SHEFFIELD EAGLES coach Craig Lingard accepts his side, who will finish at least seventh, have to play at their highest standard for longer if they are to make a mark in the top-ten play-offs.
The Eagles recorded a 15th win from 22 league games by edging out Hunslet 28-26, a sixth victory in their seven matches so far at the MEPS International Home of Football Stadium, the Dronfield home of partner non-league football club Sheffield FC to where they moved in May.
While the Eagles’ results in Derbyshire are encouraging, their record against sides who were above them in the standings – in descending order London Broncos, Newcastle (not on their regular-season schedule), Oldham, Doncaster, Widnes and Barrow – is less so.
Going into their game at Doncaster on Sunday, their only triumph in the eight meetings with teams from that group was 22-6 at home (then the Steel City Stadium) to Barrow in February.
“We’re not helping ourselves by going away from the plan too often,” noted Lingard, in his second season in charge.
“Against Hunslet, we started the way we had spoken about starting, focusing on field position and possession, completing high and putting them where we wanted them to be, and that allowed us to get a lead.
“But then we went away from that, ended up defending too close to our line, and they took advantage (for a 16-12 half-time lead).
“The second half followed a similar pattern where we started well and got 28-16 in front before they came back into it.
“A win is a win, and it was pleasing that we ground it out, but to beat the sides above us, we need to learn how to manage matches better and consolidate a lead.”