a knee injury. This led to reshuffling as two earlier substitutions had seen prop Mick Ward replace Simon Bunting and Charlie Spon-Smith take over from Simon Honey. Winger Gareth Morley moved into the back row and substitute Neil Pearson replaced him on the wing. The changes did not affect the pressure Tigers were exerting and a strong charge for the line by Richard Joel was recycled for Spon-Smith to score in the corner in the last minute of normal time. Tigers now took their foot of the gas and in injury time Masserella scored his second try before the Tigers backs once again paid for indifferent passing as Hayden intercepted and ran half the length of the pitch and then converted his own try to narrow the deficit and make the final score 34-22.
While this was a clear win it should have been by a bigger margin despite a spirited performance by the whole Cleckheaton team. More patience needs to be shown near the opponents try line and the backs must become more decisive with their handling. What is more worrying before next weeks trip to Darlington MP is the growing list of injuries. Tom Outram is out till Xmas with a fractured ankle and Dave Scully missed todays match with a shoulder injury. Nick Pearson and Nav Sandhu picked up knocks today and at least two other players are carrying injuries. The next few matches will be tough as they include games against leaders Morley and always hard to beat Middlesbrough.
Team Toews, Horn, Bunting (Ward), Joel (C), Parsons, Sandhu, Barrett, Pearson Nick (Pearson Neil), Drage, Pearson J, Bastock, Buchanan, Honey (Spon-Smith), Morley, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee David Stephens (RFU SE Group)
Report Nigel Dakin |
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24/10/09 - Tigers 1st XV Lack Lustre Performance in National 3 North League Defeat
Chester 35 - Sheffield Tigers 12
Tigers again took to the field with a changed side with two of the front-row missing from the original team sheet Harry Toews moving from prop to replace the unwell Hugo Horn at hooker, and Mick Ward and Adam Russell filling the prop positions with Simon Bunting still not recovered from his arm injury.
Playing into the strong wind Tigers were 3 points down after only a minute being penalised for not releasing, the kick successful by, eventual Chester man of the match, Rhys Hayes. The first quarter was mainly a series of scrums and penalties with no side dominating. Two kickable penalties for Chester, offside at the ruck on seventeen minutes and not releasing on twentytwo minutes, saw Chester pull 9 points ahead with Hayes again using the wind to his advantage with long range kicks. Shortly after, Chester were penalised and Tom Outram narrowly missed a long range effort into the wind, drifting just past the upright. However, this was his last effort as he had to be helped from the pitch almost immediately afterwards with suspected ligament damage to his left ankle. The resulting shuffle to the half-backs brought in Alex Drage at scrum-half with Dave Scully moving to fly-half and Jimmy Pearson to centre. Chester took advantage of the disruption with an attack down the left hand side of the field and narrowly missed out on a try, being forced into touch on Tigers line. However, from the line-out the ball was tapped down by Tigers and seized on by Chesters James Farrell for a try in the corner on thirty minutes. The conversion by Hayes made the score 16-0. Tigers now began to exert more pressure and a penalty into the corner followed by a forward move was only thwarted by a knock-on. Tigers pack successfully wheeled the resulting scrum to win the put-in. Tigers continued the pressure and were awarded a penalty under the posts with Brown being yellowed carded on forty minutes. Alex Drage took a quick tap and darted over the line for a deserved Tigers try. Jimmy Pearson kicked the conversion to give a half-time score of 16-7 to Chester.
At the start of the second-half the game was for the taking by either side, with Tigers having the advantage of the wind although it had dropped considerably by now. Tigers mounted the initial pressure but never threatened Chesters line. More penalties conceded for holding on and coming in from the side of the ruck allowed Chester to relieve their line. After another Tigers attack the ball was lost in the ruck, and a quick break down the middle fed the Chester winger Green who scored under the posts after fiftyfive minutes. Hayes conversion moved the score on to 23-7. Before Tigers could mount a counter attack a cross field solo run by the other Chester winger Coy finished with a try in the opposite corner. A missed conversion left the score at 28-5 after sixty minutes. The reward for Coys try was to be immediately substituted. Tigers continued to make mistakes and Chester now began to dominate. A mix up by Tigers allowed Green to pick up the ball and break towards Tigers line then feeding Farrell to run in at the corner for a bonus point. A long conversion was put over by Hayes for a score of 35-7 on sixtyfive minutes. Tigers then had their best move of the game with flowing passing and running with Scully narrowly failing to score when tackled into touch just short of the line. After continued pressure on the Chester line by Tigers a series of penalties led to the award of a penalty try, which wasnt converted, to give a final score of 35-12.
A twentythree point deficit was harsh but in the end Tigers defeat was the result of too many errors and missed tackles, although the loss of Tom Outram certainly disrupted the backs at a critical stage. Next week Tigers are at home to Cleckheaton and will hopefully return to winning ways and playng some entertaining rugby.
Team Russell, Toews, Ward (Cone), Joel, Parsons, Sandhu (Barrett), Nash, Pearson N, Scully (C), Pearson J, Bastock, Buchanan, Outram (Drage), Morley, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Adam Friend (RFU SW Group)
Report Trev Bampton
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17/10/09 - Tigers 1st XV Suffer Second Home Defeat in National 3 North League
Sheffield Tigers 10 - Birkenhead Park 12
On an afternoon with perfect playing conditions Tigers were yet again unable to field an unchanged side
due to unavailabilities and injuries. Andrew Nash failed a late fitness test so Nick Barrett started, first choice prop Simon Bunting was replaced by Adam Russell and hooker Hugo Horn replaced by Mick Ward, although Horn was on the bench. Newcomer Aaron Holt coming in on the wing after a bright start with the development XV this season. A further late change was forced on the team by traffic problems which meant Captain Dave Scully was forced on to the bench with Nick Sheinkonige taking his place at scrum half. The disruption was seized on by a determined Birkenhead Park pack who started the game on the offensive with captain and No.8 Dave Blyth, and prop Martin Ibbotson making their mark. Early in the game it was Park who dominated the scrum taking the first scrum of the afternoon against the head. Tigers were up against a well organised pack and after five minutes the home side infringed on their twentytwo. Park ignored the three points and went for the corner but sterling work at the breakdown by Richard Joel gave Tigers the chance to clear their lines. With Park continuing to dominate Tigers eventually got the ball wide to Holt who put through a good grubber kick only for the Park full-back to clear with a good recovery kick. Tigers won the line-out on the Park twentytwo and tried to spin the ball wide, only for speedy Park centre Freeman Payne, to read the situation well and intercept to run sixty metres and touch down under the posts. With Dave Hall converting that gave Park a well deserved lead on fifteen minutes. Tigers pack could not get enough ball for long periods and were regularly penalised by the referee for a range of penalties caused by the visitors supremacy up front. Again Blyth made a telling run only foiled by a good tackle from centre John Buchanan, and from the clearing kick Tigers were at last able to put some pressure on Park for the first time. Late into the half Tigers were awarded a penalty which Tom Outram duly converted to make it 7-3 to the visitors on thirtyeight minutes, but straight from the restart Park fly-half Handley put through a clever kick which winger Andrew Trotter collected to score. Park were unable to convert but went to the half-time whistle leading 12-3.
Tigers brought on the delayed Scully for Scheinkonige and Horn replaced Ward with Toews reverting to
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Dominic Parsons - Lineout.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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his preferred position of prop. The changes seemed to give Tigers a boost with full-back Will Durandt making a good break. A further change saw Barrett replaced on fortyfive minutes by Ashley Rockey. Park continued to dominate the game again with Handley showing some good touches from fly-half, with breaks and kicks into space keeping Tigers pinned in their own half. Tigers were unlucky when what appeared to be a three man overlap was brought back by the referee and a scrum awarded to Tigers. During this period Tigers seemed to gain control of the game for the first time in the match and on sixtyfive minutes a fabulous break beating four or five defenders saw full-back Durandt show his immense talent to score wide out. Tom Outram converted to cut the
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Nick Pearson - Offload.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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deficit to 2 points. Tigers then piled on the pressure and another mazy run from Durandt made sixty metres but the support was unable to get to him quick enough and the Park defence held firm. The closing stages saw Tigers camped on the Park line and infringements by Park went unpunished. The match finished with a drop goal attempt by Jimmy Pearson which just went wide and Park took the points their pack duly deserved. Tigers second defeat at home this season shows the strength of the league and the importance of a large squad to cope with injuries. The inexperience of the team was certainly a factor in the defeat and hopefully the trip to Chester for the first time next week, will see the strongest team restored to the field.
Team Russell, Toews, Ward (Horn), Joel (C), Parsons, Sandhu, Barrett (Rockey), Pearson N, Scheinkonige (Scully), Pearson J, Bastock, Buchanan, Outram, Holt, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Andy Daniels
Report Stuart Headford |
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10/10/09 - Tigers 1st XV Beat Beverley Away in National 3 North League
Beverley 3 - Sheffield Tigers 27
Tigers arrived at Beaver Park two points ahead of Beverley in the league and left seven points clear after a hard earned win. The home side started strongly keeping the ball alive and looking to use their backs. A good tackle by Hugo Horn and a brave fall on a ball by Sam Bastock were highlights of the strong early defensive effort by Tigers. After ten minutes of soaking up pressure Tigers began to get into the game but a series of mistakes prevented dominance. A forward pass, throw in not straight at a line-out and a forced reverse pass all served to relieve the pressure on the home side. However, even in the early stages it was evident that the Beverley scrum was going to be in for a very difficult afternoon. A long range penalty attempt from Tom Outram fell short but Tigers were now beginning to dominate both possession and territory. Two further chances to kick at goal were turned down as Tigers went for the jugular and opted for scrums. Solid Beverley defence kept the match scoreless until Outram was asked to slot over a simple kick on twentythree minutes to open the scoring. Tigers then nearly scored a try when Richard Joel had a run bouncing off the Beverley skipper before a well timed pass to Nick Pearson saw him denied a score when his foot just hit the whitewash of the touchline. Every time Beverley looked to run the scraps of ball they were getting the Tigers defence stood firm, but despite a lot of ball and territorial advantage the visitors could not extend their lead. With half-time approaching the Beverley right winger Jelenic broke clear and made ground into the Tigers twentytwo. Tigers were judged to have handled on the floor in an attempt to slow down Beverley ball and Ian Archibald slotted the kick on thirtynine minutes for an improbable half-time score of three all.
The first minute of the second-half produced the first try of the match. A poor clearance kick from Beverley found full-back Will Durandt on the half-way line. His pass to John Buchanan saw the centres outside run commit two defenders before he passed to winger Gareth Morley. When he cut inside Nick Pearson was in support to feed Outram who went over for an unconverted try. Almost immediately Buchanan was shown a yellow card for an adjudged high tackle. Even with fourteen men Tigers were still able to keep up the pressure on the home side resulting in Gibson, the home second row being shown a yellow card. Tigers then laid siege to the Beverley line but still the home side refused to crack despite their scrum beginning to disintegrate. The pressure ended with substitute Nav Sandhu forcing his way over from short range to put Tigers 13-3 up on fiftyfive minutes. Another excellent run by the tireless Pearson saw the chance of scoring spoiled by careless handling in the backs. The next scrum saw the
Beverley pack going backwards at a rapid rate and doing well to keep on their feet. Pearson was then held up over the line and it was frustrating for Tigers that the total superiority was not being translated into points on the scoreboard. Further tremendous Beverley defence denied Tigers until at yet another scrum the home pack were forced to concede a penalty try, converted by Outram. This left Tigers five minutes in which to score a fourth try to secure a bonus point. In the last minute of normal time a quick tap and bullocking run by Joel saw the ball recycled and substitute stand-off Jimmy Pearson forced his way over. Outram was again successful with the conversion. This made the final score 27-3 at the end of a match that was mainly a hard physical confrontation between the two packs with Tigers eight putting in a superb performance away from home. The win puts Tigers fourth in the table, just one point behind the three leading teams and now with the best points difference and most points scored.
Man of the match Harry Toews, for leading the way in destroying the Beverley scrummage.
Team Toews, Horn, Bunting (Russell), Joel, Parsons, Nash (Sandhu), Barrett, Pearson N, Drage (Pearson J), Scully (C), Bastock, Buchanan, Outram, Morley, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Dean Lythgoe
Report Nigel Dakin |
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03/10/09 - Tigers 1st XV Blow Away West Hartlepool in National 3 North League Victory
Sheffield Tigers 57 - West Hartlepool 8
West Hartlepool played with the strong and gusty wind in their favour in the first half with both teams in need of a win after indifferent starts to the season. Tigers pack started strongly gaining good possession and driving well only to have the good work undone by mistakes that enabled West Hartlepool to kick and put Tigers back into their own half. The first quarter was dominated by several turn overs, mistakes due to the wind and penalties in the ruck area. However, even in the early exchanges the Tigers pack were gaining dominance in the set piece forcing the West Hartlepool scrum to go backwards and wheel at will. Two close chances went begging. First a catch and drive from a line-out was not quite scored and
then from a quick penalty and grubber ahead the visitors just managed to touch down before the home side. An early injury and yellow card disrupted the West Hartlepool pack and Tigers took full advantage on thirty minutes when second-row Dominic Parsons forced his way over the line after several recyclings of the ball by the pack on the opposition line. Tom Outram converted for 7-0 on thirty minutes. Four minutes later after good runs by Will Durandt and Andrew Nash, the ball was passed to evergreen Dave Scully who waited patiently and used dummy runners before strolling though from twenty metres to score for Outram to again convert. A second
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Will Durandt - Break.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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yellow card was not what West needed and with forty minutes completed the ball went down Tigers backs. When the ball went to ground Scully was there to pickup one handed and break. His well timed pass released Durandt to cut inside before feeding winger Gareth Morley who scored. Now in injury time, Paul Moss kicked a penalty for West to open their account before a long high clearance downfield for what West hoped would be the last play of the half. This was not to be as Durandt took a tremendous catch just in his own half and set off on a strong mazy run. After beating several defenders he linked with Outram and finally Nick Barrett who scored. Outram converted well for a half-time score of 26-3 to Tigers.
The second half started with an immediate yellow card to Nash for holding onto the ball on the floor. West Hartlepool took full advantage when their prop powered over from close range. Tigers were now beginning to totally dominate the game. A quick tap penalty and long pass saw Nick Pearson stroll in for
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Dave Scully - Try.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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Outram to convert on fifty minutes for 33-8. Substitutions were made by the home side with Mick Ward replacing Adam Russell, Nav Sandhu replacing Nick Pearson and Jimmy Pearson replacing Alex Drage. These did not disrupt Tigers dominance. First John Buchanan won the race to touch down a chip through the West defence for 38-3 on sixtyfive minutes. Six minutes later Jimmy Pearson dummied at stand-off before passing around a defender for Durandt to score in the corner. West then had their third player of the afternoon yellow carded. Tigers pack responded by driving the ball close to the West line before Scully, now at scrum-half, sped in from short range for Outram to convert and put up the half century of points on seventyseven minutes. There was still time for hooker Hugo Horn to race in unopposed after Richard Joel had ripped the ball from a West player. Outram completed a good afternoon of place kicking by converting for a final score of 57-8.
This was a good all round performance and just what was needed after the defeat at Stockport last week. Defence was much improved and the pack dominated the opposition enabling the backs to cut loose. Next week sees an away trip to Beverley, never an easy place to come away from with the points.
Team Bunting, Horn, Russell (Ward), Joel, Parsons, Nash, Barrett, Pearson N (Sandhu), Drage (Pearson J), Scully (C), Bastock, Buchanan, Outram, Morley, Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Richard Whelan
Report Nigel Dakin |
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26/09/09 - Tigers 1st XV Suffer Away Defeat at Stockport in National 3 North League
Stockport 22 - Sheffield Tigers 15
On an afternoon with perfect playing conditions Tigers again were unable to field an unchanged side with Andrew Nash failing a fitness test, Nick Barrett started with newcomer Steve Pearson coming onto the bench after a bright start with the development XV this season. Unbeaten Stockport had the opportunity to take the lead in the first minute with the advantage of the slope and quick ball from the first ruck the ball was sent wide only for the final pass to be knocked-on with the line open. A real wake up call for Tigers. Stockport maintained the early pressure with a break from fly-half Steve Pearson who was to prove the man of the match for the home side with an excellent all round game. It was Tigers who opened the scoring on five minutes with a penalty by Tom Outram after Stockport were penalised for holding on at the ruck. Stockport then piled on the pressure and dominated the territorial aspect of the game for long periods and it was no surprise when their No8 Ben Blakely, burst the defensive line as he was to do on many occasions, another Stockport player who caught the eye, from the ensuing ruck good quick handling put winger Greg Newton into space to score the first try of the match on fifteen minutes with Pearson adding the conversion to give Stockport the lead at 7 - 3. The match then entered a period of frantic play with breaks and counter breaks making the game a neutral would have loved but frustrating for both sets of supporters. Opportunities were missed by both sides including on thirty minutes a penalty by Pearson awarded for off-side against Tigers. It was not until late into the half that Blakely again made a telling break and with almost a copy of the first score, the ball spun wide and second-row Paul Ralph the recipient of a fine long pass from Pearson scored on thirtyseven minutes Pearson again adding the conversion to take the home side into the break at 14 - 3.
Tigers now had the advantage of the slope but were not able to break free from the grip of the Stockport pack with Blakely again prominent with quick ball. Pearson again made a telling break on the blindside of the ruck and fed supporting winger Newton to score his second try of the afternoon but was unable to add the conversion to leave Stockport in full control at 19 - 3 on fortytwo minutes. Simon Bunting was then added to the front-row to replace Adam Russell to make his first outing of the new season. Tigers then started to gain some ball and from an excellent break by Alex Drage who was lively all afternoon the ball was quickly moved to Outram who took a good angle to score on fortyseven minutes to make the score 19 - 8, as his conversion hit the post and went wide. Tigers had a number of chances to score but wasted them when either line-outs or scrums did not function properly and a further penalty chance on fiftyfive minutes was also wasted when Outram was unable to convert.
Stockport continued to defend well but on seventy minutes Tigers scored the best try of the afternoon with winger Sam Bastock cutting inside from wide to score almost under the posts. Outram added the conversion and despite not playing well Tigers had a chance to win at 19 - 15 down with ten minutes remaining. Steve Pearson then replace Bevan Wilkinson and Charlie Spon-Smith replaced Will Durandt but Stockport fly-half Pearson made the last telling score with a penalty from thirtyfive metres on seventyfive minutes to extend the Stockport lead to seven points. Stockport remained undefeated this season and Tigers take away a bonus point but will be ruing their inability to turn chances from good field positions into a score something they did not do again today.
Team Toews, Horn, Russell (Bunting), Joel, Wilkinson (Pearson S), Barrett, Sandhu, Pearson N, Drage, Scully (C), Bastock, Buchanan, Outram, Morley, Durandt (Spon-Smith)
Replacements all used
Referee Karl Kirkpatrick
Report Stuart Headford
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19/09/09 - Tigers 1st XV Get First Home Win in National 3 North League
Sheffield Tigers 21 - Rossendale 17
Tigers welcomed Rossendale to Dore Moor for the first time, on a glorious September afternoon ideal for playing rugby. The first ten minutes showed that the visitors would provide a stern test for Tigers when a catch and drive from a line-out was only just stopped short by Tigers. Tigers opened the scoring when
Tom Outram kicked a penalty awarded for a high tackle by a Rossendale player on eleven minutes. Following a Tigers knock-on at the base of the scrum four minutes later Rossendale used their possession to good effect with an attack from half-way down Tigers right. Their backs made good ground and the forwards showed good technique to recycle the ball for scrum-half Bramhall to score a try converted by stand-off DeJager. Three minutes later Outram reduced the lead to just one point with his second penalty when Rossendale were caught off-side on their twentytwo. The
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Jimmy Pearson - Break.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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game was now starting to flow and Tigers were playing expansive rugby. A good attack down the touchline by Jimmy Pearson saw him link with back-row forward Nav Sandhu who was hauled down just short of the try line. Despite further intense pressure from Tigers the well organised Rossendale defence held firm and a loose pass saw Rossendale pick up and break downfield only for full-back Pearson to make a try saving tackle. Outram then narrowly missed his penalty hat trick when Rossendale conceded a penalty by coming around the edge of the ruck, an offence which was to cost them dear later in the match. Despite the missed kick Tigers maintained pressure in the Rossendale twentytwo and after sniping runs by scrum-half Alex Drage the visitors defence cracked for the first time and Outram scored an unconverted try in the corner five minutes before half-time. There was still time for DeJager to kick a penalty, for the visitors to have a forward yellow carded and for Outram to miss a penalty shot at goal. Half-time score 11-10 to Tigers.
After a tight first forty minutes the second half opened with a string of Rossendale penalties that gave Tigers forwards good driving position on the visitors line, but control of the ball was lost and the opportunity wasted. Rossendale then had the rub of the green when Tigers were penalised at a ruck when the initial offence appeared to be playing the ball on the floor by Rossendale. The penalty kick to the corner was won and Rossendale attacked Tigers line. From another penalty at the ruck scrum-half Bramhall took a quick tap and scored his second try from short range. DeJager converted to give Rossendale the lead again at 17-11 on fortyseven minutes. This stirred Tigers and a Rossendale line-out was stolen. The pack used the ball to drive the opposition backwards with a solid rolling maul, so much missed by rugby players and spectators last season. Drage then produced a magic weaving run through a forest of defenders. When he was tackled just short of the line the forwards recycled the ball and set up camp on the try line. Hooker Hugo Horn powered over from two metres to score his fourth try in three matches. Outram converted from wide out and Tigers had regained the lead at 18-17 on fiftythree minutes. Tigers pack were now starting to gain the upper hand but Rossendale were not going to lie
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Dave Scully - Break.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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down and good counter rucking saw them turn over Tigers ball. A clean break by Dave Scully saw Rossendale penalised again for coming around the side of a ruck and Outram extended the lead to 21-17 on sixty minutes. A horrible mistimed hooked penalty miss by DeJager allowed Tigers to keep their four point lead as the Rossendale pack fought back. After a series of midfield exchanges the visitors got their reward for pressure when second-row Bevan Wilkinson was yellow carded. Following a line-out in Tigers twentytwo Rossendale attacked the line but the Tigers defence held firm and the attack ended when the visitors knocked on. Any pressure that the visitors mounted was defused by handling errors or by aimless kicking away of good possession in the open. With full-time approaching Dejager broke from half way as Tigers missed two attempted tackles on him but replacement back-row Nick Barrett showed good pace to catch DeJager and produce the tackle of the match to end the chance of a match winning try. The home pack now controlled the ball at two fiercely contested rucks and yet again frustrated Rossendale into conceding a penalty for straying offside. The kick to touch was the last action of a hard well fought contest between two evenly matched teams.
Team Toews, Horn, Russell, Joel, Wilkinson, Nash (Barrett), Sandhu, Pearson N, Drage, Scully (C), Coupland (Spon-Smith), Buchanan, Outram, Morley, Pearson J
Replacements not used Ward
Referee Colin Burrell
Report Nigel Dakin |
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12/09/09 - Tigers 1st XV Get First Win in National 3 North League Away at Rochdale
Rochdale 5 - Sheffield Tigers 25
On an afternoon with perfect playing conditions Tigers had to make a few changes to the side originally selected with Mick Ward failing a late fitness test. Adam Russell stepped up from the bench with Charlie Cone taking the replacement role, the other changes were debutant full-back Will Durandt and with Nick Coupland also starting on the bench for the first time. Tigers won their first penalty in the opening encounter of the game as Rochdale were penalised for hands in the ruck, however Tom Outram was unable to take the points as his effort shaved the post. This was to be one of the few occasions that Tigers were to be close to the Rochdale line in the first forty minutes and it was no surprise when the home side took the lead on ten minutes when a slick backs move put full-back Cowburn in at the corner. Fly-half Collins was unable to add the conversion giving Rochdale a 5 - 0 lead on ten minutes. Tigers were unable to string together any passages of play as the home consistently gave away penalties at the breakdown which nullified any chances of continuous play. Tigers also added to this with a series of unforced errors until on twentyfive minutes, winger Tom Oben manufactured some space and made a fifty metre break only to be halted by a twisted ankle which saw him substituted by Nick Coupland. Tigers then gave away a further penalty which was missed by Collins. The referee finally spoke to both captains about the number of penalties and it was from the next infringement that Tigers opened their scoring with a penaly from Outram on thirtysix minutes bringing the score to 5 - 3 to the home side. The referee then sent the home sides prop, Sunderland, to the sin-bin for yet another penalty infringement as the half-time whistle sounded.
The second half started well with No. 8 Nick Pearson, also on his return to the side, taking advantage of some loose play by the home side to pick up from broken play and sprint thirty metres to score on fortysix minutes, Outram converted to give Tigers the lead at 10 - 5. Tigers pack then took control of the game and maintained field position deep in Rochdale territory with the reward of a penalty for offside at a ruck. Outram increased the lead with a successful penalty on fifty minutes to extend the lead to 13 - 5. Tigers were now in full control and had a number of opportunities to score from forward drives which were well defended by the home side. However, eventually the Rochdale defence was breached when hooker Hugo Horn broke the line to score his third try of the season on sixtythree minutes, Outram again adding the conversion to give Tigers a comfortable lead of 20 - 5. Nav Sandhu was replaced by Nick Barrett at this point. The backs then started to create a little more freedom and excellent runs from Will Durandt and Gareth Morley almost gained another score with Tigers again dominating the territorial aspects of the game. Tigers then gave a full debut to prop Charlie Cone replacing the excellent Adam Russell and shortly afterwards late in the game from a ruck, the ball was quickly moved along the line with lock Dominic Parsons appearing on the right wing, he dived over to score his debut try on seventysix minutes. This was the final score of the game as Outram's conversion effort from the corner again just shaved the post to leave Tigers the victors by 25 - 5.
Tigers will be pleased with the win away from home where points are difficult to accumulate, and the debut players will give the coaching staff a lot of encouragement with excellent displays from prop Adam Russell, full back Will Durandt and winger Nick Coupland, which bodes well for the rest of the season.
Team Toews, Horn, Russell (Cone), Parsons, Wilkinson, Sandhu (Barrett), Pearson N, Nash, Drage, Scully(C), Morley, Rumley, Outram, Oben (Coupland), Durandt
Replacements all used
Referee Iwan Williams
Report Stuart Headford
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05/09/09 - Tigers 1st XV Start National 3 North League Campaign with Home Defeat to Penrith
Sheffield Tigers 26 - Penrith 28
Tigers started the season with a narrow defeat by newly promoted Penrith. The home side, playing into a stiff breeze, found themselves 0-9 down after the first quarter through giving away three penalties in their
own half, all for infringements at the ruck. On twenty minutes Dave Scully made a break which was continued by new centre John Buchanan. From the ensuing penalty Tigers kicked to touch for a catch and drive. When the
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Gareth Morley - Try.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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ball went down the backs a slick inside pass from Buchanan enabled winger Gareth Morley to score under the posts and Tom Outram converted to reduce the lead to two points. Tigers were now having the better of the possession and the territory despite playing into the wind. However, it was Penrith who scored when they stole Tigers lineout ball on the halfway line. Their number eight made good ground before early ball was spun right for the fullback to enter the line and score in the corner. At halftime the score remained at 7-14 despite a strong fifty metre run down the touchline by Morley that saw him just in touch as he was grounding the ball and then a good Tigers forward drive was well defended by Penrith.
With the wind now at their backs Tigers made an early run for the Penrith try line when Scully picked up a loose ball. Pressure by the pack saw hooker Hugo Horn score on fortyfive minutes to again reduce the deficit to just two points. A penalty miss denied Tigers the chance to take the lead for the first time
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Hugo Horn - Try.
- © Ian Anderson 2009
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before good handling by the Penrith backs saw their right winger score a converted try wide out for a 12-21 score after fifty minutes. Five minutes later Tigers again cut the gap to two points with a slick try from a scrum when Morley again came on an inside run from his blind side wing to score, Outram converting. Lineout ball was proving difficult to win for the home side and this was preventing any sustained pressure. A drive by Harry Toews was continued by scrum-half Alex Drage before Horn powered over for his second try on sixtyeight minutes. The successful conversion gave Tigers the lead for the first time in the match at 26-21. It was now a question of whether the home side could hold out as Penrith were continuing to look dangerous in the backs. More lineout ball was lost for a not straight throw in, before the telling moment. Penrith again shipped ball wide early and the left side defence of Tigers was again cut apart as their right winger was presented with an overlap to score. An excellent conversion from wide out and into the wind won the match despite a last minute long range penalty by Outram that fell just short.
Team Toews, Horn, Ward, Joel, Wilkinson, Barrett, Sandhu, Nash (Evans), Drage, Scully(C), Morley, Buchanan, Spon-Smith, Oben, Outram
Replacements not used Rumley, Russell
Referee Wayne Falla
Report Nigel Dakin |
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29/08/09 - Tigers Final Pre-season match
Hull Ionians 1st XV 14 - Sheffield Tigers 1st XV 12
This final pre-season match saw Ionians record a narrow 14-12 win over Tigers. The friendly fixture was again played over three sessions . The first session saw Tigers play well both in attack and defence. With the first period heading for a scoreless stalemate, new centre John Buchanan made a half break from a scrum near the Ionians line and fed fellow centre Charlie Spon-Smith who scored. Tom Outram converted. Ionians nearly scored after pressing the Tigers line but stand-off Tom Holt made an excellent tackle on his opposite number to maintain the 7-0 lead at the first interval. The second session ended in deadlock but Tigers were unfortunate when number eight Nick Pearson chipped the ball over the Ionians line and touched down only for play to be brought back as the referee had blown the whistle for an advantage to Tigers! Both sides made numerous errors in a closely contested and useful session. The main features of the third session were the excellent defence by the Tigers pack and backs that bodes well for the coming season, and an outstanding individual try. New winger Tom Oban intercepted a pass meant for his opposite winger on his own line and sped the length of the field to score, this time not converted by Outram. However, the Ionians scrum-half cut the lead to five points with ten minutes to go and with the last play of the game the Ionians pack at last managed to get the ball over the line and a good conversion gave Ionians the victory. However, this did not detract from a very good performance from the squad before they open their league campaign at home to Penrith this Saturday.
22/08/09 - Tigers First Pre-season match
Sheffield Tigers 1st XV 29 - Sandal 1st XV 28
The first pre-season match saw Tigers record a narrow 29-28 win over Sandal. The friendly fixture was played over three sessions and Tigers had nine new faces in their squad. The first session belonged to Tigers with tries from wingers Gareth Morley and Zac Holt to give the home side a 12-0 lead. However, the second session went very much the visitors way as poor home defending and good Sandal attacking saw the visitors score four converted tries with only a second Zac Holt try in reply as the whistle to end the session approached. Tigers then took full advantage of the law reversal to again allow the rolling maul, and the pack powered over from a line- out to reduce the deficit to 22-28. The third session was again strongly contested before new centre Jamie Broadly crossed the line following a loop move in the centre allowing Tom Outram to convert from wide out to give Tigers the narrowest of victories.
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