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Sheffield Tigers RUFC
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(Established 1932)
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A National 2 North Club
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Reports 2011-2012:
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28/01/12 - Tigers 1st XV Backs Dismantle GrassHoppers Defence in National 2 North Victory
Preston Grasshoppers 21 - Sheffield Tigers 31
Tigers arrived at Lightfoot Green, home of Preston Grasshoppers, for their first ever visit to find a wet, heavy pitch that had staged two school matches in midweek. Back in early October Hoppers had comprehensibly beaten Tigers 30-17 at Dore Moor and this looked to be a difficult fixture. Squad rotation saw Mark Chivers, Charlie Cone and Sam Cook on the bench along with Liam Wallace and fit again Alex Drage. In a positional change Will Smyth started in the second row.
As is now the style Tigers began the match by looking to use the backs whenever possible and this was to prove a good ploy against the big Hoppers pack. A forty metre early break by Jon Feeley should have led to an early try but the pass to winger Jamie Broadley was not made and possession subsequently lost. Hoppers were then forced to concede a penalty in their half and Tigers elected to kick to the corner. The lineout was won and after a storming drive by skipper Andy Barnes prop Anthony Ross was first man there and picked up to touch down. Jonny West added the extras for 7-0 after twelve minutes. Hoppers then attacked but good tackling kept them at bay until the home side eventually knocked-on, the first of many that were to follow as they retained possession poorly throughout the match. Following a Jimmy Pearson clearance kick Hoppers ran the ball back but when the ball went loose it was spun down Tigers backs to Broadley who made ground before passing inside to Feeley. When he was pulled down just inches short Broadley picked up to score. Again West converted and Tigers were 14-0 up after a quarter of the match. At last, and for a rare occasion, Hoppers broke through the Tigers midfield but sound tackling again saw them lose the ball and the pressure had gone. Then came the try of the match from sixty metres out. It seemed as if Hoppers had won scrum ball but Biffa Pearson pounced on the ball at the base of their scrum and the ball went once again down Tigers backs. Although it was lost centre Tom Outram ripped it back and Broadley raced down the line. He passed inside to Peter Swatkins who then passed inside again to Jon Buchanan. His well timed pass back out wide sent Broadley racing for the corner and five more points after thirtyone minutes. Tigers were tearing the Hoppers defence to shreds out wide and following a burst and kick ahead Feeley just missed touching down for the fourth try. Hoppers were now being penned in their own half and having to kick to make territory. It was beginning to look as if Tigers would turn around in a very strong position but Hoppers had other ideas. At last a handling move got them into Tigers twentytwo and their pack earned a penalty when a Tigers forward failed to roll away at a ruck. The kick at the posts was declined and after a quick tap, three half tackles enabled the Hoppers hooker Alan Holmes to score for Graham Holroyd to convert. Half time score 19-7 to Tigers.
The second half started with a very good catch and return run by Will Smyth before Hoppers mounted a sustained attack on the Tigers line. Now it was Tigers turn to find it hard to get out of their half. Strong defence at first kept the home side at bay but again a penalty kick at the posts was declined and a charging try from number eight Dominic Moon enabled Holroyd to reduce the lead to just five points. At last Tigers started to get more of the ball and forwards and backs recycled the ball up field. Both prop replacements were made along with Alex Drage coming on at scrum-half, West moving to stand-off, and Sam Cook coming on for MacKenzie with Smyth moving into the backrow. Another long period of defending saw Tigers keep Hoppers out before a good lineout steal by Barnes saw the pack drive the ball to outside the twentytwo. A Tigers break out wide was halted for an adjudged forward pass and Tigers were still deep in their own half. With four minutes on the clock Tigers made the game safe and secured a bonus point with their fourth try. When Hoppers gave away a scrum for obstruction in Tigers half the ball went down the Tigers backs. Feeley stepped inside and made ground Swatkins continued the move with an outside break before his inside pass gave the ever supporting Broadley space to race in from twenty metres. Again West converted for 26-14. Back came Hoppers and when hooker Ali Thomson powerfully tackled Hoppers Sean Long he spilled the ball. Down the backs it went again and Cook gave Swatkins a well timed pass. His strength, power and balance enabled him to knock off three would be tacklers before accelerating to score in the corner. Tigers continued to tackle ferociously but Hoppers did not give up. A late try wide out, ten minutes into injury time, saw replacement prop Chris Gale score for another seven pointer.
This was an excellent performance and a good match to watch, if you were a Tigers supporter! The team played some scintillating rugby and four of the five tries scored started from well inside our own half. The inter-passing out wide was brilliant and done at real pace. The match was well handled by Mr Fitzmaurice, although sadly high tackles went unpunished all afternoon. The win was Tigers sixth in the last seven matches and reinforces Tigers in ninth place in the league. This Saturday sees the team travelling to Luctonians for the fixture frozen off two weeks ago.
Man of the match – Jamie Broadley – A hat trick of classy tries involving strong, pacy running of intelligent lines
Team – Bunting (Cone), Thomson, Ross (Chivers), Smyth, Joel, MacKenzie (Cook), Pearson N, Barnes(C), West, Pearson J (Drage), Swatkins, Buchanan, Outram, Broadley, Feeley (Wallace)
Replacements all used –
Referee – Brendan Fitzmaurice
Assistants – Mike Firby and Dave Lodge
Report – Nigel Dakin
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21/01/12 - Tigers 1st XV Pack Drives to Victory in National 2 North
Sheffield Tigers 8 - Nuneaton 3
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Jonny West Penalty
© Ian Anderson - 2012
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Nuneaton were making their first official visit to Dore Moor having only been previously for a pre-season match. Both sides had won eight matches but Tigers were one place and three points above the visitors by virtue of earning double the number of bonus points. The match kicked off on a cool and breezy afternoon. Nuneaton had elected to play with the breeze but it was Tigers who had the better of the early territory only to surrender the ball and find themselves back in their own twentytwo after a long wind assisted clearance down field. Even in the early minutes the pattern of play for the afternoon was set with Tigers pack driving the ball relentlessly from their twentytwo. However, they conceded a penalty, but the kick at the posts went wide. Nuneaton pressure followed and after ten minutes stand-off Lee Chapman atoned for his penalty miss with a well taken drop goal. Clearly a good kicking game and forward power were going to be key to winning the match. The first error came when Chapman did not find touch from a penalty. Winger Peter Swatkins ran the ball back and several drives later Tigers pack forced the Nuneaton forwards to concede a penalty at a ruck in front of their posts. Jonny West, playing today at scrum-half due to illness to Alex Drage, levelled the scores from thirty metres. The rest of the half consisted of Tigers retaining possession, recycling the ball and driving relentlessly as a unit towards the Nuneaton line. Nuneaton were desperately aware of the need to score while they had the advantage of the wind but another poor kick, straight into touch, saw Nuneaton again defending. The half ended with the scores level and a question as to whether the Nuneaton pack could drive the ball away from defence as well as the Tigers pack had done.
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Charlie Cone Charge
© Ian Anderson - 2012
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The task the visitors faced in the second half became harder as the wind picked up from moderate to strong and the temperature fell from cool to cold! However, Nuneaton showed that they were capable of driving forward play, but as soon as they lost the ball West relieved the pressure with a long kick downfield and it was not long before Tigers were camped in the Nuneaton twentytwo. Several penalties and scrum options by Tigers eventually wore down the Nuneaton defence and captain Andy Barnes forced the ball over for five points that were to win the match after fortyeight minutes. With the lineout becoming more and more difficult to win the war of forward attrition continued but there was now only going to be one team winning the match. In two rare moments of back play winger Jamie Broadley had a strong run down the right touchline and centre Jon Buchanan had a typical charge for the line. On both occasions Nuneaton defended well and the forwards resumed their battering of each other. Tigers put on their four forward replacements so that they could “enjoy” the now gale force gusting wind and all players were delighted to hear the final whistle.
Whilst this was not a match for the casual supporter, both teams are to be complimented for the committed rugby on display, especially in defence. Tigers deserved the win because of their superior driving maul in which veteran Simon Bunting, and club stalwart Richard Joel, showed all of their experience. At the same time no one would deny Nuneaton their losing bonus point, hard earned by an excellent defensive display. A word of praise also for referee Mr Edmunds for his handling of the game on a difficult afternoon. Tigers have now climbed a league place to ninth. On Saturday Tigers make a first ever visit to fifth placed Preston Grasshoppers.
Man of the match – Sam Cook – Hard work in the driving mauls that were a feature of the afternoon
Team – Chivers (Ross), Thomson (Price), Bunting (Cone), Cook, Joel, Smyth (MacKenzie), Pearson N, Barnes(C), West, Pearson J, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Swatkins, Feeley
Replacements not used – Liam Wallace
Referee – Dave Edmunds
Assistants – Steve Bennett and Neil Readman
Report – Nigel Dakin
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14/01/12 - Tigers 1st XV Postponed Match at Luctonians in National 2 North
Luctonians ? - Sheffield Tigers ?
Tigers visit to Luctonians was postponed due to a frozen pitch. The weather also caused postponements at Huddersfield v Loughborough Students and Harrogate v Hull.
The pitch at Dore Moor was in perfect condition and on a sunny but cold afternoon, Tigers Development XV, overwhelmed Merit Table leaders Scunthorpe by 52 - 17 with an exhilarating display of open rugby.
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07/01/12 - Tigers 1st XV Start New Year with Hard Earned Victory in National 2 North
Sheffield Tigers 20 - Harrogate 7
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Peter Swatkins Try
© Ian Anderson - 2012
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Although the gales of earlier in the week had died down the opening fixture of 2012 took place on a distinctly “drafty” afternoon at Dore Moor. The heavy rains had drained through the pitch and the playing surface was superb. The visitors Harrogate had enjoyed a fortunate 19-15 victory in September and the Tigers side were determined to bag the points and make a good start to the second half of their campaign. Tigers kicked off against the breeze and when they got the ball they smoothly recycled possession several times using runners to bring the ball back in to the forwards. Then the ball went wide left and quickly back right for winger Peter Swatkins to round his marker unopposed and race in to score after only three minutes. Jonny West added an excellent conversion. Harrogate knew that they had to respond quickly and respond they did. When Tigers were offside at a ruck, the visitors kicked to the corner. After a period of pressure a strong run from centre Sam Bottomley saw him break a tackle to score near the posts and give Callum Irvine an easy kick to level the scores after seven minutes. Tigers were playing the game in the Harrogate half and had possession until they conceded a penalty. Sadly for Harrogate, following an optimistic tap on their own 10m line, they lost the ball and from the scrum Alex Drage gave out a quick pass. After Jon Buchanan had broken through two would be tacklers his offload fed full-back Jimmy
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Jimmy Pearson Try
© Ian Anderson - 2012
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Pearson whose well timed run saw him score from thirty metres. West’s wide out conversion attempt hit the post but it gave Tigers the lead again after sixteen minutes, a lead they were never to surrender. With the wind in their favour Harrogate were playing more and more of the game in the Tigers half. The visitors realised the need to score points while they had the use of the wind and decided to use their early advantage at the scrum when they declined an easy three point penalty in favour of a scrum five metres out. Tigers however put in a sustained spell of excellent defence to maintain the five point lead. Then it was Tigers turn to press and play rugby, with prop Mark Chivers twice involved in handling moves. With half time approaching Harrogate were penalised just outside their twentytwo and West added three more points to extend the lead to 15-7 at the break.
The second half started with the Harrogate pack realising they would need to work hard to drive the ball into the wind. When they did break the Tigers defensive line, Callum MacKenzie and Drage were on hand to bring down attackers and stop moves. Harrogate were now chasing the game, but too often seemed to take the ball into semi contact before passing, making Tigers job of defending easier. In a game of few lineouts Tigers were not up to their usual standard and it needed a good play by Richard Joel to regain the ball after Harrogate had stolen a Tigers throw. This led to a period of Tigers pressure in the Harrogate twentytwo but the visitors defence was up to the task and Tigers could not cross the line. Tigers strangely seemed content to try to batter their way over the Harrogate line using the forwards rather than giving the ball out to the backs. When they did pass the ball out on sixtytwo minutes a try was scored straight
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Andy Barnes Charge
© Ian Anderson - 2012
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away. West fed Buchanan and Swatkins entered the line at pace from his blind side wing position to scoot outside a centre and through the gap to score from twenty metres. The usual raft of replacements followed, Will Smyth for MacKenzie, Charlie Cone for Anthony Ross, Dave Price for Sam Cook and Jon Feeley, back after three months out with a broken arm, replacing Tom Outram. There was just time for captain Andy Barnes to make a break but his pace was such that he was forced to hold onto the ball while support arrived and was penalised. Harrogate never gave up but could not add to their score and neither could Tigers get the fourth try that would have given them a bonus point. Still, four points and consolidation in tenth place with the six teams below at least seven points adrift now is an excellent start to 2012. Saturday sees the long trip to Luctonians, currently fifth in the table, who we played well to beat 24-19 at Dore Moor back in September.
Man of the match – Alex Drage – hard work around the ruck and tackling like an extra back row forward
Team – Chivers, Thomson, Ross (Cone), Cook (Price), Joel, MacKenzie (Smyth), Pearson N, Barnes(C), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram (Feeley), Swatkins, Pearson J
Replacements all used –
Referee – Micheal Cooper
Assistants – Barry Dalby and Tom White
Report – Nigel Dakin |
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17/12/11 - Tigers 1st XV complete double over Hull for excellent finish before Xmas break
Sheffield Tigers 35 - Hull 10
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Peter Swatkins Try
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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Tigers welcomed our old friends from Hull to Dore Moor for this last fixture of 2011. The pitch was in perfect condition and although it was cold the lack of wind made for good playing conditions. The visitors started badly when their kick-off was judged not to have gone the required ten metres. The scrum saw Tigers then take the ball into contact and at the ruck Hull were penalised for the first of many offences at this area of the game. Alex Drage took a quick tap penalty, linked with winger Jamie Broadley and he gave full-back Peter Swatkins the pass that enabled him to score near the right corner. Jonny West started his 100% afternoon of successful kicks with the conversion and Tigers led 7-0 after only two minutes. Even at this early stage Tigers were playing fifteen man rugby from anywhere on the field. However, Hull then made a break the length of the field as Tigers missed two first up tackles and only a good cover tackle by number eight
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Biffo Pearson Charge
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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Gregor Hayter stopped the momentum. Good work by the outstanding Biffo Pearson regained the ball for Tigers who then got into a strong attacking position following another Hull penalty. A strong run by Broadley, a drive by second rower Sam Cook and a lovely step by centre Tom Outram created space for hooker Ali Thomson to power over for a great team try. Again West added the extras for 14-0 after just fourteen minutes. Hull came back strongly through their pack and with their scrum getting on top set up camp on the Tigers line. Stern defence, not least by the evergreen Simon Bunting, and after several reset scrums, Tigers took a ball against the head. The relieving kick failed to find touch and was run back by the visitors as the pressure continued on the home side. Hooker Thomson was yellow carded for lifting in the tackle and now was the time that Hull needed to score. They were prevented from doing so by a brilliant gathering of a loose ball by Hayter and an equally good lineout steal by Richard Joel. Again Hull attacked, this time with a speedy, mazy run by their left winger, but again they could not finish. Frustration was now getting the
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Ali Thomson Try Run-in
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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better of the experienced Hull pack and they were marched back an extra ten metres on two occasions following back chat to the referee after penalty decisions against them. Their cause was not helped by the continual attempted refereeing of the game from their bench! Back to full numbers Tigers then lost Hayter with a knee injury and this enabled captain Andy Barnes to return for his first home match after a lengthy spell out through injury. West kicked a penalty to the corner and Hull were reduced to fourteen men when a yellow card was issued for a penalty at a Tigers driving maul. Tigers pack then drove the ball for the line wide on the left before it was recycled to the right. Blind side wing Broadley entered the line diagonally at pace and his strength got him to the line despite the attentions of two would be tacklers. West converted for 21-0 and that was the half-time score.
The Tigers supporters who had been to Otley, where the home side had overturned a similar deficit, were still not adding four points to our league total. Tigers started the second half by attacking and a penalty was put into the corner but the opportunity was lost when the ball was knocked on. Hull began to expand their game as they chased the score they needed to get back into the match but strong tackling in the home midfield, led by Jon Buchanan, forced the visitors to kick in order to gain territory. More Hull pressure followed but Tigers defence were up to the task as Dave Price came on for back row Will Smyth who had got through a lot of
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Jonny West Man-of-the-Match
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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hard tackling. When at the other end Barnes showed what he can do and how he has been missed as he burst through tackles and sped towards the posts. His attempted off load went to ground but was not adjudged a knock-on by the referee, Mr Falla (although, again the Hull bench disagreed). Buchanan kicked on and won the race to touch down. West converted for 28-0, and five league points, with twenty minutes left to play. Charlie Cone came off the bench to replace Anthony Ross who had also done an enormous amount of tackling. Ten minutes later Hull got some reward for the effort of their pack when they drove over the Tigers line for Rob Devonshire to score an unconverted try. With five minutes to play the Hull pack and the same player did the same thing to get to ten points. There was still time for replacement Jimmy Pearson (on for Broadley) to show his skill as he drifted between two defenders. His pass was taken by winger Alex Graham who did well to release Swatkins on his outside and he raced in down the touch line to score from fifty metres. West converted for 35-10 and an excellent win. This was an attractive and competitive match to watch with both sides playing good rugby and Tigers thoroughly deserved the five points for a hard working performance up front and exciting play in the backs.
Half term report
Tigers have made an excellent start to life in National 2 North. In every match the team have been competitive. With more luck and decisions in our favour we would have even more points. As it is we sit a mid table tenth in the league with 37 points, ten points above the relegation zone, with six sides below us. Four of those sides have to come to Dore Moor in the second half of the season. Seven matches have been won and ten lost. Nine bonus points have been added to 28 winning points. In terms of points for and against we have a slight deficit and all the sides above, except Hull, have scored more and conceded less. We have scored 53 tries, the fourth most tries of teams in the league and ten more than Huddersfield who are in second place! Two thirds of those tries have been scored by the backs and as many tries have been scored away from home as at Dore Moor. We have only kicked ten penalties, the lowest in the league, but this is partly due to the teams desire to play open, attractive rugby. There have been no red cards but twelve yellow, as against a league average of nine. These have cost us in several matches. Six players have played in all seventeen league games – Gregor Hayter, Jamie Broadley, Jon Buchanan, Jonny West, Sam Cook and Tom Outram. The team are in a position to build on this good start in the remainder of the season which starts at Dore Moor on January 7th 2012 against Harrogate (2pm kick-off).
Finally, on behalf of the spectators, I would like to thank all the players and coaching staff for the entertainment they have provided over the past four months.
Best wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2012.
Man of the match – Jonny West – excellent game control, ball distribution and all five tries converted.
Team – Bunting, Thomson, Ross (Cone), Cook, Joel, Smyth (Price), Pearson N, Hayter(C) (Barnes), Drage, West, Broadley (Pearson J), Buchanan, Outram, Graham, Swatkins
Replacements not used – Wragg
Referee – Wayne Fella
Assistants – Adrian Holmes & Kevan Crawshaw
Report – Nigel Dakin
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10/12/11 - Tigers 1st XV Close Defeat to Another Top Side in National 2 North
Westoe 29 - Sheffield Tigers 21
The home side started the game with a dominant opening few minutes, initially Tigers were penalised when a devastating tackle by Anthony Ross was harshly penalised and home fly-half Mark Bedworth kicked to the corner rather than take three points and it proved the correct decision when from the resultant lineout the Westoe pack drove second-row Younghusband over the line for the first score on three minutes duly converted by Bedworth to take a 7 - 0 lead. The Westoe pack were well in control with the back-row of Duff and Steadman outstanding in the early stages of the game and again providing good ball for Bedworth to take three points on six minutes with a well taken drop goal. Tigers then started to gain some possession and were able to take advantage of the slope with some excellent tactical kicking from fly-half Jonny West. With the game only nine minutes old Sam Cook won fine lineout ball and then Jon Buchanan took the ball up and from the ruck scrum-half Alex Drage fed quick ball to flanker Will Smyth on the charge and from forty metres out he brushed off four or five defenders to score close to the posts, West converting to bring the score to 10 - 7. Tigers were then forced to defend and the home side wasted a couple of chances but stout defending by Drage, Buchanan and full-back Jimmy Pearson kept Tigers in touch. Although the penalty count was heavily in favour of the home side they were unable to breach the Tigers defence. When Tigers eventually won a penalty after twentythree minutes, quick thinking and a quick tap by Gregor Hayter with support from Matt Gidlow allowed West to scamper under the posts and again West converted to give Tigers the lead 14 - 10. The game was being punctuated by a penalty count against both sides which made the game a disjointed spectacle, but on thirtyfour minutes the home side hit back again to take the lead 15 - 14 when hard working flanker Steadman scored after another excellent drive by the home pack. Tigers then produced a scintillating try with the half almost over from a catch and drive by the forwards. The ball was released to the backs and Jamie Broadley entered the line from the blindside and gave the scoring pass to the supporting Buchanan who ran in unopposed, West again converting to give Tigers a 21 - 15 lead as the half-time whistle went.
Tigers had to face the slope in the second half and the home side through Bedworth, who put them deep into Tigers 22 with some excellent touch kicking. From another powerful catch and drive Tigers pulled down the driving maul and Smyth was yellow carded on fortyfive minutes. The visitors were unable to withstand the constant pressure and despite what looked like the Westoe drive had been held up, consultation with the Assistant Referee resulted in Bedworth being awarded a try on fortyeight minutes which he duly converted to take the lead back at 22 - 21. Tigers were competing well despite being down to fourteen men and an excellent break by captain Hayter made some forty metres. This was followed by an exchange of blows which on fiftyfive minutes resulted in Hayter and Westoe wing Phelan being sent to the sin-bin. With Tigers down to thirteen, Westoe threw the ball about and a sweeping move from half-way saw the Westoe points machine Bedworth, on hand to finish the move with a score which he again converted to take extend the lead to 29 - 21. On sixty minutes, Tigers replaced Gidlow with Charlie Cone, Martin Chivers moved to hooker, Alex Graham replaced Jimmy Pearson and Callum MacKenzie replaced Smyth. Tigers began to play their most attractive rugby but were unable to breach the resolute home defence. MacKenzie was only on the field for ten minutes when he was replaced by Club Captain Andrew Barnes for a cameo performance after a long injury lay-off. Tigers mounted attack after attack with Tom Outram very unfortunate when a brilliant break was foiled by an excellent tackle. The match entered the last few minutes with the visitors putting the home side under intense pressure only to be thwarted by excellent defence and were unable add to their points tally. Tigers left the northeast with no points despite having played excellent rugby but with little or no luck in the critical decisions.
Man of the match – Jon Buchanan – fantastic defence and great ball carrying and a try
Team – Chivers, Gidlow (Cone 60), Ross, Cook, Joel, Smyth (MacKenzie 60 (Barnes 72)), Pearson N, Hayter(C), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Graham, Swatkins, Pearson J (Graham 60)
Replacements all used –
Referee – Will Halford
Assistants – Dave Winthrop & Peter Scott
Report – Stuart Headford
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03/12/11 - Tigers 1st XV Climb Another Place in League after Win in National 2 North
Sheffield Tigers 17 - Leicester Lions 6
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Penalty Try
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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The meteorological office certainly got the weather forecast wrong for Dore Moor! A dry day had been predicted but after a morning of rain in Sheffield the rain continued to make for difficult playing conditions for the whole match. For the second week running both sets of backs were confined to a role of largely observing and shivering. First time opponents Leicester Lions kicked-off the first half with the wind in their favour, so much so that the ball went dead. Tigers then proceeded to dominate the first twenty minutes with driving forward play. Unfortunately each time the ball was lost Lions were able to relieve the pressure with long kicks downfield. With Tigers dominant in the scrum Lions were forced to concede several penalties. From yet another offence at a scrum referee Phil Watters lost patience and awarded Tigers a penalty try. Jonny West converted for 7-0 after eighteen minutes. This woke up the Lions who at last had some play in the Tigers half. When Tigers conceded a penalty for holding onto the ball at a ruck the chance to open the visitors account could not be taken as the ball went wide of the posts. Full-back Peter Swatkins did well to tidy up a Lions kick through before his opposite numbers electric run showed that Lions could have a cutting edge if given half a chance. A needless push off the ball gave the Lions the chance to put three points on the board after thirty minutes, which they took, and they reduced the deficit to just one point five minutes later with a second successful kick. Tigers pack were then content to grind the clock down to half-time and take their turn to make use of the elements.
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Jonny West - Penalty
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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The tactics were clear, pen Lions in their twentytwo and pounce on any mistakes! After early pressure on their line Lions managed to drive the ball clear but soon found themselves back on defence. A good incursion by winger Jamie Broadley saw him inject pace into the home three-quarter line and the move was carried on by ubiquitous man of the match Biffo Pearson. When he was forced into touch just ten metres from the try line Tigers then stole Lions lineout ball. The ball went down the home backs and West made a break. The Lions were trying desperately to stop Tigers getting quick ball and were “rewarded” with a yellow card for their illegal efforts. West kicked the penalty for 10-6 after fiftythree minutes. Lions then had a penalty and took the chance to kick to within ten metres of Tigers line for a rare attack. When they eventually lost the ball West put play back on the halfway line. Despite still being a man short Lions were now enjoying their best period of the match. They were having to use their backs more as they chased the score they needed to get back into the match. An attempted long pass was nearly intercepted by Tigers winger Alex Graham but it was no surprise that he could not cling onto the ball in the wet and cold. Tigers now used three substitutes, Charlie Cone replacing Anthony Ross at prop, Matt Gidlow replacing Ali Thomson at hooker
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Gregor Hayter - Try Scorer
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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and Will Smyth coming on for Callum MacKenzie in the back row. Lions, back to full numbers, were now making progress through their forwards. A tap penalty was taken in Tigers twentytwo as the visitors sought the five points they needed to take the lead. However, Tigers defence was up to the task and West cleared to the halfway when the ball was turned over. At that lineout Gregor Hayter stole the Lions throw. West put a grubber through the Lions backs and Broadley was just beaten to the ball by the Lions full-back. He was forced to hold on and the resulting penalty gave Tigers a lineout only five metres out. The initial catch and drive was halted but eventually the ball was driven over the visitors line by the Tigers forwards and Hayter’s touchdown was just reward for his earlier lineout steal. West converted and Tigers were nearly home, if not dry, at 17-6 with seven minutes to play. Gareth Morley and Jimmy Pearson came on for Tom Outram and Swatkins respectively and Tigers were content to allow Lions possession of the ball, but in their own half, until the final whistle.
This was far from a classic encounter and both sides would have preferred conditions in which they could have played a more open version of the game. Tigers showed that they have the pack to compete at this level but credit also goes to the Lions for pushing the home side for nearly the full eighty minutes. The closeness of the score shows that there are no easy fixtures in this league but the denial of a losing bonus point to the Lions may prove priceless come the end of April.
This fixture completed the first half of the season with all fifteen sides having been played. Tigers have won six and lost nine of those matches and stand tenth of the sixteen teams. Next week, in the first of the reverse matches Tigers travel to Westoe for a difficult away fixture, before a home fixture against Hull, the team currently immediately above them in the table.
Man of the match – Nick Pearson– perpetual motion in the tight and the loose
Team – Chivers, Thomson (Gidlow), Ross (Cone), Cook, Joel, MacKenzie (Smyth), Pearson N, Hayter(C), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram (Morley), Graham, Swatkins (Pearson J)
Replacements all used –
Referee – Phil Watters
Assistants – Robert Sawyer and Peter Brudenell
Report – Nigel Dakin |
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26/11/11 - Tigers 1st XV Return from Long Day Out to the Lakes with Win in National 2 North
Kendal 10 - Sheffield Tigers 12
Kendal kicked off with the strong wind in their favour as the rain fell steadily at Mint Bridge. From the start Tigers pack showed the scrum dominance they were to exert throughout the game. On four minutes a strong drive at a scrum gave scrum-half Alex Drage good ball, if it could ever be called that on a wet, cold and muddy afternoon! He passed to Jonny West who then fed a short ball to Jamie Broadley. His pace took him clear of the defence and as he drew the full-back his well timed pass enabled full back Peter Swatkins to race in. West converted for 7-0. Two minutes later Mark Ireland kicked a penalty to reduce the lead. Kendal continued to use the elements to play the game in the Tigers half but the Tiger defence was superb. Excellent tackles by Mark Chivers, Sam Cook and Tom Outram stopped Kendal attacks and when Tigers had the ball hooker Ali Thomson was always to the fore. Drage tackled like a demon around the ruck and cleaned up bad ball when needed. Whenever the frequent knock ons and spilled ball occurred number eight and skipper Gregor Hayter lead by example with good pick ups and strong drives from the base of the scrum. Three attempted penalties were missed by Kendal’s Ireland, on a difficult afternoon for kickers, as the home side sought desperately to turn their territory and possession into points. Most of the half Tigers forwards were content to drive the ball those few hard yards but some ball was let out to the cold hands of the backs. From one of these Peter Swatkins made a break but his kick ahead was just cleared up by a scrambling home defence. Tigers were also starting to nick the odd Kendal throw in at the lineout. The half ended with the score still 7-3 to Tigers. The visitors resilient defence with all fifteen players “fronting up” had weathered both the elements and the Kendal attacks. The home side had been limited to possession in the Tigers half but well short of the try line. Now it was Tigers turn to see if they could do better and close out the match.
The second half saw Tigers re-emerge from the changing room in their change strip white shirts. They were neither white nor dry for long as the rain continued to fall and the pitch began to have areas of standing water. West was using possession to drill the ball deep into Kendal territory and Tigers were opting for reset scrummages as Kendal repeatedly conceded penalties at the scrum. Following a succession of drives second rower Cook powered over from close range to score after only four minutes of the second half. Kendal fought back as they realised this eight point match for two teams near the foot of the table was slipping away from them. It was their turn now to try to run the possession they won. However, the hands of numbers nine to fifteen were colder and handling moves even more difficult than earlier. Tigers were content to set up camp inside the Kendal twentytwo and put remorseless pressure on the home defence with forward drives. One passage of play of at least a dozen phases saw Tigers move fifty metres cross field but only twenty metres forwards. Nick Pearson was replaced by Will Smyth and Callum MacKenzie by Frank Wragg. At last Kendal got out of their own half and when Tigers failed to roll away at a ruck Ireland’s penalty kick found touch inside Tigers twentytwo. A clean catch allowed young replacement prop Glen Chesher to “show and go” and cross the line for a seven pointer. It was now 12-10 with all to play for and ten minutes of the match left. Again Tigers made camp in the Kendal half but the home pack were not finished as one last effort saw them drive forty yards up field. It was to be their last threat as Tigers closed out the match for a deserved victory. The home side deserved their losing bonus point and Tigers certainly deserved their four points as they were the stronger team throughout the eighty minutes. The points lifted Tigers two places up the league and above Leicester Lions who are the visitors to Dore Moor this Saturday. Thanks must be expressed to Roger Wilson, the Kendal president, for his excellent hospitality and to the referee for his sympathetic handling of the game. This ensured that both players and spectators had as an enjoyable match as was possible in the difficult conditions.
Footnote – The committee members who made the long trip to Kendal on the team coach would like to thank the players for making the twelve hour day pass so quickly. The day will go down in the annals in a similar way to the Rochdale match of a few years ago, when the coach broke down on the return trip to Sheffield and we were all stranded in the cold for three hours! This time the trip to Kendal took three and a half hours as we went via Bradford and then had ample chance to admire the scenic villages and drumlins of the Aire valley. It was decided to come the “quicker” way back via the M6 and M62. Four and a half hours later we were back in Sheffield having viewed the nocturnal delights of Halifax owing to the east bound M62 being closed due to an accident! I personally would like to thank Biffo and Tom for their good humour throughout the return trip. Biffo endured, in good spirit, incessant ribbing from Alick for being put on his backside from an attempted tackle in the first minute and additionally then dropping three passes (most un Biffo-like). Tom took well the jibes about him eventually getting a dirty shirt (in fairness it was as the result of an excellent tackle). Thanks also to Stuart for the food and to Rebecca for being the one thing of beauty on the trip (apart from the drumlins, of course, if you are a geographer!)
Man of the match – Ali Thomson. High work rate and strong carries of the ball
Team – Chivers (Cone), Thomson (Gidlow), Burke-Flynn, Cook, Joel, Mackenzie (Wragg), Pearson N (Smyth), Hayter, Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Graham, Swatkins
Replacements not used – Wright
Referee – Matthew Daubney
Assistants –
Report – Nigel Dakin
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19/11/11 - Tigers 1st XV Give 2nd Placed Caldy a Fright in National 2 North Defeat
Sheffield Tigers 19 - Caldy 29
Caldy arrived for their first ever visit to Dore Moor in second place in the league and left in the same position having secured five points in a hard earned victory. The result was harsh on a Tigers side that fought back well in the last quarter and were only denied at least a deserved losing bonus point by strong Caldy defence.
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Mark Chivers - Try
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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Caldy started with the sun at their backs and scored a fine try in the first minute. Lineout ball on the half-way line went down the backs and quick inter passing out wide enabled full-back Roberts to cross untouched for a converted try. Tigers then had a penalty kick to the corner but the ball was lost and from the break out scrum-half Alex Drage had to put in two brave tackles to halt the visitors advance. After a passage of broken play Tigers broke swiftly down the left and prop Mark Chivers was on hand with excellent support to pick up and score. A good conversion by Jonny West levelled the scores on thirteen minutes. Four minutes later, following a Tigers forward pass, Caldy used a set piece move to carve a huge hole in the home defence and add seven more points to their total. At this stage it looked as if the visitors could run away with the match with Tigers having to repeatedly tackle as Caldy recycled the ball to maintain their pressure. Tigers were finding it hard to make headway in the face of strong tackling and Caldy were working Tigers hard in the scrummage where Royce Burke-Flynn was making his debut. A strong run down the middle of the pitch
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Jon Buchanan - Man-of-the-Match
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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by winger Jamie Broadley seemed to lift Tigers. Caldy were forced to give away penalties at the ruck but the Tigers lineout was not functioning in its normally efficient manner. Then with five minutes to play till half-time man of the match Jon Buchanan produced a moment of brilliance. He powered between two defenders, handed off a third would-be tackler and linked with fellow centre Tom Outram. His well timed pass gave full-back Peter Swatkins the space he needed to race in but the conversion that would again have tied the scores went wide. Back came Caldy and with only a minute till half-time a penalty enabled them to kick to the corner. Their lineout was well stolen by Gregor Hayter but unfortunately West’s attempted clearance kick was charged down and Caldy scored an unconverted try to make the half time score 19-12 in their favour.
Tigers began the second half using the ball in the backs whenever they had it. However, soon after a home attack broke down due to a forward pass Caldy scored. With the referee playing advantage a lovely off load opened up Tigers defence for a try near the posts. The conversion made it 26-12 after fortyeight minutes and the game seemed to be rapidly slipping away from Tigers. Two replacements were made, Ali Thomson coming on for Matt Gidlow at hooker and Jimmy Pearson replacing West at stand-off. Tigers at last managed to retain possession of the ball for several phases and Jimmy Pearson and Buchanan released Callum MacKenzie for the line. Sadly his potential scoring pass to the wing was judged forward. This spurred on Tigers and the crowd at last began to lift their team. A poor Caldy clearance kick was run back
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Royce Burke-Flynn, Matt Gidlow & Mark Chivers
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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by Swatkins and after three quick passes Thomson sprinted in from twenty metres to score a fine try. Alex Graham converted and Tigers were within a score of Caldy with twentyfour minutes left to play. Tigers were now having the better of the exchanges with Caldy having to defend grimly. As the pressure increased so did the visitors error count. A high tackle resulted in a yellow card for the Caldy full-back and then hands at a ruck at last exhausted the referees patience and saw a second Caldy player in the bin. The game was now there for the winning with the visitors reduced to thirteen men. The immediate opportunity to again press the Caldy line with a catch and drive was not taken as an attempted penalty kick to the corner went dead. Tigers were now spreading the ball wide but without really committing the thirteen man defence so that it was allowed to drift and so prevent the try scoring overlap which should have been created. Worse was that Caldy were also managing to turn over Tigers possession in contact. After a long spell of pressure on their line the visitors knew that victory was within sight and they summoned up one last forward effort to drive the ball into Tigers half. Here they were content to run down the last minutes. Disastrously for Tigers in added time they were then penalised at the ruck and a forty metre penalty robbed them of the losing bonus point they so deserved for a magnificent fight back against a strong well organised Caldy outfit.
This was the fourth defeat on the trot for Tigers and the fourth defeat this season when Tigers have got back into a match and could then have kicked on to win it. While this seems a criticism, the truth is that the four defeats (against Harrogate, Nuneaton, Huddersfield and Caldy) have all been against sides that have been at this or a higher level for some time. As Tigers young squad gain experience it is to be hoped that they will learn how to close out tight matches by being patient, retaining possession and waiting for the opposition to make a mistake instead of trying to force the extra pass. On Saturday the team travel to Kendal for what already starts to look like an eight point fixture with just six points separating second from bottom Kendal and fourth from bottom Tigers.
Man of the match – Jon Buchanan– strong runs and good use of the ball
Team – Chivers, Gidlow (Thomson), Burke-Flynn, Cook, Joel, MacKenzie, Pearson N, Hayter, Drage, West (Pearson J), Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Graham, Swatkins
Replacements not used – Ross, Morley, Smyth
Referee – Jonathan Healey
Assistants – Lionel Spooner and Thomas White
Report – Nigel Dakin |
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12/11/11 - Tigers 1st XV Resolute Defence Not Enough in National 2 North Defeat
Loughborough Students 26 - Sheffield Tigers 10
A moustache sporting Tigers team travelled to Loughborough for what promised to be a tough encounter against the top of the league Students. The university campus provided the setting for the first ever encounter between the teams. Tigers kicked-off in their changed strip, but it was the Students who took the early initiative, dominating possession for long periods. Tigers were forced to defend, but the Students could not find a way to break down a determined defensive unit who proved effective at disrupting play and forcing errors. On fourteen minutes, the Students failed to take an opportunity for the lead when fly-half Stuart Hill pushed a penalty wide. Nine minutes later the home team were awarded another penalty after an adjudged high tackle by Matt Gidlow, this time Hill slotted the penalty to give the Students a 3-0 lead. A period of play saw both teams enjoying spells of expansive attacking endeavour, but Tigers struggled to retain possession and build multiple phases. On thiryfive minutes, a rare trip into the opposition half saw an attacking move by Tigers illegally spoiled by the Loughborough pack, Jonny West duly kicked the penalty to bring the scores level. With only minutes left in the half, the Students regained possession and drove hard into the Tigers 22m, after an excellent break by scrum-half Russell Weir, an almost certain try was only thwarted by some excellent last ditch tackling on the line by Nick Pearson. The sides went into the break level at 3-3, with Tigers very much still in the game.
As the music of LMFAO reverberated around the campus, the youthful crowd anticipated an improved second half performance. Again it was the Students who started the brightest and on fortythree minutes a penalty against Tigers at the scrum saw Hill slot the ball for a 3 point lead. After a missed Loughborough penalty, it was Tigers who took the initiative and drove hard into the opposition half with runners making dints in the Students’ defence. Quick recycling of the ball eventually saw Sam Cook held up just short and the subsequent chance of adding to the score was squandered. On fifyfive minutes after a turnover in their half, Tigers failed to clear their lines and conceded a penalty. Up stepped Hill to make it 9-3. Two minutes later, another penalty was conceded for obstruction and the Students extended their lead to 12-3. Tigers were struggling to keep hold of the ball and continued to invite pressure from errors and turnovers. The game had to wait till the sixtyfifth minute for the first try, when after Tigers conceded another penalty on their 10m line, a quick tap saw Weir make a break and feed William Simpson who finished well. The conversion was added to make it 19-3. Tigers responded almost immediately and from a lineout on the 22m, the ball was passed wide to winger Jamie Broadley who stepped his man and drove over the line on seventytwo minutes. West converted to bring Tigers within 9 points at 19-10. Going into the last five minutes, the superior fitness of the Students saw them break a tired Tigers defence in midfield, move the ball to the wing before feeding full-back Craig Holland to score under the posts. The extras were added to make the final score 26-10 to the Students.
Tigers will be disappointed not to take anything from the game, but will be buoyed by a resolute defensive effort against the league leaders. Next week Tigers welcome second placed Caldy to Dore Moor, knowing the same level of commitment will be needed against the in form Cheshire outfit.
Team – Cone (Ross 70), Gidlow (Thomson 52), Chivers, Cook, Joel, Hayter(C), MacKenzie (Smyth 70), Pearson N, Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram (Morley 65), Graham, Swatkins
Replacements not used – Barnes
Referee – Dave Edmunds
Assistants –
Report – Andy Barnes
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05/11/11 - Tigers 1st XV Losing Bonus Point in National 2 North Defeat
Sheffield Tigers 14 - Huddersfield 18
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Jonny West - Break
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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The visit of Huddersfield saw the first of the winter 2:15pm kick offs on a grey, dank but mild afternoon at Dore Moor. Both sides at first found ball handling difficult but Huddersfield managed to recycle possession better. When the Huddersfield stand-off Chris Johnson kicked for position, Tigers attempted to drive lineout ball out of defence, only to be driven into touch. The visitors lineout was good and their number eight Nick Sharpe drove over from close range for a 5-0 lead after only six minutes. A break by Peter Swatkins was continued by Callum MacKenzie and Huddersfield just managed to prevent a score. Jonny West put more pressure on the visitors defence with a fifty metre kick to the corner but again Huddersfield defended strongly. The visitors established an early advantage in the scrum that was to last throughout the match and from a resulting penalty the boot of Johnson took play to half-way. Good tackles from Gregor Hayter, Ali Thomson and Charlie Cone stopped Huddersfield before the Tigers achilles heel once again appeared, namely conceding a penalty at a ruck. Johnson gladly took the three points on fifteen minutes. Back came Tigers with a run by Swatkins and when the pack won good ball near the Huddersfield line four minutes later, there was space wide out left for Nick Pearson to canter in for an easy five pointer (despite the score board showing four points!) which West made into seven with his conversion. More Tigers pressure followed but a knock-on saw the opportunity wasted. Another penalty at a ruck removed yet more pressure on the visitors before another knock-on after a good drive by Sam Cook lost another attacking opportunity. Then out of nowhere came a fine Tigers score. Swatkins made ground down Tigers left with an outside arching run before releasing
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Peter Swatkins - Try Scorer
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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winger Jamie Broadley. As he hit the full-back his well timed pass back inside to Swatkins freed him to race in and score. West converted for 14-8 on thirty minutes. The last ten minutes of the first half were not a good advert for rugby with an exchange of high kicks in the middle of the pitch and little to threaten either try line.
The second half started with Tigers conceding yet another penalty and with their scrum under pressure. Cone was replaced by Anthony Ross and Steve Pearson by Richard Joel, the latter having been out for several weeks with a knee problem. The Huddersfield coaching staff were still attempting to referee the game from the dug-out, but thankfully the referee was enforcing his interpretation of the laws. Huddersfield were now having the better of the territory with their limited but effective ten man rugby game plan and Tigers were being forced to defend. Strong counter rucking by Joel and Hayter broke up one attack and then Tigers attacked. Cook made a break but was late tackled and the penalty was put into the visitors twentytwo. However, two poor passes saw the ball knocked-on and the threat come to nothing. A break by scrum-half Drage took the ball into the Huddersfield twentytwo but again the ball was lost. Huddersfield were now exerting considerable pressure on Tigers. Their cause was helped when Tigers again knocked-on when attempting to drive the ball out of their own twentytwo. This led to the visitors setting up camp on the Tigers try line. After several drives came the turning point of the match. Prop Mark Chivers was somewhat harshly penalised for not rolling away at a ruck. At first Johnson looked as if he would kick the three points but when the referee produced his yellow card the scrum option was taken and after severe pressure the same player burst through to score a seven pointer for a one point lead to Huddersfield with twelve minutes to play. At last Tigers were awarded a penalty which took play to fifteen metres from the Huddersfield line. Again the ball was knocked-on and Johnson cleared to touch. The Huddersfield pack now ran down the clock by controlling the ball and after several recycles were awarded a penalty with two minutes left. Johnsons successful kick was the final score of the match.
This was not an attractive match. The visitors came with a game plan that did not incorporate much open rugby. However, the previous experience of their pack in this league enabled them to win by four points. Tigers were left to rue too many mistakes and knock-ons they made in regularly turning over hard won possession. The yellow card again cost the home side points that were the difference between a win and a loss. This was compounded by the six further points kicked from penalties at the ruck, which together gave thirteen easy points to the visitors. Until the discipline improves it will be hard to turn these close run matches into wins. Next week sees a first ever visit to top of the league Loughborough Students for a 2pm kick-off.
Man of the match – Sam Cook – strong tackling and good drives with the ball
Team – Chivers, Thomson, Cone (Ross), Cook, Pearson S (Joel), MacKenzie, Pearson N, Hayter(C), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Graham, Swatkins
Replacements not used – Gidlow, Morley, Smyth
Referee – Wayne Falla
Assistants – Craig Lord and Peter Brudenell
Report – Nigel Dakin |
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29/10/11 - Tigers 1st XV Gain 4 Try Bonus Point in National 2 North Defeat
Otley 46 - Sheffield Tigers 28
This was Tigers first ever league visit to Otley, although they had narrowly lost in a Yorkshire Cup match on a previous visit in the early 2000s. It was to prove a strange match with penalties and yellow cards costing Tigers dearly. The first penalty was after only one minute and Darion Naylor opened the Otley account with three points. Tigers responded immediately with good recycling and a short ball from scrum half Alex Drage enabled Callum MacKenzie to power over from short range on four minutes. Jonny West added the extras. Tigers were playing with confidence, even choosing to run the ball when inside their own twentytwo. All this did was to present Otley with the ball when Tigers knocked-on. When another penalty was conceded a kick to the corner put more pressure on Tigers defence, but good work gained a turnover and allowed the visitors to get into the Otley half. When the Otley scrum was turned through ninety degrees Tigers gained the put in. Quick ball from Drage went via Jon Buchanan to Alex Graham. His well timed pass as he hit the full-back created Tigers second try as winger Jamie Broadley raced in after poor Otley marking. West again converted for 14-3 on eleven minutes. Otley came back strongly but Tigers were defending well at this stage and won good line-out and scrum ball. A quick transfer of the ball down the backs saw Broadley cut inside and head for the posts but he was tackled just short after beating four defenders. From the recycling the same player was determined to score as he crashed over. West made it 21-3 on twentythree minutes. From then on it became a different story. Back came Otley to score a converted try only two minutes later after Tigers left defensive gaps on their left. The game was now very open, with Tigers looking to use their backs whenever possible and Otley driving strongly around the fringes of rucks. Slowly the Otley pack was getting more of the ball and when they were awarded a scrum, following not straight at a Tigers line-out, good play saw ex Tigers prop Jonathan McMillan score. The conversion cut the lead to just four points with ten minutes of the half left to play. Otley were now confident and Tigers first up tackles were being missed and the defence looked brittle. The exception to this was a shuddering tackle by Nick Pearson to halt an attack but then Tom Outram was yellow carded at a ruck. Immediately Otley created space to score an unconverted try wide out and take the lead. The half ended with Tigers surprisingly behind at 22-21 but with only themselves to blame.
Half time saw Tigers replace props Simon Bunting and Charlie Cone with Mark Chivers and Anthony Ross. The half started with MacKenzie stopping an Otley attack by tackling an Otley winger into touch with Tigers still a man down. Then a quick tap by Gregor Hayter enabled him and then Pearson to make good ground before sadly the ball was lost. The same two players then repeated the move, again losing the ball as Tigers were trying to force the game. With the lead Otley started to kick for territory. Otley were now playing with a lot of confidence but Tigers defence had improved. Steve Pearson replaced Will Smyth in the pack before the turning point of the match. An Otley penalty was kicked to the corner and at the subsequent driving maul skipper Hayter was yellow carded. Immediately Otley scored with back rower Daniel Temm completing his hat trick. The conversion gave Otley an eight point advantage with twentytwo minutes left. Now it was all Otley pressure on a creaking Tigers defence. On sixtyfour minutes more missed tackles let Otley add a further five points to the lead. This spurred Tigers into attack mode again and their scrum at last put some pressure on Otley on their own line. A wide pass from West put in Broadley for his hat trick and a good conversion from the touch line reduced the lead to only six points at 34-28 with nine minutes to play. Could Tigers sneak the match? Sadly, that was the last Tigers score but there was still time for Otley to add two more tries and one conversion before the final whistle.
This was a good game to watch, as have all the fixtures been in this tough league. Tigers started well, perhaps too well, but credit must be given to an adventurous, attack minded Otley side that out gunned Tigers up front and dominated possession in the second half. With long term injuries to two key forwards the season does not get any easier in the next three weeks as Tigers face Huddesfield at Dore Moor next Saturday before matches against the top two sides, Loughborough Students away and Caldy at home.
Man of the match – Jamie Broadley – for lethal finishing bringing him a hat trick of tries and taking him to second leading try scorer in the league.
Team – Cone (Ross), Thomson, Bunting (Chivers), Cook, Hayter(C), MacKenzie, Pearson N, Smyth (Pearson S), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Morley, Graham
Replacements not used – Wragg, Clark
Referee – B Fitzmaurice
Assistants – D. Sawyer and P. Brudenell
Report – Nigel Dakin
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22/10/11 - Tigers 1st XV 8 Tries in National 2 North Home Win
Sheffield Tigers 48 - Hull Ionians 18
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Alex Graham - Try Scorer
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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Seven days after their superb performance at Stockport the team continued in the same manner with the backs in particular producing some outstanding tries. Tigers kicked off with the breeze in their favour and the bright sun in Ionians eyes. A lot of first half points were vital. This did not look likely for the first ten minutes as Ionians dominated early possession and it needed a good tackle from Tigers full-back Peter Swatkins to deny them a try. After thirteen minutes Tigers struck from a lineout. Jamie Broadley entered the line from his blind side wing and burst through the Ionians defence. Two quick passes later and right winger Alex Graham had scored for Jonny West to convert. Tigers were looking dangerous whenever the backs got the ball, but the pack were having to work hard to counter strong running around the edges of the ruck area from the Ionians forwards. After twenty minutes the ball went down the Tigers backs and centre Tom Outram’s pace enabled him to go outside his opposition marker for a second Tigers try, again converted by West. Ionians continued to press and six minutes later, when Tigers conceded a penalty at a ruck near their own posts, Glenn Boyd opened Ionians account. This was a good outcome for Tigers as prior to that Ionians thought they had crossed the line for a try, but this was not awarded. The Tigers forwards were now picking up the pace and beginning to match Ionians forward effort, but still the short off loading game was creating holes in the Tigers defence. Swatkins had to leave the field with an injury to be replaced at full-back by Graham with Gareth Morley coming onto the wing. An excellent tackle by Gregor Hayter only resulted in a penalty to Ionians and Boyd reduced the lead by a further three points after thirtyfour minutes. This further encouraged Ionians and it needed a very
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Alex Drage - Man of the Match
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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good cover tackle on a big Ionians forward by scrum-half Alex Drage to check another break. West was using the wind well to get field position but several penalties conceded helped Ionians to prevent any pressure building on their defence. Just as the crowd were thinking that the side had not scored enough first half points Tigers scored a stunning try. From a lineout steal on the halfway line (after Tigers had conceded the penalty) the ball was taken forward at pace and deft handling by Nick Pearson, Callum MacKenzie and hooker Ali Thomson got Tigers to the visitors try line. Recycling brought the ball left and an inside pass by Outram enabled Broadley to sail in and score. West again converted for 21-6 on thirtynine minutes. There was still time for a fourth try scoring opportunity to be missed by over elaboration, but at half time Tigers could feel very satisfied with their first half performance. Ionians deserved more for the fact that they had the majority of the possession and territory, but they created few scoring chances against a resolute home defence.
All this changed early in the second half. Tigers had substituted Charlie Cone for Anthony Ross at prop and debutant back rower Will Smyth for Steve Pearson with skipper Hayter moving into the second-row. When Tigers failed to clean up the kick off by Ionians the home side were immediately on the defensive. A penalty kick at goal was turned down in favour of a kick to the corner. Several Ionians forward drives were well defended and when the visitors knocked-on it looked as if the threat had been stemmed. However, Before the new pack arrangements had time to settle the Tigers scrum found itself propelled rapidly over their own line for an easy pick up and score by Ionains back rower Joe Saunders. The lead was now cut to 21-11 after only five minutes of the second half. Tigers responded in similar style on fifty minutes. A penalty to the corner and resultant catch and drive found second row Sam Cook credited with the five points. Four minutes later the Tigers backs created another marvellous try. The pace of Broadley took the play from deep in Tigers half into the Ionians half. His pass to Graham enabled him to make further metres. The ball was then recycled quickly right and the omnipresent MacKenzie powered through yet another space in the Ionians midfield to touch down. The conversion was wide and so the score was now 31-11 to Tigers after fiftyfour minutes. Sam Whitworth replaced Thomson at hooker and Jamie Clark came onto the wing with Broadley moving to centre for Outram. Ionians were now beginning to struggle and
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Jamie Broadley - Double Try Scorer
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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Tigers pace was making them look leaden footed. A break by West on the left was followed by a dummy and change of pace to burst through the Ionians defence for a fine individual try near the posts. He converted for 38-11 on sixtyfive minutes. Ross came back on following an injury to Simon Bunting just in time to see Ionians right winger Gary Stephenson presented with an opportunity by Tigers to race in from the halfway line. Boyd converted for 38-18 with twelve minutes left. The folly of Ionians replacing their starting hooker and prop was now evident as Tigers scrum became dominant. A Tigers scrum against the head saw good runs by Nick Pearson and Jon Buchanan before West again had the ball in his hands. His dummy was bought by his opposite number and once through the defensive line his neat offload saw the ever supporting Broadley score with only minutes left. There was still time for two more breaks by the rampaging Buchanan, the first resulting in his pass not being collected when a try was certain, and the second on full time which he finished himself to take the score to 48-18 at fulltime.
This was a good performance showing a sound scrum, good lineout and improving work at the breakdown. Equally important was the cutting edge again shown by the backs and it was pleasing to see the returning confidence of stand-off Jonny West, who had a good game. Next Saturday Tigers travel to Yorkshire rivals Otley for a first ever league meeting.
Man of the match – Alex Drage – excellent service and fearless tackling.
Team – Ross (Cone), Thomson (Whitworth), Bunting, Pearson S (Smyth), Cook, Pearson N, MacKenzie, Hayter(C), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram( Clark), Graham, Swatkins (Morley)
Replacements all used –
Referee – Marcus Caton
Assistants – Darren Beeden & Peter Scott
Report – Nigel Dakin
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15/10/11 - Tigers 1st XV Hold Out For Away Win in National 2 North
Stockport 20 - Sheffield Tigers 23
Tigers came back from Stockport with a thoroughly deserved four points after a match in which the young players, especially the front-row, really stepped up to the mark. Still missing four of the senior players through injury the fixture looked daunting as the home side had won away at Westoe the previous Saturday. Tigers started impressively with a good pick up and break from the base of a scrum by number eight Gregor Hayter. An early penalty was kicked to the corner and after the pack drove for the line scrum-half Alex Drage was only just denied a try as he attempted to dive over. From the resultant scrum the ball went to stand-off Jonny West. He fed winger Jamie Broadley running an excellent line for the posts to score. West converted for 7-0 after just six minutes. Soon after the restart good drives by Sam Cook and Ali Thomson gave Tigers ball going forward and time for centre Tom Outram to release Broadley outside his winger. Broadley won the race to touch down his chip ahead for his second try in four minutes and take the lead to twelve points. Immediately Josh Longmore kicked a penalty after Thomson had been yellow carded for an offence at a ruck. Sam Whitworth replaced Thomson in the front-row with Steve Pearson being withdrawn for the ten minutes. Now with an extra man Stockport came strongly into the game. Two drives over the Tigers try line could not be touched down by Stockport due to good defence, with winger Alex Graham getting under the second one. More scrums followed in Tigers twentytwo as Stockport hammered away at the Tigers line. A kickable penalty was declined in favour of another scrum, and how costly that was to prove after eighty minutes. At last Stockport knocked-on and from the scrum Nick Pearson picked up and ran the ball to the twentytwo for West to find a relieving touch on halfway. Back came Stockport again only for Callum MacKenzie to clear up from another attack by the home side. Tigers firm, well organised defence was now keeping Stockport to recycling their ball near the half-way line. When the Tigers backs did get the ball they proceeded to play some scintillating and pacy attacking rugby. Excellent handling by Jon Buchanan got the ball to the supporting MacKenzie who dummied and burst through the home defence to score wide out and increase Tigers lead to fourteen points after twentynine minutes. While the home supporters seemed to lose heart with this score it only had the effect of galvanising the home team. Several Tigers penalties served to help the home cause and the power of the home pack again took play deep into Tiger territory. A powerful Stockport thirty metre driving maul was well defended by Tigers but with half-time only two minutes away the home side at last turned pressure into points. After three attempts by their forwards prop Anthony Craig eventually forced his way over for a try and Longmore narrowed the deficit to seven points. A good restart by Tigers saw Stockport fail to clean up loose ball and concede a penalty for a high tackle. West added the three points for a half-time score of 20-10.
The second half was going to be a question of whether Tigers forwards would be able to continue to compete with the Stockport pack and whether the Stockport backs would be able to improve their defence. Tigers again started strongly. A penalty kick at goal was declined after a Tigers backs move and the ball was put into the corner. However, the lineout was lost and Stockport proceeded to go the length of the field and only last ditch defence saved a try. As the pressure mounted Tigers were caught offside under their own posts and Longmore reduced the lead to seven points on fiftysix minutes. Tigers then replaced forward Steve Pearson with Frank Wragg. Excellent passing saw Broadley nearly complete his hat trick but he was just held up. Another Tigers penalty kick at the posts was declined in favour of a scrum and after several drives a Stockport forward was yellow carded for killing the ball at a ruck. This time West was instructed to take the three points on sixtyfour minutes. Despite being a man down Stockport were continuing to look dangerous. When Tigers decided not to compete at a lineout they found themselves mauled backwards before having to concede a penalty. A very good tackle was needed from Outram to prevent a try as Stockport looked to spin the ball wide. The pressure was continuing to mount as the home side pressed to reduce the lead. When Tigers were again penalised the ball was put into the corner and after a catch and drive back rower Nick Smith scored. Longmore converted and the lead was down to three points with eight minutes left to play at 23-20 to Tigers. Tigers came back strongly and were unlucky when after an excellent passing move by the backs a try was disallowed for at most a marginally forward pass. Tigers now pressed the Stockport line to score the try that would secure the win. After trying to barge their way over the Stockport line, rather than trust their superior backs, the ball was eventually lost and Stockport had possession and a chance to win the match. The last two minutes were spent in the Tigers twentytwo with Tigers defending. Well as they did defend, the team were delighted as twice the replacement Stockport stand-off chose to chip the ball aimlessly into the arms of a defender rather than keep it in hand. Peter Swatkins and Graham were delighted to catch and put the ball into touch to secure an excellent away win at the end of an exciting and entertaining match.
This was a very hard earned victory fashioned on excellent defence by everyone, with the pack resilient all match and the backs denying any space to the home three quarters. Special note must go to Tigers young front row of Charlie Cone, Alistair Thomson and Anthony Ross for the way in which they gave as good as they got against an experienced Stockport front row. The win lifts the team two league places to eleventh. Next week Tigers are at home to Hull Ionians, currently the bottom placed club.
Man of the match – The whole team for a tremendous effort over the full eighty minutes.
Team – Ross, Thomson (Whitworth), Cone, Pearson S (Wragg), Cook, Pearson N(C), MacKenzie, Hayter, Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Graham, Swatkins
Replacements not used – Ramsden, Clark, Holmes
Referee – Andrew Vertigan
Assistants – Tom White & Peter Scott
Report – Nigel Dakin
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08/10/11 - Tigers 1st XV Home Defeat to Preston Grasshoppers in National 2 North
Sheffield Tigers 17 - Preston Grasshoppers 30
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Jon Buchanan - Break
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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Preston Grasshoppers first ever visit to Dore Moor was greeted by a cessation of the drizzle that had fallen all morning. Tigers kicked off for what could be a hard afternoon with four of the regular starters from their pack missing. On the positive side credit to centre Jon Buchanan for playing despite the nine stitches in his head from the Nuneaton match last week. Solid recycling gave Tigers an early chance on the left. Then a good tackle by Nick Pearson at the base of a ruck forced Preston to concede a penalty and Jonny West opened the home account with three points after just four minutes. From the restart Preston were level when following a knock-on in their twentytwo a Tigers player stupidly kicked the ball away. Holroyd added the three points. Back came Tigers with more pressure and Hoppers then entered from the side at a ruck to enable West to restore the three point advantage after ten minutes. It was to be a short lived lead and the last time that Tigers were ahead. After good defensive work by fullback Peter Swatkins and scrumhalf Alex Drage, two penalties, for offside in the fourteenth minute and not rolling away from the ruck area in the sixteenth minute saw Holroyd add six easy points to the visitors score. Swatkins then kicked Tigers into the Preston twentytwo only for a somewhat harsh penalty to be awarded to the visitors to relieve the pressure. Worse soon followed when yet another penalty by Tigers at a ruck presented Holroyd with a further three points after just a quarter of the match. Tigers were doing well in the line-out but both sides were making mistakes. A poor clearance kick by the home side saw pressure back on Tigers, only for Preston to be adjudged offside and Tigers able to clear. Then came a try from nothing. Left winger Jamie Broadley entered the line from his blind side wing. He scythed through the Preston centre before giving an inside pass to right winger Alex Graham who had intelligently cut inside to score, 11- 12 after twentyseven minutes. Preston were now starting to have plenty of possession and
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Jonny West - Penalty
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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Tigers were being forced to play off scrappy ball. With five minutes till half-time came the turning point of the match. A long kick downfield by Preston saw two Tigers defenders not take the ball on the full. After bouncing twenty metres further towards the Tigers line the attempted clearance kick to touch was caught (on the full!) by the Preston right wing Hughes. He raced from halfway beating two defenders to score a fine try. Holroyd was successful with the conversion for 11-19. A minute later and Tigers conceded their fourth set of three points at the ruck. Centre Tom Outram then had a good run into the Preston half only for support to be slow and him to be penalised for holding on. Half time came with Tigers down 11-22. Without the twelve penalty points they would have held a one point lead.
Tigers started the second half on the attack and after just two minutes West reduced the lead by two points when this time the referee penalised Preston at the ruck. Preston showed their disagreement with the next decision and found themselves marched back ten metres. A good move down the Tigers backs followed before yet another penalty conceded at a ruck, again by Preston. West’s attempt at three points went wide. Now Preston were kicking tactically for territory. A catch and drive by the visitors was well defended by Tigers before a passage of play around the half-way line, only interrupted by aerial exchanges. A Tigers attack broke down when the forwards were stripped of the ball during an attempted driving maul. By now the ruck area was a total lottery and in a bid to at last sort out this area of play Outram was yellow carded on sixtyone minutes. Holroyd added three points to the
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Charlie Cone - Charge
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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visitors tally. Stephen Pearson replaced Frank Wragg in the pack just in time for yet another penalty at the ruck, this time to Tigers. West added the points for 17-25 and Tigers were still in the game. Tigers then took a scrum against the head and with good handling were pressing. Again Preston were forced to concede a penalty. The kick at goal was turned down in favour of a kick to the corner. A good catch and drive followed, but unfortunately the ball was lost with the line in sight and Preston broke out from their own line. Good handling and running before a final grubber kick resulted in a seventysixth minute race to touch down won by Preston centre McKenna in the opposite corner to extend the visitors lead to 17-30. That was the final score and despite pressing hard for the last four minutes Tigers could not get the converted try they needed to earn a losing bonus point.
Although the final score and loss are disappointing, full credit goes to the Tigers players for the way in which they stuck to their task for the full eighty minutes against a well organised and most competent Preston side.
Man of the match – Gregor Hayter for tireless effort and leadership by example all afternoon.
Team – Ross, Thomson, Cone, Hayter(C), Cook, Pearson N, MacKenzie, Wragg (Pearson S), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Graham, Swatkins
Replacements not used – Clark, Cutts, Morley, Whitworth
Referee – Karl Kirkpatrick
Assistants – Tom White & Stephen Gammage
Report – Nigel Dakin |
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01/10/11 - Tigers 1st XV Gain 2 Bonus Points in National 2 North Defeat at Nuneaton
Nuneaton 26 - Sheffield Tigers 22
Tigers travelled to Nuneaton for the first time without injury victims Jon Feeley, Richard Joel and Matt Gidlow. The day was more suited to cricket than rugby with the added twist of playing in a football stadium on a wonderful playing surface. Tigers started poorly with a knock-on from the kick-off quickly followed by one from Nuneaton, an uninspiring start by both sides. Tigers then got into their stride and an early intervention into the line by full-back Peter Swatkins gave Tigers good field position and from the lineout Tigers stole the ball and on two minutes the home side were penalised at the ruck but Jonny West was unable to convert the penalty from the touchline. Nuneaton then turned on the pressure and after a good run by flanker Nick Smith, Tigers were penalised for off-side and Lee Chapman kicked the penalty for a 3 - 0 lead after six minutes. Tigers regained possession from the kick-off but a poor pass lost the momentum. Tigers were now conceding penalties at the breakdown but Chapman was unable to take advantage on eleven minutes with a missed penalty. The home side now had the territory and were putting Tigers defence under pressure and another penalty for side entry allowed Chapman to extend the lead to 6 - 0 on thirteen minutes. Tigers then lost captain Andy Barnes with a shoulder injury to be replaced by Frank Wragg. Further setbacks came on nineteen minutes when Chapman converted his third penalty after another side entry at a ruck to give the home side a 9 - 0 lead. Then we lost the referee to a calf injury who was replaced by one of the assistant referees. The break seemed to favour the visitors as two good runs by Jamie Broadley were stopped by defenders forcing him into touch. Tigers pack then had a good period of possession and Ali Thomson made good ground supported by Jon Buchanan and Broadley again went close to a score. Tigers pressure also allowed Alex Drage to make one of his trademark darts but he was just caught close to the line. The pressure eventually allowed Tigers to get on the score sheet on thirtyseven minutes with some good skill initially from Gregor Hayter whose deft pass to the supporting Buchanan saw him give a sublime dummy to the defenders and score an outstanding try wide out on the left hand side of the field West was unable to convert so Tigers went to the break 9 - 5 down.
The second half saw Alex Graham replace Jamie Clark in the backs and Anthony Ross replace Charlie Cone at prop, but it was the home side who came out with a bang and sloppy defending allied to good work from flanker Smith to feed centre Will Cave who scored on fortyone minutes to extend the lead to 14 - 5 with Chapman unable to convert. Further problems for Tigers when the home sides left wing Elliot Brown beat three defenders to score a fine individual try in the corner which Chapman converted from the touch-line to put them futher ahead at 21 - 5 on fortysix minutes. Tigers however regrouped and after a good rolling maul the home side were penalised for collapsing the maul and the ball was quickly moved to West who sliced open the home defence to score under the post on fiftyfour minutes, converting his own try to cut the deficit to 21 - 12. Tigers were now playing their best rugby, Buchanan intercepted and set up a fine breakout by Nick Pearson and Tom Outram taking play deep into the Nuneaton half and with Drage sniping round a maul he came close to scoring again. From the resulting ruck the ball was swiftly and skilfully transferred across the pitch for Broadley to score. West missed the conversion but Tigers were back in the game at 21 - 17 on sixty minutes. Tigers again lacked concentration at the restart and Nuneaton gained possession and Cave was able to score his second try to give the home side a nine point lead on sixtyfive minutes with Chapman missing the conversion. Tigers came storming back with the pack driving Pearson over the line on sixtynine minutes for a bonus point try and cut the deficit to 26 - 22 as West was unable to add the extra points. From this point Tigers maintained pressure on the home side and were camped on the home line for the next few minutes when Buchanan sustained a nasty head injury and had to be replaced by Gareth Morley on seventysix minutes. Tigers were unable to break the home defence who held firm under intense pressure holding out for the victory. Tigers take two points from a game, they could have had five but when you lose concentration at this level you will be punished and two lapses in the first ten minutes of the second half to allow that 21 - 5 gap to develop was always going to be difficult to pull back. Another generally encouraging display especially to score four tries away from home against a very good Nuneaton team.
Man of the match – Nick Pearson - tireless display in the forward exchanges and excellent supporting runs in the open.
Team – Bunting, Thomson, Cone (Ross), Hayter, Cook, Pearson N, MacKenzie, Barnes(C) (Wragg), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan (Morley), Outram, Clark (Graham), Swatkins
Replacements not used – Whitworth
Referee – Ed Turnill (Leo Burton)
Assistants – Leo Burton &
Report – Stuart Headford
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24/09/11 - Tigers 1st XV Second Rowers Tries Secure First Home Win in National 2 North
Sheffield Tigers 24 - Luctonians 19
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Peter Swatkins - Try
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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On a fine late summers day Tigers welcomed Luctonians and their coach load of supporters to Dore Moor for their first ever encounter. Nick Pearson was making his first appearance of the season after a lengthy absence due to injury. From the visitors kick-off the home side opened up and quick accurate passing in their own twentytwo saw the ball transferred via Callum MacKenzie and Tom Outram to winger Peter Swatkins. He raced sixty metres to score in the first minute. After this start Tigers did not look back and were never to be headed. The adventurous play continued when a short twentytwo tap restart saw Andy Barnes make a good break. Now Luctonians were starting to get into the match, only for an attack to break down for crossing. From this penalty Tigers kicked for position and from the lineout the ball went first right and then left for full-back Jon Feeley to enter the line. His searing run took him between the opposition centres and through the defence to score. 10 – 0 after just nine minutes. Tigers were continuing to enjoy the majority of the possession but now Luctonians had tightened their defence. A penalty attempt by Jonny West from an offence at a ruck would have increased the lead but his attempt sailed wide. Luctonians were now getting into the game and a good positional kick saw them with a lineout in Tigers twentytwo. A well worked move around the front of the lineout would have given them a score but for a crunching tackle into touch by man of the match Charlie Cone. Tigers were using centre Jon Buchanan to carry the ball into the Luctonians midfield before opening out into fifteen man rugby. Luctonians strong pack were slowly starting to gain most of the possession and were themselves now recycling well. An attack came to nothing when after pressure the ball was aimlessy kicked dead and then another visitors attack was thwarted when Barnes stole their ball at the lineout. At last Luctonians turned pressure into points, when, with the referee playing an advantage to the visitors, a long miss pass left enabled prop Garner to score wide out. The conversion missed for 10-5. The next seven minutes till half-time were all Luctonians with Tigers defending desperately. Several penalty decisions were awarded against Tigers and each time Luctonians opted for the scrum rather than take an easy kick at goal. Then Simon Bunting was yellow carded as the referee lost patience with the home defence. This meant Nick Pearson being replaced by Anthony Ross for the next episodes at the scrum! At this time Jon Feeley sadly had to leave the field with a suspected broken arm. Peter Swatkins moved to full-back and Jamie Clark came onto the wing. Again the visitors continued to show arrogance towards the Tigers pack as they opted to scrum yet again for the score they felt certain would come. It did not as Tigers defended magnificently and at last got possession to clear and end the half with a well deserved and very hard earned five point lead.
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Gregor Hayter - Try Scorer
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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The second half started just as well as the first did for Tigers. Luctnians failed to tidy up the ball from Tigers restart and Tigers seven man pack drove the visitors eight men backwards for twenty metres. Gregor Hayter got the touch down after tremendous work by his fellow forwards. This time West did add the extras for 17-5 after only one minute of the second half. More Tigers pressure was spoiled by strong Luctonians counter rucking as Tigers left the ball at the base of a ruck too long as they looked to run the clock down on the yellow card. Worse still was when Luctonians broke up field with the ball and were only just tackled short of the line. This did not stop a score as from a lot of pressure the visitors stand-off Burton cut through the home defence to score under the posts. Morris converted to narrow the lead to five points after fiftyone minutes. Tigers now began to have more of the play with Ali Thomson on at hooker for Matt Gidlow, who had done a lot of hard work against a big Luctonians pack, Ross now on permanently for Cone and Sam Cook on for Pearson in the back row. A penalty to Tigers saw the familiar kick to the corner and the ball driven to the posts. Two reset scrums later and at last the visitors try line was breached, this time by Tigers other
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Alex Drage - Try Celebration
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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second row, Richard Joel. West converted for 24-12 with fifteen minutes to play. Back came Luctonians with more possession but no penetration as Tigers tackled resolutely. Thompson’s tackle caused the ball to be spilled and the ubiquitous Alex Drage was on hand to regain possession. Now Tigers were playing the territory game, but when they were caught in possession in their own twentytwo swift passing down the visitors backs resulted in a try for winger Ruell in the right corner. A good conversion cut the deficit back to just the five points with six minutes to play. Luctonians were now looking to run everything but Tigers were keeping them penned in their own half. Swatkins and Hayter both had good kicks for territory and Clark made a very good tackle. Penalties to touch were declined by Luctonians in favour of taps (a moral victory for Tigers lineout), but Tigers were not going to let this match slip away, even taking a scrum against the head. At last the referee blew his whistle to bring to an end an excellent and thrilling game of rugby. Tigers had five points and had inflicted a first defeat of the season on Luctonians. The visitors had the slight consolation of a losing bonus point for their long trip back to Herefordshire.
Man of the match – Charlie Cone – strong all round performance
Team – Bunting, Gidlow (Thomson), Cone (Ross), Hayter, Joel, Pearson N (Cook), MacKenzie, Barnes(C), Drage, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Swatkins, Feeley (Clark)
Replacements not used – Pearson J
Referee – Wayne Falla
Assistants – Fred Farndon & Lionel Spooner
Report – Nigel Dakin |
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17/09/11 - Tigers 1st XV Unlucky in Defeat at Harrogate in National 2 North
Harrogate 19 - Sheffield Tigers 15
Harrogate began the match in the expansive style they played all afternoon. The match started at a frantic pace with both sides playing open rugby. At last Tigers got possession after a thundering tackle by Charlie Cone and a turnover by Jamie Broadley. A penalty to Tigers was kicked to the corner and after two lineouts the ball went down the backs for fullback Peter Swatkins to join the line and score. 5-0 after nine minutes. Back came Harrogate’s young side, only to be let down by handling errors. A good tackle by Callum MacKenzie broke up another Harrogate attack before rapid recycling saw the home side up to the visitors twentytwo. A penalty was awarded for handling in the ruck and Harrogate opened their account on twentyfour minutes. Barely two minutes later the home side took the lead with a second penalty when Tigers were again penalised at a ruck, although this time the penalised player did seem to be on his feet. Back came Tigers and Harrogate were forced into stern defence to prevent a try. When the home side did regain the ball they opted for the sensible tactic of kicking for territory. Tigers had still not learned to be patient at the ruck and on thirtytwo minutes a further three points went sailing over their cross bar from their third penalty in eight minutes, all conceded at the ruck. Tigers were now trying to rush things and several mistakes and knock-ons were destroying any momentum they started to build. Tigers had to reorganise when Jon Buchanan was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury with Gareth Morley coming onto the wing and Broadley moving to centre. Another Tigers assault on the Harrogate line ended when the ball was lost and Harrogate continued with their game plan of running good ball and kicking for field position ball that was not so good. More mid field exchanges continued the pattern of the half until a good run by Broadley saw him beat half a dozen defenders. Again, the attack could not be converted to points by Tigers and the half ended with Harrogate leading by 9-5.
Tigers now had the breeze in their favour. Alex Drage had replaced Jamie Clark had scrum-half and Anthony Ross replaced Mark Chivers at prop. An excellent break by the Harrogate backs nearly led to the opening score of the half but desperate defence saw Tigers concede a penalty and the young Harrogate stand-off Irvine took full advantage of the “free ball” to calmly drop a goal for 12-5 after fortyfour minutes. There now followed Tigers best ten minutes of the match. A good kick down the pitch by Morley saw a Harrogate forward at last yellow carded for pulling down Andy Barnes at the resultant lineout. The penalty kick to the corner and catch and drive resulted in Gregor Hayter scoring a try to narrow the deficit to two points. Sadly, like many of the kickers at the World Cup, Jonny West was having an off day with his place kicks. Three minutes later, on fiftytwo, Tigers took the lead. Another penalty, another catch and drive and this time Jon Feeley touched down. 15-12 to Tigers. Back came Harrogate but Tigers defence was now stopping the home side making any progress upfield. Then came a game turning decision. From a move off a scrum Swatkins burst through the home defence and passed to Feeley to touch down. However, the try was not awarded on the advice of the referees assistant for a forward pass. Soon after Harrogate were awarded another penalty and kicked to the corner. As the home side pressed Feeley was adjudged to be offside in the defensive line and rather harshly yellow carded. At the next scrum Harrogate made the extra man count when their full-back joined the line and scored a converted try near the posts on sixtyfour minutes for a four point lead at 19 - 15. Play then went into the Harrogate half and again Tigers pressed. Harrogate broke back upfield against the run of play but were soon back defending after a good move between Swatkins and Morley. Ali Thomson was replaced by Matt Gidlow at hooker with Chivers re-entering the fray for a limping Cone. With time running out a line-out throw in was not straight and an attacking ball was lost near the Harrogate line. However, worse was to follow when Drage took a quick tap penalty and scooted over the line from twenty metres for what would have been the winning score. Sadly, although the referee initially awarded the score, it was overturned on advice again from his assistant. Tigers players ended the match feeling that they had done enough to win the match and rueing some inconsistencies during the game.
Next week sees the visit of top placed and so far unbeaten Luctonians to Dore Moor.
Man of the match – Andy Barnes
Team – Chivers (Ross), Thomson (Gidlow), Cone (Chivers), Hayter, Joel, Cook, MacKenzie, Barnes(C), Clark (Drage), West, Broadley, Buchanan (Morley), Outram, Feeley, Swatkins
Replacements not used – Wragg
Referee – Will Halford
Assistants –
Report – Nigel Dakin
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10/09/11 - Tigers 1st XV Off the Mark with Away Win at Hull in National 2 North
Hull 29 - Sheffield Tigers 33
Having lost the first 2 games of the season one might have expected Tigers to approach the fixture against Hull with a degree of nervousness, but from the start, Tigers played an attacking game going into the breeze at the Ferens ground. However on two minutes, the Tigers backs were penalised for creeping up too close to the back feet of a ruck and should have been punished by the Hull captain, Cameron, but his kick at goal drifted wide. It appeared that both kickers were unduly influenced by the errant kicking of the England and Argentina players in the morning’s World Cup game. Jonny West missed a penalty on seven minutes, and there followed a series of missed penalty and conversion attempts throughout the rest of the game. On fifteen minutes Jon Feeley used the width of the pitch to run the ball out of defence. Jon Buchanan broke the defensive line and moved the ball quickly to Callum MacKenzie and Gregor Hayter who set up a strong attack. The Hull pack killed the ball in the ruck and Tigers opted to kick for a line-out in the corner. A clean take in the line-out by Andy Barnes set up a strong drive for the line and MacKenzie dived over for the opening try. An excellent kick from West on the touchline gave Tigers a well deserved 7 – 0 lead. Tigers forwards were starting to take control in the loose and the backs were running an expansive game. On twenty minutes MacKenzie cleared up loose ball at the back of the line on the half way and set up an attack. At the next maul scrum-half Jamie Clark found a gap around the base of the scrum and released the ball to MacKenzie who made valuable yards before setting up Tom Outram to score under the posts to extend the lead to 12 – 0. The conversion attempt rattled the upright. Unfortunately Tigers did not maintain their momentum and three minutes later some sloppy defence at the back of the scrum allowed Hull to break through the Tigers line and release their wing, Kirk to score a converted try in the corner (12 – 7). Tigers came straight back at Hull and on twentyeight minutes one of Feeley’s jinking runs was stopped on the half-way line by a desperate high tackle by a Hull lock forward. West’s kick to the corner from the penalty set up a driving maul from the line-out and Feeley justifiably dived over the Hull line for a try converted by West (19 – 7). The last ten minutes of the half saw Hull regroup and exert pressure on Tigers. Two penalties were conceded by Tigers but both attempts on goal drifted wide of the posts and the half-time score of 19 – 7 to Tigers was a fair reflection of the first half.
Tigers came out in the second half with Anthony Ross replacing Mark Chivers in the front-row and demonstrated their clear intent of extending the lead, but when Hull were penalised for coming in from the side at the first maul from the kick off, West’s kick drifted wide. From the 22 drop-out, Barnes took the ball and drove back at the Hull defence. Feeley took the ball on and Clark put a grubber kick through the defence. Hayter showed his ball in hand skills to ship the ball onto Feeley on the wing who was able to run round to put the ball down under the posts on fortyfour minutes. The successful conversion gave Tigers a 26 – 7 lead. Tigers lost a little momentum after this and nearly allowed Hull back into the game. Hands in the ruck in the Tigers 22 on fiftyone minutes was penalised with a successful penalty kick by Cameron from under the posts (26 – 10). From the restart, Charlie Cone broke three tackles in the middle of the field but was injured in the process and was replaced by Chivers. Alex Drage came on for Clark at scrum-half. Then after a lengthy stoppage for an injury to a Hull centre, Ali Thomson and Sam Cook were replaced by Matt Gidlow and Frank Wragg. The break in momentum seemed to affect the pattern of Tigers play and on sixtysix minutes Hull converted some of the pressure that they were starting to exert by forcing Tigers to concede a penalty. The Hull kick to the corner was rewarded with a clean catch in the line-out and a try for Moody. The conversion attempt was missed (26 – 15). The Hull pack was now starting to put together the phases and stole the ball from a ruck on the Tigers 22. The Hull backs ran the length of the field and despite an excellent covering tackle by Jamie Broadley and a discussion between the referee and assistant referee, Kirk was awarded a try that was converted, to bring the score up to a nail biting 26 – 22 on seventy minutes. This seemed to re-galvanise Tigers who realised that all their hard work could amount to nothing if they allowed Hull another scoring opportunity. It was now Tigers turn to start working the phases and exerted a period of sustained pressure in the Hull 22. The Hull number 8 committed a high tackle that earned him a yellow card. West kicked into the corner and a well-worked line-out saw the ball driven towards the Hull line. Desperate defence resulted in Hull handling on the floor and Tigers opted for another line-out on the 5 metre line. Concerted pressure on the Hull try line and a patient working of the phases was finally rewarded by Hayter diving over for a converted try (33 – 22) on seventyfive minutes. Hull were still not out of it and put sustained pressure on the Tigers line. Richard Joel was penalised for killing the ball in the ruck and from the penalty Murphy scored a try that was converted by Lound on eighty minutes to leave Tigers with a well-deserved 33 – 29 victory.
Overall this was an excellent performance by Tigers in an exciting match to give us our first league points of the season. The referee allowed the game to flow well, contributing to the enjoyment of the spectators. Thank you to Hull for your hospitality and we look forward to the return fixture at Dore Moor in December when the weather will probably be slightly cooler than the barmy sunshine we enjoyed this afternoon. We now need to replicate this effort next Saturday when we travel to Harrogate.
Man of the match – Ali Thomson for his hard work in the loose and the many yards carrying the ball.
Team – Chivers (Ross), Thomson (Gidlow), Cone (Chivers), Hayter, Joel, Cook (Wragg), Mackenzie, Barnes(C), Clark (Drage), West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Swatkins, Feeley
Replacements all used –
Referee – Luke Haskins
Assistants –
Report – Alick Bush
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03/09/11 - Tigers 1st XV Lose to a Strong Westoe Side in Second Match in National 2 North
Sheffield Tigers 13 - Westoe 24
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Gregor Hayter - Try
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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The first home match of Tigers National 2 North league campaign saw the return from his four months “retirement” of prop Simon Bunting. Sam Lockwood and debutant Alex Graham were among the five substitutes on the bench. It was expected that Westoe would be a hard nut to crack as they had finished fourth in this league last season and so it proved. The visitors kicked off the first half with the breeze to their advantage. Tigers immediately showed their intention to play fifteen man rugby and when the ball was passed down the backs to winger Jamie Broadley his kick ahead put early pressure on the Westoe defence. The resulting line-out was won and the Tigers forwards drove for the try line with Gregor Hayter touching down for a 5-0 lead after just two minutes. Westoe then dominated territory for the rest of the half. A try went begging for the visitors when they knocked on after an interception in the backs but despite this mistake Westoe were looking dangerous. A strong scrum turned Tigers through ninety degrees and this gave Westoe confidence to opt for a five metre scrum from a penalty. With the scrum again wheeled to open up the narrow side three quick passes saw winger Peter Phelan score in the corner to level the scores after twelve minutes. Tigers responded by running any ball they got but were met with strong Westoe defence. Jon Feeley made an excellent break beating four defenders only for his pass to be thwarted and a seventy metre kick again put Westoe on the attack. With captain Barnes stealing Westoe line-out ball and Tigers forwards recycling well Westoe were having to work hard in terms of the tackle count but their well organised defence was making Tigers play rugby in their own half. The Westoe backs then managed to make a mess of another clear cut try scoring chance. Then from a penalty near the Tigers line the confident visitors forwards opted for a scrum, rather than the more usual line-out catch and drive. Good work by Callum MacKenzie stole ball at the ensuing ruck and relieved the pressure. When Jonny West did not find touch with his clearance kick Westoe again attacked with fifteen man rugby, but again the attack was messed up, this time by a forward pass. When Tigers knocked on near their own line it was the Tigers pack who turned the visitors through ninety degrees and this time the clearance kick from the reset scrum did find touch. Westoe were now pressing desperately to score before half-time while they still had the wind in their favour. Just as it looked as Tigers would go into half-time with the scores level a good run by Westoe centre Tommy Banks saw him beat two would be tacklers to score under the posts. Mark Bedworth converted for a 12-5 half-time lead to the visitors.
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Jamie Broadley - Burst
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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The start of the second half saw Tigers worst spell of the match although it did not cost them further points. The spell started with what most spectators viewed as a slightly harsh penalty when the ball seemed to be out of the ruck. Then the home side were penalised for not rolling away at the ruck and next a forward pass was given. Two more penalty decisions followed, one at a ruck and the other for offside. At last Westoe helped Tigers to settle when they knocked on and after ten minutes of scrappy play the game improved. Tigers now substituted Lockwood for Bunting and he immediately made his presence felt with a thundering tackle on a Westoe player. Alex Graham replaced Tom Outram with Broadley moving from wing to centre and in the fiftyfirst minute Tigers scored their second try. A quick tap penalty near the half-way line saw slick handling between Jon Buchanan, MacKenzie and Hayter with Broadley finishing a flowing move. Tigers were now playing their best and hardest rugby of the match. Ali Thomson and Graham forced a turnover on the
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Ali Thomson - Break
© Ian Anderson - 2011
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Westoe prop and then a free kick at a scrum saw Barnes take the free kick and West kick to the corner. This led to a penalty from which West added the three points to give Tigers a narrow one point lead at 13-12 after sixty minutes. West missed with a drop goal attempt soon after but despite being behind Westoe did not panic and slowly worked their way upfield using forward drives and positional kicks. When Tigers knocked-on at a line-out in their twentytwo a clever Westoe set move in the midfield, involving two quick inside passes, enabled Gareth Kerr score under the posts. Rayner converted for 19-13 with fourteen minutes to play. Still the two sets of forwards battered each other. Westoe were finishing the stronger as Tigers made their three remaining substitutions but to no avail. A fine individual second try by Banks saw him finish off drives as a tiring Tigers side dropped off tackles. That was the final score of the match in the seventyseventh minute giving victory to Westoe by 24-13.
To lose to a strong Westoe team who are now well established in this league is no disgrace. Westoe were well organised in defence and had plenty of attacking options in their armoury. They will almost certainly be near the top of the table at the end of the season. Tigers gave a much better performance this week apart from the ten minute spell after half-time and were in contention until the last few minutes. The penalty count at the ruck was much reduced and the speed and numbers of support players at the breakdown was much better. Two successive away fixtures are next up against Hull and Harrogate, each of whom have been beaten by one of Tigers opponents to date. The next home game is against Luctonians on September 24th.
Man of the match – Gregor Hayter
Team – Chivers (Cone), Thomson (Gidlow), Bunting (Lockwood), Hayter, Joel, Cook (Wragg), Mackenzie, Barnes(C), Clark, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram (Graham), Morley, Feeley
Replacements all used –
Referee – Dave Edmunds
Assistants – Leo Burton and Steve Barr
Report – Nigel Dakin |
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27/08/11 - Tigers 1st XV Lose League Opener at Bromsgrove in National 2 North
Bromsgrove 27 - Sheffield Tigers 13
August bank holiday Saturday and the first of thirty fixtures at the highest level Tigers have ever played at with only forty clubs in leagues playing rugby at a higher level in the whole of England! We knew the standard would be high with Bromsgrove having recruited strongly, in particular in the signing of Newport (Salop) stand-off James Curgenven and Longton hooker George Glenn. Tigers too were fielding new players in prop Mark Chivers from Wharfedale, winger Jamie Broadley from Harrogate, and back-row Scott Briggs from Preston Grasshoppers. Sadly winger Peter Swatkins from Rotherham Titans pulled out with a hamstring injury during warm up and with captain Andy Barnes missing with an ankle injury sustained in training and Nick Pearson still not recovered from his leg injury of last season the away supporters recognised it was going to be a difficult afternoon.
The match could not have started better for Tigers when from their kick-off the forwards regained the ball. The ball went down the backs and miss moves enabled Callum MacKenzie to loop round and beat Bromsgrove’s outside centre. His pass to Jamie Broadley was kicked forward and the winger won the race to touchdown his kick for a Tigers try in the first minute. Two minutes later the old achilles heel of Tigers resurfaced when Curgenven opened the home side account with three points from a penalty at a ruck. Early play showed the Bromsgrove game plan of using their strong running forwards to drive the ball at Tigers defence and Tigers knew they would be in for a hard eighty minutes. Both sides were nervous and both kicked for early territorial advantage and the only highlight was a pacy forty metre run by Gregor Hayter. An early plus for Tigers was excellent scrum pressure for a penalty decision that enabled Jonny West to add three points on ten minutes for 8-3. The lead was short lived. Consecutive penalties for not rolling away at the ruck saw the home side kick to the corner and their forwards drive fifteen metres for the line. When the move was stopped the ball went down the three-quarter line and a risky floated pass was taken by full-back Critchlow who scored for Curgenven to convert. 10-8 to the home side on the quarter hour. Back came Tigers with a break by Jon Feeley but the scoring chance was lost when Broadley’s inside pass went astray with the line open. Although there was no real pattern to the play slowly the Bromsgrove pack were getting on top with strong driving runs by their forwards and swift support play at the breakdown. Tigers were being forced to defend for long periods and Bromsgrove seemed intent on trying to batter the ball over the Tigers line. Excellent defence by Tigers ensured that this did not happen and the home side had to content themselves with just three points from a penalty on thirtyfive minutes. A second good run by Hayter led to Tigers getting into the Bromsgrove half with half-time approaching and when the home side were penalised for handling on the floor at the ruck West had a chance to add three points but sadly his kick went wide. Half time 13-8 to Bromsgrove.
The second half started with a long delay to deal with an injury to a Bromsgrove player. All at Tigers wish him a speedy recovery. The injury did not affect the pattern of play with the Tigers forwards still under pressure. From a line-out close to the visitors line the home forwards mauled the ball over the line on their third drive. Curgenven added the extras to put the home side twelve points clear after fortyfour minutes. Tigers used three substitutes to freshen up the pack with Matt Gidley replacing Alistair Thomson at hooker, Anthony Ross coming on for Charlie Cone at prop and Frank Wragg replacing Scott Briggs in the back-row. This revitalised Tigers. A break from their own twentytwo saw good passing and progress downfield only to be spoiled when the ball was lost. Two more penalties conceded at rucks saw number eight Sam Cook yellow carded and almost immediately Bromsgrove secured the result. Overthrown ball at a line-out saw the ball bounce kindly for Curgenven whose pacy, mazy run took him through the Tigers defence for a good try and 27-8 on fiftyeight minutes. Tigers reorganised with West going to scrum-half, Jamie Clark to left wing, Tom Outram to stand-off and Broadley to centre. Immediately Clark showed his pace with a good run as did right winger Gareth Morley. Tigers were now pressing the home line after penalty kicks to the corner. The ball was recycled side to side before a long pass by Feeley gave MacKenzie the space to power over out wide. Tigers continued to look to play rugby and had most of the possession in the remaining fourteen minutes.
The result may not have been in Tigers favour but there is room for optimism at Dore Moor. The team stuck to their task and fought back strongly in the fourth quarter to dominate the game. Bromsgrove were denied the bonus point that looked likely after Curgenven’s try on fiftyeight minutes. The scrummage started strongly and the line-out went well all match. The forwards tackled their hearts out against a very strong and hard running Bromsgrove eight and the backs showed that they can play open and exciting rugby and possess a cutting edge. Negatives to work on were again the number of penalties at the ruck and more and faster support at the breakdown.
Man of the match – Callum MacKenzie for a tireless effort and his involvement in both tries.
Team – Chivers, Thomson (Gidlow), Cone (Ross), Hayter, Joel, Briggs (Wragg), MacKenzie, Cook, Clark, West, Broadley, Buchanan, Outram, Morley, Feeley
Replacements not used – Ramsden
Referee – David Proctor
Assistants – Eric Woodmason, Fred Spong
Report – Nigel Dakin
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