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Sheffield Tigers RUFC
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(Established 1932)
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A National League 2 North Club
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Reports 2006-2007:
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28/04/07 - Tigers 1st XV Break Lymm with Powerful Display to Gain Promotion to North 1
Sheffield Tigers 50 - Lymm 10
Tigers showed right from the start that they were up for this promotion play-off match. Electing to play with the wind they took the lead after just two minutes when stand off Chuck Baumberg slotted over a penalty when Lymm came into a ruck from the side. Back-row player Morgan Jones then gave the visitors a taste of what was to come when he fiercely tackled the Lymm winger and soon after floored a Lymm back-row player from a set piece move from a scrum. On thirteen minutes the large crowd were treated to the best individual try seen at Dore Moor this season. The Lymm midfield came up too fast in defence thirty metres from their line. Instead of passing down his three-quarters Baumberg made an outside break, straightened, chipped over the full-back, gathered and scored a marvellous individual try under the posts. He converted for 10-0. A Lymm forward was yellow carded for punching but this only galvanised Tigers. As if one excellent score was not enough for one day Baumberg kicked a long ball crossfield where centre Tom Outram gathered, brilliantly stayed out of touch, before scoring with Baumberg again converting. 17-0 after just twenty minutes. Lymm then had their best part of the game. Strong pressure was only defused by a forward pass and things looked momentarily tough for Tigers when John Dudley was yellow carded for handling on the floor in a ruck. The Lymm forwards were beginning to run at the Tigers defence. It was then that Doug Trivella, on as replacement for winger Gareth Brear who had torn a hamstring, produced one of his legendary tackles. The big Lymm prop had taken the ball on the burst only to be driven backwards by Trivella’s crunching tackle. A forward pass then denied Lymm a try but that was Lymm’s last serious threat for fifty minutes. Baumberg was using the wind well to give Tigers good field position. Lymm were finding it hard to get out of their own half and two penalties by Baumberg on thirtyfive and thirtynine minutes gave the home side a 23-0 half time lead.
Now Lymm had the wind. Would twentythree points be enough? Despite an early turn over by skipper Harry Toews, Lymm opened their account with a fortyfifth minute penalty before they were again their own worst enemies when their number-eight was yellow carded for slowing up the ball on the floor. A Trivella burst down the right saw forward support enable scrum-half Neil Pearson to score an unconverted try after fortyeight minutes and the result was not now in doubt. Continued strong defence was making any progress for Lymm hard. On fiftyfive minutes a short side burst by full-back Jon Storey saw him driven over by Trivella with Baumberg converting for 35-3. Tigers were now opening out play whenever possible. Five minutes later a long ball to winger Geoff Griffiths saw him make ground before the ball went loose in the tackle, only for him to regather and score a try, again converted. Tigers had by now introduced all their substitutes into the action and Lymm were now struggling to keep up with the pace of the match, Baumberg added a penalty on sixtyfive minutes before yet another Lymm yellow card for a cynical and dangerous late tackle on Pearson. Soon after Lymm got the punishment they deserved when second-row Eddie Gauche ran in from fifteen metres to put up the fifty points. The game then went a bit flat before Lymm got a late consolation converted try by good quick passing down the short side.
The final score of 50-10 did full justice to a brilliant all round performance by the team. The defence was excellent, with strong crunching tackles all afternoon never allowing Lymm the time to settle. The front-row got the better of their Lymm counterparts, especially in the second half as fitness told. Richard Joel and Gauche dominated the line-out and the back-row tackled and carried the ball for eighty minutes. Pearson was a reliable link as ever and Chris Cox and Outram bottled up the centre. Griffiths and Trivella made strong runs all match and Storey came into the line well in the second half. Baumberg had the perfect game. Perhaps he should forget his boots and have to return home to fetch them again if he plays like this! His haul of 25 points was half the team total and comprised a try, four penalties and four conversions.
The celebrations went on late into the evening and all at Dore Moor are looking forward to playing in North One next season after the club’s third promotion in three years.
Team – Toews, Muller, Parkin(Ryder), Gauche, Joel, Hanekom, Jones, Dudley(Holes), Pearson,
Baumberg, Griffiths, Outram, Cox C, Brear(Trivella), Storey(Pound)
Subs all used.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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21/04/07 - Tigers 1st XV No Match this Weekend as North 2 East League has Finished
Sheffield Tigers ??
Tigers used this blank weekend after the end of the League Campaign to prepare for the League Play-Off against Lymm (runners-up in North 2 West) at Dore Moor next Saturday.
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14/04/07 - Tigers 1st XV Comeback Not Enough in Last North 2 East League Match of the Season
West Hartlepool 21 - Sheffield Tigers 18
The final match of the season was played in bright sunshine. Early Tigers pressure was met with good defence from West Hartlepool. A good break from a scrum by number eight Morgan Jones saw him drive into the West twentytwo before scrum-half Chris Cox won a penalty when the opposition failed to release the ball after a tackle. The kick to the corner was followed by an unnecessary free for all resulting in second-row Eddie Gauche and a West forward being yellow carded. The first ten minutes were all played in the West half, but on fifteen minutes West scored a try against the run of play when their excellent scrum-half saw a gap near a ruck to sprint through for a converted try. Tigers responded with a break that saw stand-off Chuck Baumberg just tackled short and then a forward drive on twenty six minutes saw the returned Gauche carry the ball strongly over the line from five metres to cut the deficit to two points. Despite the majority of the play being in the West half Tigers still trailed by the same two points at halftime having been unable to convert their dominance into further points.
The second half started well with Baumberg landing a successful penalty after good handling by the backs led to Wests backs being offside. Wests now had their best spell of the game. Their number nine made thirty metres down the blind side and a score was only prevented by good cover from John Dudley. The niggle between the two sides continued as strong West pressure on the Tigers line was only ended temporarily by an excellent line-out steal by second-row Richard Joel. However, West pressure was rewarded on fiftysix minutes when their scrum-half charged down a clearance kick and reacted quicker than the Tigers defence to score a converted try. Tigers were now giving away too many penalties and the West pack was gaining in confidence. A long pass from the scrum-half to the stand-off saw the number ten slip a tackle with an outside break and speed in for a further converted try on sixtyfive minutes. With the score at 21-8 Tigers at last showed what simple attacking play could do. Line-out ball was passed left down the three-quarters and full-back Jon Storey entered the line to score on sixtynine minutes. Then quick ball six minutes later was passed right to find Dudley in the centre and his strength took him over for a further try to reduce the lead to just three points. Tigers were now pressing hard for the try that would win the game. A long kick to the corner saw West concede a five metre scrum but the ball was lost when West wheeled the scrum. Further pressure was ended when the referee blew for full-time with no added time despite him signalling time off at one stage during the second half.
The game was a hard workout for the play-off match for promotion against Lymm at Dore Moor on the 28th April. To win that match Tigers will need to again rediscover the touch of converting pressure into points.
Team – Toews, Muller (Ryder), Parkin, Gauche (Hanekom), Joel, Holes, Jones, Dudley, Cox C, Baumberg, Cox J, Trivella, Pound (Richardson), Griffiths, Storey
Subs all used.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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31/03/07 - Tigers 1st XV Guarantee Play-Off Home Advantage with North 2 East League Victory
Sheffield Tigers 31 - Driffield 12
Tigers kicked off with a stiff wind behind them for what was to be one of the best games seen at Dore Moor this season. The pack won two early turnovers before stand-off Chuck Baumberg settled the nerves with two penalties in the sixth and eleventh minutes. Tigers were having the better of the possession and nearly all the territorial advantage. Driffield were finding it hard to make any ground against hard tackling from Tigers. Neil Pearson made a good break that was continued by winger Jon Cox and back rower Morgan Jones before the ball went to ground. On twentyfive minutes from scrum ball Baumberg fed winger Geoff Griffiths an inside ball as he entered the line from the blind side wing. His spin in the attempted tackle enabled him to cross the line for a well taken try and Baumberg converted for 13-0. The Tigers front-row were putting pressure on Driffield and this was rewarded with the final score of the half when Driffield were penalised and Baumberg added three more points on thirtyone minutes to take the score to 16-0.
With Tigers now having to play into the strong wind, the question was whether sixteen points would be enough. Driffield passed early second-half ball down their backs and Chris Cox and Jon Cox needed to put in good tackles to prevent a score. However, Tigers then made good ground to get the ball into the Driffield twentytwo. A penalty to the corner on fifty minutes was followed by the well rehearsed catch and drive with second-row Eddie Gauche scoring to increase the lead to twentyone points. By now the pack were well on top and generating good recycled ball. From a line-out offence a tap penalty saw John Dudley carry the ball forward. It was quickly recycled and slick handling by five players enabled full-back Jon Storey to score in the corner after fiftynine minutes. Almost immediately Driffield caught Tigers napping. A tap penalty on Tigers twentytwo enabled the ball to be passed left for the winger to score in the corner and a good conversion made the score 26-7. With ten minutes to go, Tigers produced the best move seen at Dore Moor this season. The referee played what turned out to be an excellent advantage with Tigers in possession in their own in-goal area. The ball was passed left down the Tigers backs. Doug Trivella gave a reverse pass to keep the ball alive before Stuart Holes cut inside beating three Driffield players. Further quick passes saw the ball go right across the field on halfway before right winger Jon Cox made ground down his wing. He stayed on his feet long enough with three defenders around him for brother Chris to pick up the ball and run in thirty metres down the blindside for an excellent team try. Driffield never stopped trying and scored a second try with just minutes left when their hooker scored a deserved consolation try.
The win guarantees home advantage in the play-off against the runners-up in North 2 West for promotion to North One. The last league game of the season is in two weeks time at West Hartlepool.
Team – Toews, Muller, Parkin(Ryder), Gauche, Joel, Holes, Jones, Dudley, Pearson(Pound), Baumberg,
Griffiths(Trivella), Outram, Cox C, Cox J, Storey
Subs all used.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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24/03/07 - Tigers 1st XV No Match on RFU EDF Cup Weekend
Sheffield Tigers ??
Tigers take a break on this Cup weekend for the Semi-Finals of the RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.
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17/03/07 - Tigers 1st XV Confirm Play-Off Place with North 2 East League Victory
Durham 16 - Sheffield Tigers 30
Durham needed points to help them climb out of the bottom three and their pack started well with good drives and well organised recycling of the ball. An early penalty kick at goal by Tigers went wide and then centre Tom Outram made a good break but could not quite linkup with his support. Another promising move ended with the ball being knocked-on after going both right and left down Tigers back division. The Durham pack were working hard but being denied ground by strong Tigers tackling. The deadlock was broken after sixteen minutes with a penalty to Durham when Tigers were adjudged to be over the top at a ruck. From the restart a Durham clearance kick did not find touch. Full-back Jon Storey took the ball into contact and it was recycled by the forwards and passed down the backs. Left winger Geoff Griffiths entered the line at outside centre from the blind side wing and his pace and strength enabled him to break the defensive line and beat the full-back to score an excellent individual try from thirtyfive metres. Chuck Baumburg converted. Tigers were now getting the better of the possession and territory. A penalty against Durham was kicked to the corner and following a catch and drive by the pack the ball again went down the backs. This time Storey entered the line at pace and was strong enough to take a tackler over the line to score and make the score 12-3 after thirty minutes. Several more moves were stopped in midfield before Baumberg added a long range penalty after thirtyfive minutes. Tigers scrum was now dominant pushing Durham off their ball and the Durham pack were finding any headway difficult.
Immediately after the break, Durham reduced the deficit by three points with a penalty and their pack won a second penalty after fortyfive minutes. The kick fell short but was not caught by Tigers enabling a Durham player to touch down for a converted try and reduce a 15-3 interval score to 15-13. Tigers then stepped up their game. Number eight John Dudley had a good run before Baumberg added three points on fifty minutes. Then came the best move of the match when Tigers opened up from their own twentytwo. Tom Outram made a break and was supported by Doug Trivella and Bossie Muller. Stuart Holes was tackled into touch five metres short. The pressure was capitalised on when shortly after the Durham pack was driven over the line from their put in and Dudley touched down at the base of the scrum after fiftyfive minutes. On sixtythree minutes Durham got three points back and with only seven points in it the Durham pack made Tigers work hard. However, the excellent front row performance was crowned as full time approached when from a scrum thirty metres out wing forward Holes was released and went through a gap in the defence to score under the posts for Baumberg to convert. That made the final score 30-16, a fair reflection of the game where Tigers were superior in all areas.
The win guarantees Tigers place in the play-off for promotion to North One with two league matches still to play. Congratulations to all those players who have played this season and to Richard Selkirk their Director of Coaching and Richard Senior the Director of Rugby. Thanks also to the loyal band of followers present at all away games for their support.
Team – Toews, Muller(Price), Parkin, Gauche, Joel, Holes, Jones, Dudley, Pearson, Baumberg, Griffiths, Outram, Cox C(Pound), Brear(Trivella), Storey.
Subs all used.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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10/03/07 - Tigers 1st XV Consolidate 2nd Place with North 2 East League Victory
Sheffield Tigers 27 - Hartlepool Rovers 8
The match was played on the Sheffield University pitch at Warminster Road as the Dore Moor pitch was still not quite playable. The early exchanges showed that the weeks postponement had affected both teams with numerous passes going astray and balls being knocked-on. Full-back Jon Storey produced an excellent smother tackle to prevent the Hartlepool centre from scoring and then after only seven minutes the referee played an excellent advantage on the half-way line. The ball was moved from Eddie Gauche to Tom Outram and his well timed pass allowed left winger Geoff Griffiths to race in unopposed from thirty metres. Soon after Rovers were penalised on the half-way line and the kick to the corner was followed by a ten metre catch and drive to the line with prop Tom Ryder getting the touch down near the corner for 10-0. Rovers then got into the game with their back-row getting quickly to the break down and their backs looking to use the ball. However, Tigers defence stood firm until the thirtyfirst minute when a quick tap penalty for feeding in the scrum saw wing forward Stuart Holes yellow carded for slowing down play by lying on a tackled player. Rovers kicked the three points and then added a try on half-time from a catch and drive to make the score 10-8 at the break.
Tigers got the second-half off with the start they needed when centre Outram saw a gap in the Rovers midfield and burst through two tacklers to score a well taken try. Stand-off Rob Pound converted to stretch the lead to 17-8. Tigers were now well on top with second rowers Richard Joel and Gauche dominant in the line-out. The ball was being recycled but Rovers defended well and it needed the pack to drive a scrum over the opposition line for number eight John Dudley to score the next try. Nearly all the play was now in the Rovers half and on seventy minutes Tigers scored their fifth and best try. The ball was recycled and passed down the narrow side. Quick hands by wing Gareth Brear saw Storey make ground before delivering a good pass to Holes who finished in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed to leave the score at 27-8.
This was a solid performance after a week off and although Tigers should probably have scored a couple more tries from the possession and territorial advantage they enjoyed in the second-half it sets the squad up well for the trip to Durham next week. A win there will virtually guarantee a play-off spot at the end of the season. The last home game of the season is on 31st March against Driffield.
Team – Ryder(Parkin), Muller, Toews, Gauche, Joel, Dudley(Trivella), Holes, Jones, Pearson, Pound, Brear, Cox C(Johnstone), Outram, Griffiths, Storey.
Subs all used.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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03/03/07 - Tigers 1st XV League Match Postponed at Home due to Waterlogged Pitch
Sheffield Tigers ?? - Hartlepool Rovers ??
Tigers league match at home to Hartlepool Rovers has been postponed to next week as the pitches at Dore Moor were waterlogged after a rainy week and further heavy rain on Friday night.
Team – .
Subs not used - .
Report By:
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24/02/07 - Tigers 1st XV Win Away at Horden to Maintain League Promotion Play-off Place
Horden 15 - Sheffield Tigers 23
Tigers travelled to Horden with six enforced changes to the side beaten last week by Middlesbrough. Two penalties by stand-off Rob Pound gave Tigers an early lead but Horden levelled with two penalties of their own. Just before half-time, full-back Jon Storey scored a try which Pound converted to give Tigers a half-time lead of 13 - 6.
Soon after the re-start, Tigers centres Paul Hirst and Tom Outram combined to put Outram over for a try. Pound converted to stretch the lead to 20 - 6. Horden increased the pressure with three further penalties before Pound sealed the match with a third penalty to make the final score 23 - 15 to Tigers.
This win keeps Tigers second in North 2 East League with a 4 point advantage over third placed West Hartlepool and Tigers will be looking to maintain this lead with a victory in next weeks home match against Hartlepool Rovers.
Team – Parkin(Ryder), Muller, Toews, Gauche, Joel, Hanekom(Emery), Holes, Jones, Pearson, Pound, Brear, Hirst, Outram, Johnstone, Storey.
Subs not used - Trivella.
Report By: No Reporter this week!!
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17/02/07 - Tigers 1st XV 3 Year Unbeaten Home League Record Ended by Middlesbrough
Sheffield Tigers 11 - Middlesbrough 34
Tigers welcomed the league leaders to Dore Moor with an impressive start with fly-half Charles Baumberg making the first break resulting in a penalty for offside, which he converted himself giving Tigers the lead 3 points to nil after only two minutes. However this early pressure couldn't be sustained and the increasing influence of the Middlesbrough pack was continued by a quick break from their scrum-half Wright, catching Tigers offside and the dependable Simon Moore was able to bring the scores level after six minutes to 3 points all. The pattern of the game evolved around the Middlesbrough back-row and half-backs creating a number of attacking chances. However, Middlesbrough were getting penalised a number of times allowing Baumberg to relieve the pressure with good touch kicks gaining precious ground. On twenty minutes the referee issued a yellow card to Middlesbrough flanker Gavin Kingland for hands in the ruck and Baumberg kicked his second penalty to give Tigers a 6 - 3 lead against the run of play. With Middlesbrough restored to fifteen, Wright put in an astute kick for left wing Ross McNeil to chase. This gave Middlesbrough an excellent field position and their dominant pack was able to retrieve the ball and drive hooker Richard Horton over the line for the first try of the match ably converted by Moore, making the score 6 - 10 to the visitors after thirty minutes of play. Tigers now had a fair share of the ball but were unable to benefit from good field positions with a series of dropped passes and lost lineouts. As half-time approached Tigers lost Wasaile Sovatabua with a knee injury and he was replaced by debutant Tom Outram. There was no more scoring and Tigers turned round 6 - 10 down.
Worse was to follow as Tigers made an unforced error from the restart and the Middlesbrough pack picked up and rumbled to the line with loose-head prop Isa Warsama awarded the touchdown. Moore failed to convert from the touchline leaving the score at 6 - 15. Middlesbroughs pack was now controlling long period of the game with half-backs Wright and Lee distributing the ball with ease. Another rolling maul, a feature of the Middlesbrough packs play, resulted in another score on fiftyfive minutes from tight-head prop Chris Horton which Moore converted to extend their lead to 6 - 22. Middlesbrough then scored the best try of the day with Lee feeding hooker Horton and their speedster Andy Micklewright finishing from thirty metres to take the score to 6 - 27. Tigers replaced James Norris with John Dudley and from one of his impact runs the ball was moved to Baumberg who scored a try in the corner. He was unable to convert his own try leaving the score at 11 - 27. Middlesbrough finished the match in style with a solo try from centre Lee Rust converted by Moore to give a final score of 11 - 34.
Middlesbrough were deserved winners with their pack dominant most of the afternoon although the two new boys for Tigers, Gareth Brier and Tom Outram, both did well with limited opportunities. Tigers have a difficult away trip to Horden next week and will look to improve on todays form.
Team – Ryder(Muller), Toews, Parkin, Norris(Dudley), Joel, Hanekom, Holes, Jones, Pearson, Baumberg, Brear, Sovatabua(Outram) , Cox C, Leach, Storey.
Subs all used.
Report By: Stuart Headford
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10/02/07 - Tigers 1st XV No Match on RFU EDF Cup Weekend
Sheffield Tigers ??
Tigers take a break on this Cup weekend for the 4th round of the RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.
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03/02/07 - Tigers 1st XV Good First-half Display Leads to North 2 East League Victory
Morpeth 17 - Sheffield Tigers 27
Morpeth kicked off on a lovely afternoon in Northumberland. They had won their last six matches, including a decisive victory over Driffield last week and the game had all the prospects of a tight tussle. An early positional kick to the Morpeth twenty-two by stand-off Chuck Baumberg saw the ball retained and passed left for Baumberg to make a break. The ball was recycled and wing-forward Edu Hanekom scored a good try wide out after being involved twice in the move. Baumberg converted well to give Tigers the ideal start after just five minutes. From the restart Baumberg made another break which scrum-half Neil Pearson carried on only to be tackled short of the line. The pack were dominating the Morpeth pack and driving them backwards. After ten minutes the pressure told when Morpeth were caught offside and Baumberg slotted the three points. Tigers were continuing to play fifteen man rugby with forwards and backs all involved. A good break by number-eight Morgan Jones saw the ball go to winger George Leach who was tackled just short and it needed further solid defence by Morpeth to repel a dominant Tigers team. Even when Morpeth took three scrums against the head and began to get more ball they were driven back by aggressive tackling from Tigers midfield. On twenty minutes the ball went to winger Doug Trivella whose pass was taken by flanker Stuart Holes who scored near the posts for Baumberg to convert easily. The pressure was now mounting on Morpeth and their desperation to create a score was only added to on thirtytwo minutes when they dropped a ball in centre field, Baumberg kicked on, Morpeth failed to tidy up and Pearson touched down. On forty minutes Pearson scored again after a clever reverse pass inside by Trivella and further excellent support play by Holes. That made the half time score 27-0 with Tigers dominant and Morpeth hardly in Tigers half.
Morpeth now had the breeze at their backs but Tigers continued to have the territorial advantage. The match was being played in centre field until on sixty minutes the Morpeth winger outpaced the defence to score in the corner while Tigers were down to fourteen men following a yellow card for retaliation. Morpeth now started to have more possession and put pressure on Tigers. On seventy minutes their points tally was doubled when they drove over from a tap penalty five metres out. They were now opting to chip ahead having had no success all match at penetrating the Tigers midfield defence. With five minutes left Tigers defence did not deal with another kick ahead and Morpeth scored a converted try near the posts. That added some excitement to the end of the match but Tigers were always going to win after their excellent first half performance. Neil Pearson was rightly man of the match for his two tries and fine all round display. The win sees Tigers three points clear in second place. Next week there is no first team game but in two weeks time it is the visit of North 2 East, clear leaders, Middlesbrough to Dore Moor.
Team – Ryder, Toews, Parkin(Wall), Norris(Dudley), Joel, Hanekom, Holes, Jones, Pearson, Baumberg, Trivella, Sovatabua, Cox C, Leach, Storey(Pound).
Subs all used.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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27/01/07 - Tigers 1st XV Grind Out Win in North 2 East League
Sheffield Tigers 13 - Old Crossleyans 8
This was always going to be a close game as the other fixtures had been over the past two seasons. Tigers played into a cold, stiff breeze during the first half and started well. Neil Pearson in particular started well with an early break to within ten metres of the Crossleyans line. Then on seven minutes from a penalty kick to the corner Pearson was on hand following a forward catch and drive to speed in on the blindside from five metres out. A difficult conversion was narrowly missed by stand-off Chuck Baumberg. Baumberg started to use intelligent short grubber kicks to make ground against the wind and Tigers were enjoying better territorial advantage despite the wind. The game was developing into a midfield stalemate when on their first venture to the Tigers twenty-two after twentythree minutes Crossleyans kicked a penalty when Tigers were given offside. Both sides missed penalty kicks at goal in the difficult wind until with the half coming to its end Tigers gave away a needless penalty in centre field. This was kicked to the twenty-two from where Crossleyans forwards caught the line-out ball and drove over for a try to give them a 8-5 lead. The scores were immediately levelled by a Baumberg penalty after good forward pressure on the Crossleyans line had nearly resulted in a try.
Tigers started the second half pressing hard and winger George Leach made good ground with an inside run. Then a good short ball from Pearson to number eight Morgan Jones was adjudged to be forward as he broke through the Crossleyans defensive line with the tryline open. Play became bogged down in midfield and Tigers brought on all three substitutes after fifty minutes. Although Tigers were enjoying territorial advantage using the strong wind the Crossleyans forwards did not give up and began to have the better of the exchanges. They were able to make good ground with driving mauls and pick up and go and their defence was excellent. However, they were rarely in Tigers half, and for all their territoral advantage, Tigers were unable to score. Full-back Jon Storey was held up over the line and with only five minutes left the home crowd were relieved to see centre Waisale Sovatabua take a crash ball ten metres out and plunge over the line for the winning try.
This was a hard won win but with Driffield losing it enabled Tigers to jump into second place in the league. Next week the players and supporters have a long trip to what could prove to be a difficult match at Morpeth .
Team – Ryder (Muller), Toews, Parkin, Norris (Dudley), Joel, Hanekom, Holes, Jones, Pearson, Baumberg, Cox J, Sovatabua, Cox C, Leach, Pound (Storey).
Subs all used.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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20/01/07 - Tigers 1st XV Lose to North One Side Hull in Preliminary Round of Yorkshire Cup
Hull 34 - Sheffield Tigers 3
This Yorkshire Cup match was always going to be a difficult game against opponents from a higher division. On a remarkably good pitch Tigers kicked off facing the sun and a strong wind. Hull started well, twice taking ball off Tigers in the tackle and using the wind for position. After seven minutes the ball went both ways down their three-quarters creating a space outside the Tigers centres which allowed the Hull full back to cross for a converted try. On sixteen minutes the Hull winger was tackled high just short of the line and with the referee playing advantage a centre went through a gap in the Tigers midfield defence to double the lead. Tigers now started to play and had the better part of the play for the next twenty minutes. The tackling was good and the forwards took the fight to the Hull pack with several good drives, but every time the ball was lost the side found themselves back deep in their own half. Despite Tigers dominance in the front five, the Hull pack were able to get quicker ball and slow down Tigers possession. With half-time approaching winger Jon Cox was given some room by the centres and kicked ahead down the line. The ball was regained by Tigers, but despite excellent support work by captain Harry Toews and number eight Morgan Jones Tigers could not quite get the score they just about deserved. Matters were made a lot more difficult when two silly penalties were conceded in injury time to gift the home side a further six points.
Tigers started the second half strongly handling the ball down the backs and stand-off Chuck Baumberg kicking for field position. After five minutes and good forward drives Baumberg kicked a penalty and Tigers were off the mark. Five minutes later scrum-half Neil Pearson crossed the line but was tackled into touch in goal without being able to ground the ball. On sixty minutes Hull got out of their own half and again made the most of their chances when their wing forward stepped inside a centre to cross the line under the posts. The final score came on sixty five minutes with second-row John Dudley off the field having been harshly sin binned. Hull handled from the half-way line and good support saw their replacement centre score, again converted for 34-3. Tigers never gave up and just before the final whistle a weaving forty metre break by wing forward Stuart Holes nearly saw him score.
Whilst the team did not deserve to lose by over thirty points it showed that against better sides you must score when you have the chances. The home side did this on four occasions for a decisive victory. The match will have been a good learning experience for the younger players and hopefully next Saturday will see the side return to winning ways with a victory in the league against Crossleyans at Dore Moor.
Team – Ryder (Denton), Muller, Toews, Joel, Dudley, Price (Norris), Holes, Jones, Pearson, Baumberg (Butler), J Cox, Pound (Johnstone), C Cox , Leach, Storey.
Sub not used - Trivella.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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13/01/07 - Tigers 1st XV Gain Rare Away Win in North 2 East
Percy Park 16 - Sheffield Tigers 27
This was to be a match of two halves. Tigers started well with the strong wind behind them and after two minutes stand-off Chuck Baumberg ran at the defence before passing to right wing George Leach who crossed in the corner for an unconverted try. This score produced a response from Percy Park who were rewarded for a spell of pressure with a penalty after ten minutes. An attempted Percy Park clearance kick was run back from near halfway by centre John Storey and after beating two players his short pass saw back-row Dave Price in support to score and double Tigers points. Five minutes later scrum-half Neil Pearson broke blind from a scrum and scored easily from twentyfive metres with no defence to be seen. When Percy Park knocked on at a line-out the resultant scrum ball went right and then left for winger Jon Cox to score in the corner. Percy Park then nearly scored but their winger was cut down in sight of the line by an excellent tackle by Leach. With half time approaching the one way traffic continued with the ball being passed to Cox who rounded his opposite winger with ease to score the fifth try of the half, this time converted by Baumberg for 27-3 at half-time.
The team talk at the break certainly had the desired effect on the home team. Early forward pressure saw a close range score by their centre after fortythree minutes and only resolute Tiger defence prevented another quick score. Tigers pack were by no means having it all their own way and despite forcing a turnover when the Percy Park scrum was turned more than ninety degrees the forwards were having difficulty securing good early ball. The home side were using the wind to gain field position and on sixtyfive minutes a penalty made the score 27-11. Although the wind was making handling difficult Tigers and Percy Park were trying to pass the ball, but strong tackling in the midfield made chances few and far between. As the last five minutes started, further Percy Park pressure saw their scrum-half dive over from short range to make the final score 27-16. The score was a fair reflection of play. Percy Park deserve credit for an excellent fighting performance in the second half and Tigers were delighted to have secured a rare away win. The referee Ray Sutherland had a good match, except for his watch stopping and allowing no first half injury time!
Next week sees Tigers travel to Hull of North One for a first round Yorkshire Cup tie.
Team – Ryder, Toews, Parkin (Muller), Gauche, Joel (Dudley), Price, Holes, Jones, Pearson, Baumberg, Cox, Sovatabua (Butler), Storey , Leach, Johnstone.
Subs - All Used
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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06/01/07 - Tigers 1st XV Start New Year with a Victory over Rochdale in North 2 East
Sheffield Tigers 20 - Rochdale 8
The New Year started well with a hard earned but decisive revenge victory over Rochdale. A good crowd saw Tigers set off trying to play attractive rugby in difficult conditions. A chip ahead by stand-off Chuck Baumberg was caught by centre Waisale Sovatabua and good metres made by a forward drive. A Tigers maul was collapsed by Rochdale and the penalty was kicked into the corner only for the line-out to be lost. Rochdale soon conceded another penalty, this time for offside, and prop Tom Ryder smartly took a quick tap to score an unconverted try from 5 metres after eight minutes. Rochdale responded with pressure in the Tigers half before kicking a penalty two minutes later when Tigers were adjudged to have handled on the floor. Both sides were kicking for position. Then came two flowing moves, first by Tigers three-quarters and then by Rochdale, who should have scored had the winger been able to hold the final pass. Sovatabua was again making the hard yards in midfield and when the forwards ripped the ball from an isolated Rochdale defender a short pass saw prop Anthony Parkin bulldoze a defender over the line from short range. That made the score 10-3 after twentytwo minutes. Rochdale again responded but abrasive Tigers defence saw the visitors driven back thirty metres whilst recycling the ball. On thirty minutes the home side scored their third and the best try of the half. Rochdale ball was again stolen and the ball went down the backs to right wing George Leach. He cut inside and number eight Morgan Jones took a pass at full pace. As he was stopped he fed a short inside ball to the supporting Neil Pearson who scored. Parkin then had to leave the field with a facial injury, enabling John Dudley to make his debut for the club. With half-time approaching centre Paul Hirst was yellow carded and Rochdale pressed hard. They crossed the Tigers line but the referee decided that the ball had not been grounded and then a straight forward penalty kick at goal went wide.
Rochdale continued to pressure Tigers at the start of the second half and the team had to show why they have the best defensive record in the league with a series of crunching tackles. Jones, Dudley and Baumberg all made big hits before Jones was yellow carded on sixtyfive minutes. This and the loss of Sovatabua with a hamstring injury disrupted Tigers attacking options and Rochdale continued to press. With only seven minutes left the ball went down the Rochdale backs and their right winger scored in the corner. At 15-8 there was only one score in it but the game was secured when substitute Bossie Muller fed the ball to winger Leach who raced forty metres down the wing to score the last points of the match.
The score was a fair reflection of the balance of play and all the players worked hard after their three week Xmas lay off to earn the 20-8 win. Next Saturday Tigers travel to Newcastle to play bottom club, Percy Park.
Team – Ryder, Toews, Parkin (Dudley), Joel, Gauche, Holes, Price (Muller), Jones, Pearson, Baumberg, Cox, Sovatabua (Johnstone), Hirst, Leach , Evans
Subs - All Used
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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16/12/06 - Tigers 1st XV Complete Comprehensive Double over Local Rivals in North 2 East
Sheffield 3 - Sheffield Tigers 37
This eagerly awaited return fixture was delayed at the start while a hole on the touchline was filled in before the referee would allow kick-off. This did not go well for Tigers as the ball failed to travel the required ten metres but the resultant scrum was turned ninety degrees by the pack and this enabled early pressure to be put on Sheffield. Two Sheffield line-outs were stolen and the first ten minutes were spent in the home sides half. Both sets of backs made handling errors with Sheffield missing the best chance when they failed to score in the corner in their first venture into the Tiger’s half. The Tigers possession and territory was made to tell after twenty minutes when the home side conceded a penalty on their twenty-two and full back De Wet Nortje kicked the three points. The Sheffield tactic at this stage was high balls put up by their stand-off rather than handling down their three-quarters. On twenty three minutes the scores were tied when Tom Gray replied for Sheffield with a penalty after Tigers defence was stretched by a good inside run by Sheffield number eight Nick Pearson. Both sides then missed penalty attempts and a drop goal attempt by Sheffield number ten, Will Moroney was off target. After an excellent move by the Tigers backs and a good break by centre Wasaile Sovatabua, stand-off Chuck Baumberg decided that the team needed some return from their territorial and possessional advantage and coolly dropped a good goal as the half came to an end.
Tigers tactic early in the second half was to drive Sheffield back with kicks to the corners. On fortyseven minutes after a skirmish amongst the forwards Tigers were awarded a penalty that they elected to kick into the corner. The catch and ten metre drive got the ball over the line but the referee decided that it had not been grounded. However, the resultant five metre scrum was taken over the line and number eight Morgan Jones claimed the try with scrum-half Neil Pearson in close attendance. Tigers were now getting on top and twelve minutes later after a period of forward pressure Baumberg gave a superb pass to back-row Stuart Holes who went between the Sheffield centres, stepped inside the full-back and scored near the posts. Nortje converted and Tigers led 18-3 and the result was no longer in doubt. Sheffield then came back strongly but their best chance of a try was spoilt by foul play by them. On sixtyfive minutes Baumberg’s strength saw him make an outside break past his opposite numbers attempted tackle and neatly step inside the full-back to score with Nortje again converting. Two minutes later the large crowd were treated to a delightful try. Sheffield were attacking when they were robbed of the ball near the Tigers twenty-two. An early long miss pass to Nortje saw him make an outside break and release substitute right wing Craig Beattie. He made fifty metres before giving an inside pass to Rob Pound who had the skill and strength to score with Nortje adding the further two points. As the match went into the last ten minutes the Tigers backs again showed their superiority and running skills. From deep in their own half Nortje ran the ball sixty metres down the left hand touchline with defenders in his wake. As he got to the last defender he flipped an inside pass to the ever supporting Holes who scored the final points of the match to give Tigers a comprehensive 37-3 victory.
Mention should be made of the excellent refereeing performance of Kevin Crawshaw who maintained control whilst at the same time letting the game flow. With Driffield losing at Rochdale it was a good day all round for Tigers. Particularly pleasing for coach Richard Selkirk will be that in the two matches against our local rivals the side have scored eleven tries and conceded none. The second team also completed the double over Sheffield and the club go into the Xmas break in very good spirits. The first team now need to get the New Year off to a good start with a victory in the return home match against Rochdale on January 6th.
Team – Ryder, Toews, Parkin (Price), Norris, Joel (Gauche), Holes, Knaggs, Jones, Pearson, Baumberg, Cox, Sovatabua, Pound, Leach (Beattie), Nortje
Subs - All Used
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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09/12/06 - Tigers 1st XV No Match on RFU EDF Cup Weekend
Sheffield Tigers ??
Tigers take a break on this Cup weekend for the 3rd round of the RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup.
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02/12/06 - Tigers 1st XV Narrow Away Loss in North 2 East League Match
Driffield 21 - Sheffield Tigers 18
Tigers kicked off in a match that was a must win four pointer against the team second in the league and three points ahead of Tigers. The side made a good start to the game when the hanging kick-off was claimed by the forwards allowing the backs to run the ball but a good Driffield tackle saw the ball turned over. On four minutes the Driffield stand-off dropped a goal to ensure points on the board from his sides first visit to Tigers twentytwo. Chuck Baumberg made an excellent break towards the Driffield posts but unfortunately the move could not be finished with a try. Play was fluctuating early on but after ten minutes quick recycling by the Driffield forwards saw a try scored in the left hand corner to give the home team an 8-0 lead. It was then the turn of Tigers to recycle the ball and Driffield were forced to concede a penalty by handling on the floor after seventeen minutes. The kick to the corner was followed by a line-out catch and drive that created enough space on the narrow side for Baumberg to crash over and ground the ball. Tigers were now enjoying both territorial and possessional advantage and it took a good tackle to halt winger Jon Cox on his way to the line. Following a good run out of defence by fullback De Wet Nortje, Driffield were reduced to fourteen players when a second-row was sin binned for a professional foul. Baumberg again crossed the line but the referee judged that this time he had not been able to ground the ball. Tigers were pressing hard and wing forward Stuart Holes turned over Driffield possession only for the referee to harshly adjudge him to have not been on his feet when he stole the ball. This decision relieved the pressure on the home defence. Tigers were then reduced to fourteen men when centre Wasaile Sovatabua was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle. With half time approaching and the score still 5-8 it looked as if the team would turn round to have the wind in their favour only three points adrift. Sadly, quick passing down the home backs saw their left winger score wide out for a 13-5 interval lead.
Tigers now had the diagonal wind in their favour. Centre Sovatabua was being used to make ground in the midfield and on fifty minutes Nortje kicked three points when Driffield gave away a penalty. Driffield replied with three points five minutes later when Tigers were penalised for a high tackle but only a minute later Nortje kicked his second penalty to reduce the deficit to 16-11. A long weaving run from defence by Nortje saw the pressure put on the Driffield defence again. His pass saw John Storey release winger Alan Johnstone who was tackled on the Driffield twentytwo. Harry Toews recycled the ball and Baumberg was quick enough to speed through a gap to score his second try near the posts and Nortje added the conversion to give Tigers the lead at 18-16 with fifteen minutes to play. Straight away Driffield kicked to the Tigers twentytwo and stole possession from a Tigers player. Two quick passes left saw their winger step inside to score an opportunist try as the Tigers defence was caught out of position. Tigers were now three points down but with five minutes left should have levelled the scores but a penalty miss enabled Driffield to maintain their slender lead. Prop John Ashley was then yellow carded for retaliation following a possible stamping by a Driffield forward and try as they might the pack did not have enough muscle to get the ball over the try line from both a line-out catch and drive and a scrum as the injury time ran out. The home team and supporters were delighted with the result but Tigers were unlucky not to get a point and probably deserved both points that would have kept them in touch with second place and the chance of a promotion play off.
Team - Ashley, Toews, Ryder, Norris, Gauche (Joel), Holes, Hanekom (Trivella), Jones, Pearson, Baumberg, Cox, Sovatabua, Pound (Storey), Johnstone, Nortje
Subs - All Used
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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25/11/06 - Tigers 1st XV Swap Places with West Hartlepool after North 2 East League Victory
Sheffield Tigers 19 - West Hartlepool 5
Before the match there was a minutes silence for players and spectators to pay their respects to long term servant of the club Gerry Roberts. Gerry would have been delighted with the start Tigers made to the match, scoring two tries in the first ten minutes. After only two minutes prop John Ashley carried the ball over the West ten metre line and the move was continued by skipper Harry Toews before stand-off Chuck Baumberg made a half break. Stuart Holes picked up a loose ball and sped in unopposed from twenty metres. The conversion attempt came back off the post. On ten minutes centre Waisale Sovatabua straightened a move inside the West twenty-two before feeding a short ball to Holes who took a would be tackler with him over the line. Full back De Wet Nortje converted for a 12-0 score. West Hartlepool now came into the game and forced Tigers into a spell of tackling practice. Heavy West pressure was relieved first by an excellent sixty metre touch kick by Nortje and then by a good break by scrum-half Neil Pearson. When West were at last penalised for a blatant offside Tigers kicked to the corner and from controlled line-out ball Nortje entered the line to beautifully step the West full-back to score a try he converted himself. Further Tigers pressure with the following wind saw Holes twice just denied his hat trick, once by a close call on a forward pass, and the half time score remained at 19-0.
West Hartlepool now had the strengthening wind behind them. Their cause was helped by the sin-binning of Ashley for a minor offence and they immediately moved the ball wide only for their left winger to be well tackled in the corner by Tigers cover defence. The penalty count against Tigers was continuing to mount enabling West to enjoy their best spell of the match. This pressure saw them score a fortuitous try when a long downfield punt to the corner was not cleared and the ball adjudged to be grounded. West were still taking quick tap penalties and kicking deep into Tigers twenty-two. Tigers in turn were looking to run ball from their own twenty-two and winger George Leach had one excellent run. Tigers finished strongly with forwards and backs combining to carry the ball the full length of the field. Unfortunately a penalty kick was missed into the now strong wind and the final score of 19-5 was a fair reflection of play. West finished the match with fourteen men when they had a player red carded for what seemed to be careless use of his foot.
This was a good performance against a team who arrived one place ahead of Tigers with only two defeats but left one place behind on points difference. Tigers defence was superb and West rarely looked like scoring. Waisale Sovatabua was man of the match for the breaks and hard yards he made all afternoon, but the whole team played well. Next week sees the biggest match of the season to date with an away trip to second placed Driffield, themselves surprisingly held to an away draw today by rivals Sheffield.
Team - Ashley (Parkin), Toews, Ryder, Norris, Gauche, Holes, Knaggs, Jones, Pearson, Baumberg, Cox, Sovatabua, Pound, Leach, Nortje
Subs not used – Price, Beattie
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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18/11/06 - Tigers 1st XV Fight Back Not Quite Enough in RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup Tie
Caldy 23 - Sheffield Tigers 12
Caldy started the second round RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup tie on a sunny but windy afternoon on the Wirral. The home side exerted early pressure and after ten minutes a catch and drive from a line-out saw their hooker ground the ball for a seven point score. Tigers now got into the game with a fifty metre break when the Caldy backs dropped the ball and then were unlucky when debutant stand-off Dewet Nortje could not retain the ball on his way to the try line after an excellent break. Two mistakes by Tigers then allowed Caldy to gain sixty metres using both their forwards and their backs and Tigers were forced into conceding a penalty when the threequarters were adjudged offside in front of the posts. That increased the Caldy lead to ten points. The Tigers pack then made good drives into Caldy territory but eventually the ball was turned over. The home side nearly increased their lead on thirty minutes when after a good break by their backs the Caldy left winger was well tackled into touch just short of the line. With half-time in sight Tigers were reduced to fourteen men when Stuart Holes received a harsh yellow card. That only served to galvanise the Tigers pack and with centre Doug Trivella adding to the back- row the defence held firm to half-time to trail by only 0-10.
Both sides opened the second-half looking to play fifteen man rugby. Almost as soon as Holes returned it was Caldy’s turn to play with fourteen men but unfortunately after a good Tigers drive a reasonably straight forward penalty kick at goal was missed. Despite being a man down Caldy were now having the better of the play but poor handling and good Tigers defence prevented further scores. However, on sixty minutes a penalty kick to touch enabled Caldy to reproduce the line-out catch and drive of the first-half to score another seven points to leave Tigers trailing by 0-17. The flood gates could now have opened but Tigers showed great fighting spirit. An excellent forty metre run by Edu Hanokem off a Caldy clearance kick enabled Tigers to put pressure on the Caldy line and Hanekom himself broke from the ruck to score from ten metres. Two minutes later Tigers backs attacked from their own twenty-two. Winger George Leach made ground down the left and the ball was moved to Alan Johnstone, to Nortje and finally to Tim Bowman who scored under the posts for as good a try as the Caldy spectators will see all season. The successful conversion cut the lead to just five points. The home side were now having, by their own spectators admissions, their hardest match of the year. Unfortunately, Caldy still had sufficient energy left to rally and put enough pressure on Tigers to force two late penalties to secure a 12-23 victory.
This was an excellent performance by Tigers against a team four points clear at the top of North 1, the league above Tigers.
Several regular players were unavailable and the strength of the first team squad was clearly shown. If the team had played this well in the matches against Crossleyans and Rochdale they would still be top of the league. However, on this form they remain promotion candidates and much will now hinge on next week’s home match against third placed West Hartlepool and the following week’s match at second placed Driffield. Two wins and we are right back up there.
Team - Wall (Price), Toews, Ashley, Joel (Norris), Knaggs, Holes, Hanekom, Jones, Holmes, Nortje, Leach, Sovatabua, Trivella (Johnstone), Bowman, Pound.
Subs not used - Emery.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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11/11/06 - Tigers 1st XV Triumph in First Ever RFU League Encounter with Sheffield Club
Sheffield Tigers 36 - Sheffield 3
This historic meeting, the first ever league fixture between the two sides, was played on a windy, grey day at Dore Moor. Both sides needed the points, Sheffield to ease their relegation worries and Tigers to maintain their hopes of promotion. Sheffield kicked off with a strong wind at their backs after a minutes silence in respect of those who have been killed in all wars. They put early pressure on Tigers but the defence was up to the task. Fierce and over enthusiastic tackling led to both captains being spoken to by the referee. There were a lot of errors early on due to the wind but slowly the Tigers pack were able to establish superiority. After fifteen minutes stand-off Chuck Baumberg tried to flick on line-out ball but the attempt hit the ground. A kind bounce was gathered by centre Waisale Sovatabua who raced through the Sheffield mid-field to open the scoring. Baumberg converted with a drop-kick into the strong, gusting wind. The lead was immediately cut to four points by a penalty kicked by Will Moroney when Tigers were caught offside at a ruck. Tigers were now playing mostly in the Sheffield half as the pack took a scrum against the head and a line-out on Sheffield ball. Sheffield defended strongly and the referee decided after twentyfive minutes that a yellow card to each side was needed to keep the rugby flowing. The Tigers forwards continued to press and after a further Sheffield infringement Tigers opted for a scrum near the try line. The Sheffield pack were driven back, the ball came loose and second row Richard Joel scored against his old club. Tigers continued to take the game to Sheffield and were now using their backs who gained fifty metres. From play following a line-out on the Sheffield twenty-two Baumberg saw a gap in the midfield defence, shot through and was strong enough to take the full-back over the line with him as he scored. That made the score 17-3 as half-time approached with Tigers still to have the use of the wind. The Tigers pack ended the half by giving the opposition a taste of what could happen in the second period with a twenty metre driving maul.
Scrum-half Neil Pearson made a good break in open play early in the half and when Sheffield made a mess of clearing up the ball a scrum resulted in their twenty-two. Tigers won the ball and John Storey, who had come on to replace Baumberg, ran straight through the first line of defence before the ball went to number eight Morgan Jones who scored a try which Pound converted. Stuart Holes was now beating the Sheffield back-row to the break down and getting much of the fifty-fifty balls. However, the Tigers pack were prevented from exercising their full dominance when a Sheffield front row injury forced the scrums to become uncontested. Tigers were trying to handle despite the wind and the Sheffield players were having to concede penalties in desperate defence. On sixtyfive minutes Storey ran a ball blind and popped it up to Jones who again crossed the line for Pound to convert. Five minutes later another forward drive enabled Jones to complete his twenty minute hat trick. After that, although both sides continued to try to handle the ball, the worsening conditions of drizzle and bad light meant that the match petered out with errors and penalties.
Tigers fully earned their excellent win by virtue of scoring six tries to nil. Morgan Jones was Tigers man of the match with an excellent all round display. Most of the crowd of over 400 were delighted with the result which lifts Tigers to fourth in the league but keeps Sheffield anchored one place off the bottom. Mention must be made of the excellent display of referee Craig Smith of the London Society. Also, well done to Tigers second team on their fine 27-9 win at Abbeydale in their Merit game against the previously undefeated Sheffield second string. Finally, a special mention to Tigers fans for their strong support at both matches and for the excellent singing in a packed club house after the game.
Next week the team travel to Caldy in the second round of the RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup where they will need to play well against a team top of the division above.
Team – Ryder, Toews, Parkin, Joel, Knaggs, Holes, Jones, Cutts (Price), Pearson, Baumberg (Storey), Cox, Pound, Sovatabua, Bowman, Beattie
Subs not used - Norris.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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04/11/06 - Tigers 1st XV Outplayed at Rochdale in North 2 East
Rochdale 23 - Sheffield Tigers 7
The match started with both sides looking to play open rugby on a grey autumnal day at Rochdale. The Rochdale stand-off gave early indication of his ability with a break from his own half that was only stopped by a good tackle on Tigers twenty-two. Despite plenty of possession and territorial advantage Tigers could not show the finishing edge they do at home and all the pressure came to nothing when a penalty attempt at goal went wide. Rochdale however were showing plenty of penetration and they took the lead after nineteen minutes when a good break by their centre saw full-back Craig Beattie pull off a good tackle, but from advantage after a penalty Steven Collins the Rochdale stand-off scored a try he then converted. Tigers again had territorial advantage and when Rochdale gave away a penalty for handling on the floor Tigers kicked to the corner. The chance was wasted when the referee adjudged the throw in too slow. The five minutes before half-time settled the result. First Tigers dropped the ball wide out when in a good attacking position. Then they conceded a penalty and a further ten metres for a comment. The penalty was kicked to the corner and the line-out ball driven over by the Rochdale number eight at the second attempt. Only a minute later from a too deep restart by Tigers Rochdale attacked down the left wing and the centre finished off a good long range try to make the half time score 17 - 0.
After fifty minutes captain Harry Toews came on as a replacement but Rochdale were still creating space out wide and Tigers losing possession with poor ball retention. Tigers were matching the smaller Rochdale pack but were unable to enforce any sustained superiority. Two penalties increased the deficit to 23 - 0. With full-time approaching Tigers at last managed to release winger Jon Cox who was well tackled into touch. However, shortly afterwards in the gathering gloom the Tigers pack did succeed in driving the opposition over the line and Toews emerged with the ball. Rob Pound converted.
The day ended even more gloomily for the team when the coach broke down on the return and it took five hours to get back to Sheffield.
Team – Ryder, Price (Toews), Parkin, Joel, Norris, Holes, Hanokem. Jones, Pearson, Pound, Cox, Storey, Sovatabua, Bowman (Johnstone), Beattie
Sub - not used, Emery.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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28/10/06 - Tigers 1st XV Off to Flying Start in RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup
Sheffield Tigers 50 - Bromsgrove 5
Tigers welcomed Bromsgrove for the first time to Dore Moor on a mild but breezy afternoon. The opening minutes of the game were very scrappy and not until Rob Pound found a good field position were either side able to exert any early pressure. From this Stuart Holes made a significant break supported by Ed Knaggs and quick transfer of the ball by the backs allowed Jon Cox to cross the line in the corner to open the scoring on seven minutes, Pound failed with the conversion in difficult conditions for the kickers. There then followed some good team play from Tigers with good interplay from Morgan Jones, Waisale Sovatabua and Pound causing problems for the Bromsgrove defence. Tigers should have seen their lead increase at this stage but the last pass and some good work by the Bromsgrove defence kept them out. The impetus this gave to Bromsgrove was epitomised by some good work from scrum-half Lee Ward who was leading Bromsgrove back into the match and again simple work and quick transfer of the ball allowed wing Simon Lamass to score in the corner for 5 - 5 on 21 minutes. The play was now very even with neither side able to dominate until a penalty conceded by Bromsgrove allowed Tigers to kick for the corner. From the resulting lineout, a catch and drive by Knaggs led to a successful driving maul which allowed Tom Ryder to score. Again Pound was unable to convert in windy conditions. Tigers now led 10 - 5 and were starting to gain the upper hand despite playing into a strong wind and with the influential Sovatabua making an impact with his strong runs and support play. Unfortunately he then had to leave the field with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Paul Hirst just before half-time.
Tigers turned round with the wind at their backs and made early progress with Tim Bowman going close and from the ensuing driving maul a Bromsgrove lock was sin-binned for slowing down the ball. Tigers took full advantage and a clever break from Ryder saw him score his second try with Pound now able to master the conditions and gain his first successful kick as Tigers increased the lead to 17 - 5. Edu Hanekom then replaced Ian Cutts and announced his arrival with thirty metre run carried on by Hirst and James Norris. The ball was moved wide and Cox was bundled into touch just short of the line. Tigers were now in full control and when the Bromsgrove prop was red carded for stamping, Tigers were able to feed Bowman who scored with Pound converting. Tigers now gave Paul Emery his first start of the season as he replaced Jones who had had an effective afternoon at number eight. Further good teamwork followed and good interplay from Ryder and Pound saw Holes offload in the tackle to Neil Pearson who scored under the posts. Pound converted to stretch the lead to 31 - 5. Bromsgrove were now back to 14 men but Tigers remained in the driving seat and on seventy minutes Cox from twentytwo metres was able to squeeze in at the corner for his second try of the game, Pound shaving the post from the touchline leaving the score at 36 - 5. From the restart Holes made forty metres and from the resultant scrum Tigers pack won the ball against the head, Hanekom picked up from the base of the scrum and scored from forty metres brushing off several would be tacklers on the way. Pound again converted. Tigers were now in full flow and Hanekom again made the initial impact before offloading to the ever supporting Holes who finished the try scoring to emphasise his all round display as Tigers most effective player in what was a very good team performance. Pound concluded the scoring converting his fifth of the afternoon’s eight tries to give a final score of 50 - 5.
Team – Parkin, Muller, Ryder, Norris, Knaggs, Cutts (Hanekom), Holes, Jones (Emery), Pearson, Pound, Cox, Sovatabua (Hirst), Storey, Bowman, Beattie
Sub not used – Price
Report By: Stuart Headford
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21/10/06 - Tigers 1st XV Back on Track with North 2 East Victory
Sheffield Tigers 36 - Percy Park 5
Percy Park kicked off with the breeze behind them and the sun in Tigers eyes. Early missed touch kicks by Tigers saw the ball returned with interest by Percy Park. Both sets of forwards managed good drives and Tigers showed their advantage in the set piece with a wheel of the opposition pack. Another forward drive by the Tigers pack saw the ball handled by the backs only to be knocked-on in the Percy Park twenty-two. A home penalty kick at goal was missed when the wind held the ball up. Strong tackling by the away side was limiting Tigers progress and another opportunity came to nothing when good ball was not passed out down the line. The first score did not come until the 30th minute. Tigers lost the ball in the tackle in sight of the Percy Park line. However, they were awarded a free kick for a defensive offence in the scrum. A reset scrum was opted for and centre Waisale Sovatabua stepped inside his man and had the power to cross the line for a try converted by Rob Pound. A good break by winger Tim Bowman was carried on by back-row Morgan Jones only for the ball to again be knocked on near the try line. Percy Park cleared to the half-way line but fullback Craig Beattie ran the ball back through half the opposing team to score a superb individual try to increase the lead to 12-0 after thirtyfive minutes. The half ended with a needless penalty for over the top at a ruck enabling Percy Park to pressure the Tigers line, but then it was their turn to knock-on as the half came to an end.
Tigers had to replace captain Harry Toews with Bossie Muller at half-time due to injury. Yet another final pass went to ground before Pound kicked a penalty awarded when Percy Park were judged offside. Percy Park then responded with their best spell of the game. In two forward surges they drove the ball and the Tigers pack from the half-way line to score a deserved try by second row Carl Griffiths. However, the ten point gap was soon increased by another great individual try. Quick line-out ball saw wing forward Stuart Holes enter the three-quarter line at speed, straighten and quicken through a gap and beat the fullback on the outside for pace. Pound converted for 22-5 after fiftythree minutes. Further pressure saw Sovatabua score his second try with Pound again converting to increase the lead to 29-5. By now it was all Tigers in terms of both possession and territory. However, despite most of the ball, an excellent defensive effort by Percy Park and lack of finishing by Tigers meant that the margin did not increase until the last minute of the match. Again Holes made the initial break. Sovatabua brushed off his man and left wing Jon Cox scored in the corner. Pound completed an excellent afternoon with the boot as his kick sailed straight and true between the uprights to make the final score 36-5.
Mention must be made of the way the match was refereed by Stephen Lee who had a good game.
This was a bit more like the way in which Tigers can play, and although patchy in parts was a big improvement on last week. The improvement needs to continue next week when the team are at home to Midlands 2 West Bromsgrove in the first round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup. Let us hope that the worsening injury situation improves and that several players are ready to return to action.
Team - Toews (Muller), Price, Parkin, Norris, Joel (Cutts), Knaggs, Holes, Jones, Pearson, Pound, Cox, Sovatabua, Storey (Hirst), Bowman, Beattie.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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14/10/06 - Tigers 1st XV Too Many Missed Chances Leads to Defeat in North 2 East
Old Crossleyans 15 - Sheffield Tigers 10
The match was played in warmer conditions than the game last season but the result was the same, with Tigers again losing by five points. Tigers had the advantage of the slope and the sun in the eyes of Crossleyans in the first half. Jon Storey, playing at stand-off used his boot to kick for position and following a good run by Neil Pearson an early score went begging when his pass was knocked-on in front of the Crossleyans posts with the try line open. Another good break, this time by Stuart Holes again came to nothing when the ball was again not taken cleanly with a score threatening. After fifteen minutes Crossleyans made Tigers pay for their lack of finishing with a clinically executed try. Their stand-off fed a short ball to the fullback coming into the line and he had the pace and strength to get through the Tigers defence before passing to the left winger who scored to give Crossleyans a seven point lead. Tigers continued to play expansive rugby and were rewarded for their endeavour two minutes later when Crossleyans were adjudged offside and Rob Pound kicked the penalty. On twenty five minutes Storey fed Stuart Holes who went through a gap in the Crossleyans defence to cross the line wide out. With presence of mind he side stepped a defender in the in-goal area before grounding the ball under the posts to make the conversion easy for Pound. The lead was short lived as on thirty four minutes Tigers were given offside and Crossleyans won line-out ball from the resultant kick to the corner. After pressure their scrum-half scored wide out. The half-time score became 15-10 to Crossleyans when they kicked a long range penalty when Tigers were again offside at a ruck.
Tigers had most of the possession and territory in the second half but neither side added to their scores. A penalty kick at goal by Tigers was missed after fifty minutes and although centres Paul Hirst and Waisale Sovatabua broke through the Crossleyans midfield chances were not finished off. The ball went to ground too frequently in good positions, and that, and the three to one penalty count against Tigers, relieved pressure on Crossleyans defence.
This was a disappointing performance and it is to be hoped that the team get back to winning ways next week at home to Percy Park before the Cup game against Bromsgrove in two weeks time.
Team - Toews, Price (Parkin), Ashley, Joel, Knaggs, Jones, Holes, Hanekom, Pearson, Storey, Cox, Sovatabua, Hirst, Johnstone, Pound. Subs not used - Robinson, Bowman.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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07/10/06 - Tigers 1st XV Second Half Effort Secures North 2 East Victory
Sheffield Tigers 21 - Morpeth 12
Tigers started the first half playing into a strong wind. They recycled the ball well but were under early pressure in the scrum. This was exacerbated when they lost prop Tom Ryder with an arm injury. A good drive by forwards and backs came to nothing when the ball was knocked-on and shortly after a Morpeth score from a tap penalty was only prevented because the player was held up over the line. Good defence by Tigers number eight Edu Hanekom prevented Morpeth scoring but in the eighteenth minute the ball was passed down their backs and left winger Nick Harper crossed the line to give the visitors a 5-0 lead. Tigers were finding it hard to contain the Morpeth front five and good work in the line out to steal the opposition throw in was wasted when the ball was turned over immediately by the Morpeth pack. Tigers best chance of the half came when a strong run by centre Paul Hirst saw winger Jonny Cox tackled into touch just short of the line. When Morpeth were adjudged to not roll away from the ball stand-off Richard Butler was successful with the penalty kick for Tigers first score. It was looking as if that would be the half-time score until disappointing tacking allowed the Morpeth full-back to score under the posts for a converted try two minutes before half-time. The situation was nearly made worse when a penalty on the half-way line was moved forward ten minutes by the referee but the kick was wide and the score remained at 12-3 to Morpeth.
Tigers now had the wind but knew that they also had a lot of work to do. The tactics were now for the forwards set up a platform from which Butler (and his replacement, Jon Storey) could kick for position. On fifty minutes the Tigers pack were really up against it when Hanekom was sin-binned but this only served to galvanise the team. A penalty kick to the corner saw a text book move. After a catch and drive the ball was released down the backs and winger Cox had the pace to score in the corner. Centre Rob Pound added an excellent conversion. The deficit was now only one point and Storey was pinning Morpeth in their twenty two with superb long kicks downfield. A drop goal attempt by Storey never got airborne and a penalty attempt was missed by Morpeth before Pound struck an excellent penalty to give Tigers the lead for the first time after 68 minutes. The same player added a further penalty on 77 minutes but the game was not over until the sixth minute of injury time when Hanekom powered over through the Morpeth centres.
This was a performance where Tigers had to show real character and roll up their sleeves against a strong Morpeth pack. It was good to see Anthony Parkin on the field for nearly the full match as replacement for Tom Ryder. The win will stand the team in good stead for the tough away fixtures to come in this league, starting next week at Crossleyans, where we suffered our only league defeat last season.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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30/09/06 - Tigers 1st XV Miss out at Middlesbrough in First North 2 East Defeat
Middlesbrough 37 - Sheffield Tigers 20
Tigers travelled to Acklam Park with an undefeated record almost identical to that of Middlesbrough. The match kicked off in perfect playing conditions and the early pressure came from Tigers, but missed opportunities in the form of poor passing and the miss of an early penalty on four minutes was to prove costly. It was not until the tenth minute that Middlesbrough were able to mount their first attack and despite some good defensive work from fly-half Chuck Baumberg, the pressure from the Middlesbrough pack allowed second-row Hinchley to score with Moore adding the conversion to take a 7 - 0 lead. Then it was Tigers turn to put the pressure on, only to be foiled again by the final pass going astray. This was followed by a period of Middlesbrough pressure with again Baumberg tackling to the fore. Tigers did not seem to be getting the rub of the green when a forward pass went unnoticed and Tigers were then penalised for hands in the ruck. Moore kicked an easy penalty to take the Middlesbrough lead to 10 - 0 after fifteen minutes. Tigers again had the ascendancy for a short period, however a chest injury to Baumberg seemed to upset the rythym of the side. He was replaced by Doug Trivella on twentyfour minutes and almost immediately Rob Pound was called on to takeover the kicking responsibilities. He gained Tigers first points with a well struck penalty for offside by the Middlesbrough backs to take the score to 10 - 3 after twentyfive minutes. Middlesbrough then missed two further penalties chances and under mounting pressure Tigers conceded a try to No.8 Bradford which wasn't converted. With just four minutes to half-time Dave Price received a yellow card for hands in the ruck but the home side were unable to capitalise on the extra man, leaving a half-time score of 15 - 3 in favour of the home side.
Tigers made a change at half-time with prop John Ashley replacing Bohsi Muller and Harry Toews moving to hooker. Tigers again started the half well creating a penalty chance for Pound from wide out which he was unable to convert. But Tigers problems with poor passing continued and despite territorial advantage allied to good defensive work from Middlesbrough, Tigers were unable to score despite good work from John Storey and John Cox. Cox was not seeing a lot of the ball but looked Tigers most decisive runner when in possession. Again from a Tigers mistake in a good attacking position, Middlesbrough made a lot of ground from a good break by centre Richardson and in the ensuing ruck Tigers were again penalised. With the penalty kick, Moore extended the Middlesbrough lead to 18 - 3. Price returned to bring Tigers back to fifteen men and almost immediately the referee sent the Middlesbrough second-row Webb to the sin-bin for the same offence. Tigers were able to profit from the sin-binning with prop Tom Ryder scoring after quick thinking from a penalty and Pound adding the conversion to make the score 18 - 10 to the home side. The match was now finely balanced with some entertaining passages of play from both sides which for the neutral made interesting watching. The turning point in the match came just after a failed drop goal attempt by the Middlesbrough full-back Moore. From the ensuing drop-out the Middlesbrough backs moved the ball swiftly to right wing Micklewright who finished well in the corner. A good conversion by Moore increased the Middlesbrough lead to 25 - 10 after sixtyfive minutes. The final quarter saw a flurry of scoring starting with a fine individual try by Cox with a blindside break and excellent pace to beat the Middlesbrough cover. The conversion was missed leaving the deficit at 10 points. Price was replaced by Ian Cutts for his first outing of the season but he was unable to do anything about the next Middlesbrough score. It started with a shade of good fortune as a forward pass again went unnoticed which allowed Micklewright to score his second try and Moore to convert taking the score to 32 - 15. Middlesbrough were now in control and some very poor defensive organisation by Tigers from a twentytwo metre drop-out allowed second-row Hinchley to score his second try of the match almost untouched. The try was unconverted but extended the Middlesbrough lead to 37 - 15. Tigers completed the scoring with a fine team effort to give Storey a run in from the twentytwo to make the final score 37 - 20 to Middlesbrough.
Tigers will not face much better opposition this season and Middlesbrough will no doubt be in the mix for promotion back to North 1 in April. Tigers should take something from the game but will rue the missed opportunities in the first fifteen minutes of the match.
Report By: Stuart Headford
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23/09/06 - Tigers 1st XV Impressive Display of Fifteen Man Rugby in North 2 East Victory
Sheffield Tigers 45 - Horden 6
Horden started strongly with their forwards driving a maul 30 metres. In the early stages the visitors were enjoying most of the possession and territory. On 5 minutes their pressure was rewarded when they took a deserved lead through a penalty. They continued to dominate in their forwards for the first quarter. Then Tiger’s stand-off Charles Baumburg decided to run a ball from under Tigers’ posts. The ball went between the centres and back to Baumburg, who fed number eight Morgan Jones, and he raced in from 40 metres. Baumburg converted for 7-3. On the half hour Edu Hanekom ripped the ball off an opponent on the Tiger 10 metre line, made ground, and then the ball was passed left. Rob Pound chipped towards the posts and won the race to the touch down for a converted try and 14-3. Two minutes later a super miss pass in the backs saw full back Craig Beattie enter the line at pace, make 30 metres and then link with winger Jonny Cox who scored his first try for the club. Horden reduced the arrears with a penalty but as half time approached a turnover ball was passed down the backs and Pound found wing forward Stuart Holes as ever in support and he scored to extend the lead to 24-6. The Horden side finished the half strongly and a good break down the middle by the winger brought out a good Tiger tackle and the ball was spilled under the posts.
Tigers had to wait until the fiftieth minute for their next score. A long weaving run by Cox was continued by a good run by Hanekom for Baumburg to break through a gap to score a try he again converted. Tigers were then forced to defend resolutely when a yellow card reduced them to seven forwards but they still managed a converted try while down to fourteen players. Centre John Storey received a pass 30 metres out and cut inside the defence to score. Ten minutes from time the scoring was completed by Baumburg who showed the ball to the Horden midfield and then raced in for his second try. The conversion made the final score 45-6 to Tigers.
This was the third good performance in a row and was achieved without both first choice second-row forwards. Only Tigers, Middlesbrough and Crossleyans remain undefeated and something will have to give next Saturday when Tigers travel to Middlesbrough.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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16/09/06 - Tigers 1st XV Top Table for Early Lead in North 2 East
Hartlepool Rovers 5 - Sheffield Tigers 48
The match was played on a good surface with a sea fret hanging over the ground.
Unlike the previous week Tigers got off to an excellent start. After repelling early Hartlepool pressure their first possession was kicked long and the line-out ball enabled stand off Chuck Baumburg to break through the defence for scrum-half Neil Pearson to score under the posts from 15 metres. Soon after number eight Edu Hanokem crossed the line after a flowing Tiger’s attack only to lose the ball but after sixteen minutes Tigers struck again. Baumburg ran at the defence and fed centre John Storey on the burst. When he was stopped just short of the line Pearson picked up to score his second try and Baumburg converted for 12-0. Six minutes later a repeat of the move by Baumburg and Storey saw wing forward Morgan Jones score with Baumburg converting. Tigers were well on top at this stage and a break by wing forward Stuart Holes was supported by skipper Harry Toews. Early recycled ball went down the backs for right wing Alan Johnstone to score. Baumburg again converted. At 26-0 the game looked over, but Rovers battled back well in the ten minutes leading up to half-time. Tigers withstood pressure from the Rovers forwards before a free for all saw second-row Ed Knaggs and the Rovers winger sin binned. Rovers took advantage to score when a grubber kick by their scrum-half was touched down by the same player to make the half-time score 26-5.
Tigers opened the second half with their fifth try. Baumburg fed centre Paul Hirst who was supported by Holes. Rovers were penalised and a quick tap allowed prop Tom Ryder to score. Baumburg then stretched Tigers’ lead to thirty one points when he landed a penalty when the Rovers backs were caught offside. The Tigers scrum was now dominant and the Rovers front row under severe pressure. From a scrum near the posts the ball was moved right and full-back Beattie joined the line, made an excellent pick up and fed Johnstone, who finished in the corner. The last quarter was disappointing with the game won but a scrum against the head three minutes from no side allowed Hanekom to score. His initial pick up was stopped, but Holes supported and Hanekom was on hand to touch down. Baumburg kicked his fifth conversion to complete a polished all round performance from him and make the final score 48-5.
This was a second good win for Tigers that sees them head the league at this early stage of the season. The team played well and showed the ability to score in all positions.
Next week will be an interesting game at home to Horden who today defeated local rivals Sheffield Club. Then in two weeks time will come the stiffest test to date of Tiger’s promotion ambitions with an away trip to second placed Middlesbrough.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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09/09/06 - Tigers 1st XV Start Season with Scintillating Win in First Ever North 2 East League Match
Sheffield Tigers 51 - Durham City 19
The new season started on a glorious late summer afternoon at Dore Moor with an excellent match.
An early Durham attack saw their right winger win a race to the corner following a chip through to give the visitors a 5-0 lead after only three minutes. Five minutes later the lead was extended to eight points when Tigers were penalised for crossing. Tigers were slowly getting into the game and making less mistakes. After twenty minutes the ball was passed down the backs and a drive wide out by number eight Edu Hanekom saw the ball recycled inside for centre John Storey to crash over. Stand off Chuck Baumburg converted. Almost immediately further good passing allowed winger Tim Bowman to feed the ball inside to Hanekom on the burst and he ran in from thirty metres with Baumburg again converting. However, careless play in the tackle area allowed Durham to cut the deficit to 14-11 with a penalty. Tigers were now starting to dominate the line-out and make life difficult for the Durham scrummage. Durham were caught off-side and Baumburg added the three points from fifty metres. Second row Eddie Gauche was regularly stealing line-out ball to keep Durham on the defensive and his possession led to the best move of the half and a further Tigers’ try after thirty eight minutes. The ball was driven down the short side to the Durham twenty-two and then quickly spun open. A miss pass was taken by full-back Craig Beattie entering the line at pace and he sprinted through the Durham defence for an excellently worked try. The half ended with Tigers conceding yet another penalty and giving the Durham full-back the chance to make the score 22-14 at half time.
Tigers opened the second half with an early try when from a line-out a further drive allowed Gauche to burst through to score a try he thoroughly deserved. Tigers’ players were now starting to show their skills. Wing forward Stuart Holes made an excellent tackle and won the ball. Baumburg made a very good pick up and Storey was keeping the game in the Durham half with long distance kicks. The Durham line was crossed after strong forward pressure but the ball was not grounded. Wing forward Morgan Jones then scored two classic tries in the space of five minutes. He first burst through the Durham midfield from thirty metres with an excellent hand-off to score under the posts, Baumburg converting. Then, again entering the Tigers’ line at pace he broke tackles to score with Baumburg adding the extra points. The game was now effectively over with the score at 41-14. Tigers mid-field backs were playing expansive rugby with the good ball won by the pack. Storey went through a gap with ten minutes left to score from forty metres and with five minutes left the best move of the half saw centre Rob Pound score an unconverted try. Prop forward John Ashley fielded a kick ahead by the Durham winger and ran through the same player before the ball was passed left down the three quarter line. Beattie linked from full-back with Pound, who stepped inside defenders to finish from twenty metres. To their credit Durham kept working to the end and scored a consolation try after good recycling caught Tigers short of defenders wide out.
If the team can give away less penalties and maintain their dominance in the last ten minutes of matches they look set for a good position in the league. To score eight tries and play such high quality rugby in the first league game augers well for the season. However, the first real test will come next Saturday with the away trip to Hartlepool Rovers.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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02/09/06 - Tigers 1st XV Lose to Late Score in Friendly Against Midlands 1 Side Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe 31 - Sheffield Tigers 29
Tigers kicked off with a strong wind at their backs. Early pressure saw centre Jonno Storey cross the Scunthorpe line but he was unable to ground the ball. Soon after a passing move down the Scunthorpe backs from good line-out ball saw the left winger run in unopposed to open the scoring with an unconverted try. Tigers then had a try disallowed for an adjudged forward pass before levelling the scores after 25 minutes. Ed Knaggs took good line-out ball following a penalty kick to the corner and the pack drove hooker Willem Muller over the try line. Five minutes later the Scunthorpe winger was robbed of the ball and it was quickly passed down the Tigers backs. Clever play by centre Rob Pound saw him dummy a pass inside, pivot and score in the corner. Almost immediately the pack turned over Scunthorpe ball and Neil Pearson put a long, low kick into the Scunthorpe twenty-two. A poor clearance kick was gathered on the line by hooker Muller for his second try and Charles Baumberg converted to increase Tigers lead to 17-5. The half ended with Tigers pressing strongly and after another half dummy by Pound a clever pass saw number eight Edu Hanekom charge over from 20 metres to make the half-time score 22-5.
Scunthorpe now had the advantage of the wind and Tigers were forced to drive the ball upfield through their forwards. Unfortunately a loose kick went straight to the Scunthorpe left winger who ran 40 metres before linking with a forward who scored under the posts for a converted try. After 65 minutes Tigers were reduced to seven forwards following a yellow card for off-side. Scunthorpe took full advantage by driving over for another converted try to cut Tigers lead to just three points. An excellent tackle was needed from full back Beattie to prevent Scunthorpe from taking the lead before Tigers had a certain try illegally prevented by the Scunthorpe number eight who tackled a player without the ball. He was yellow carded but a penalty try not awarded. Sadly, the penalty kick to the corner was wasted as the ball went touch in goal. With only a few minutes left Scunthorpe regained the lead when their right winger scored a good try but one which should have been prevented. With full-time approaching and Tigers now two points adrift a penalty kick at goal was declined and from the kick to the corner, a catch and drive saw second-row Eduard Gauche score and Baumberg convert to give Tigers a 29-24 lead. However, the Scunthorpe pack refused to give up and a strong driving maul in injury time saw them score a converted try to snatch a last gasp victory.
Report By: Nigel Dakin
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