Leeds Tykes 47 - 42 Sheffield RUFC

Leeds Tykes RUFC 47 - 42 Sheffield RUFC

Team Selection for Saturday 27th April 2024

16. Chris Hooper
14. Cameron Catleugh
13. Jamie Flint
12. Will Smith
11. Rylie Bonsall
10. Callum Posa
9. Elliot Fisher

1. Ben Whitney
2. Rhodri Campbell
22. Jake Hicklin
4. Archie Crapper
5. Dom Parsons (Capt.)
6. Alex Fawdry
7. Jason Hignell
8. Ryan Burrows
Replacements: -
20. Angus Hughes (FR)
25. George Rogers (FR)
23. Charlie Flinders
21. Matt Adcock
17. Kaj Douglas

Following a weekend off from competition, Sheffield were to travel to second place Leeds Tykes, who after their recent loss to Fylde, were likely to be wanting to put on a very positive performance. Sheffield were able to bring back Jason Hignell after injury, for what is possibly his last match for us, as he may be returning to his native Canada. Matt Adcock dropped to the bench to accommodate Jason’s return, and Cameron Catleugh swapped places in the starting line-up and the bench.

Sheffield, playing in the Headingly Stadium, made a very lively start and an early penalty gave them an attacking lineout deep in Tykes territory. Sheffield moved the ball smartly away from the lineout, and shortly afterwards prop-forward, Ben Whitney opened the scoring for the visitors with a try on the left. Scrum-half, Elliot Fisher added the conversion to give Sheffield a 7 point to nil lead after six minutes. However, the Tykes immediately showed their class and determination, scoring themselves with just nine minutes on the clock, through fly-half, Callum Irvine. Fullback, Seremaia Turagabeci added the conversion to tie the scores at 7 points all. Sheffield picked themselves up and were again on the attack. The defensive door opened with Ryan Burrows making the break and Elliot Fisher was to be the happy recipient who scored Sheffield’s second try. Elliot converted again and Sheffield led again, by 14 points to 7 after thirteen minutes. The attacking prowess and defensive frailties stayed at the front and soon it was the Tykes who once more found space from an error. Sheffield overthrew at a lineout and Tykes hooker Adam Brown broke away. The ball found its way to centre Ben Dixon who found his way all the way to the try line. Callum Irvine took over the kicking duties and converted to tie the scores again, at 14 points all after just seventeen minutes.

At this point Sheffield appeared to fall away and Tykes took full advantage, scoring four more tries on the way to half time, through number 8, Eddie Brown (27 Mins), Hooker, Adam Brown (32 Mins), centre Henry McNab (36 Mins) and loose head prop, Toby Williams (40 Mins). Callum Irvine converted al four tries and at half time Tykes led by 42 points to 14.

Without making any significant changes Sheffield appeared to have fielded a completely different team for the second half. With barely a minute of the second half gone, Sheffield broke away, with fullback Chris Hooper going in under the posts. Elliot Fisher added the conversion, and the fight back had begun at 42 points to 21. Unfortunately, somewhat later, with Sheffield on the attack, centre Tom Williams managed to rip the ball out of the hands of a Sheffield player and started a break, leading to a second try for winger, Henry McNab. Callum Irvine missed the conversion, but Tykes now led by 47 points to 21 after fifty-four minutes. Sheffield recovered again and were soon back on the attack, and soon after Ryan Burrows scored a fourth try for the visitors. Elliot Fisher converted again to reduce the lead to 47 points to 28 after sixty-one minutes.

Unfortunately, at this point Sheffield went down to fourteen men with Callum Posa getting a yellow card for a technical offence. However, Tykes were unable to take advantage of the one-man advantage and Sheffield were able to score a fifth try, again through Ryan Burrows, with Elliot Fisher converting again, taking the score to 47 points to 35 after seventy-one minutes. Sheffield continued to dominate, but unfortunately, it took several more minutes to add to their score, with Cameron Catleugh finding his way to the try line to score a sixth try right out on the left touchline. Elliot Fisher knocked over his sixth conversion to take the score to 47 points to 42 after seventy-seven minutes. Moment later, Tykes loosehead prop, Toby Williams received a yellow card for foul play and the Tykes went down to fourteen players. Sheffield went for the kill, and for a moment it looked like they had managed it with Cameron Catleugh taking the play right up to the Tykes try line. Unfortunately, the Tykes were awarded a penalty and the home team were allowed to tap and kick to touch to end the match with Sheffield on the very edge of sneaking the win.

Leeds Tykes RUFC team: -
15: Seremaia Turagabeci; 14. Charlie Venables; 13: Ben Dixon; 12: Tom Williams; 11: Henry Macnab; 10: Callum Irvine; 9: Kit Keith
1: Toby Williams; 2: Adam Brown (Capt.); 3: Will Dennis; 4: Tom Collins; 5: James Harrison; 6: Jake Brady; 7: Jonny Teague; 8: Eddie Brown.
Replacements: -
16: Arrin Yorke; 17: Alex Fishwick; 18: Jack Gilmartin; 23: Will Harwick; 20: Kieran Davies

Scoring: -