SHEFFIELD EAGLES 38 WORKINGTON TOWN 12
DAN FOWLER, MEPS International Home of Football Stadium, Sunday
GEORGE GRIFFIN was the hat-trick hero for Sheffield as a late purple patch made it a comfortable victory.
The loose-forward has been one of the more consistent performers for Craig Lingard’s side this year and his all-round performance was a class above the rest throughout.
Workington were well and truly in the contest at 22-12 down with 14 minutes to go, but couldn’t quite threaten any further.
If Town were going to get anything from this game, they were going to need big performances from their star men.
Jamie Doran set his stall out early by breaking the deadlock inside nine minutes. After winning consecutive drop-outs, the visitors made their pressure count as Doran crept over from close range with a number of defenders nearby. Jake Carter converted.
Sheffield responded soon after as Griffin got his first with a typical forward’s try, up the guts of the opposition defence and having enough power to touch down. Kai Morgan goaled.
The hosts went in front for what would be a half-time lead on 27 minutes, Alex Foster twisting his way to four points following a sharp pass from Reiss Butterworth. Morgan was again on target from the tee for 12-6.
Workington must have been relatively happy to be within a score of their opponents at the break and knew they needed to keep in the arm wrestle for as long as possible.
Unfortunately for Jonty Gorley’s side, a mix-up after the restart put immediate pressure on their rearguard. Sheffield capitalised as Morgan spotted a gap in the defence and scooted over. He improved his own score.
With the hour-mark approaching, Sheffield extended their lead further as Griffin got his brace. Another sharp dummy-half pass left him up against a lone defender and the former Super League man eased over to make it 22-6.
Workington reduced the deficit in the final quarter as a short-range effort from hooker Callum Phillips and Carter’s additional two made the hardy travelling fans believe their side could get something from the contest.
Sheffield turned on the style in the closing moments though, with three tries in the last six minutes.
A booming Jordan Abdull pass helped Kieran Gill to cross, then Morgan turned defence into attack in an instant as he intercepted a pass to go 90 metres to touch down, then kick the conversion.
He also goaled the final try as Griffin made the most of a tiring defence to seal his hat-trick.
It was a tough scoreline for Workington as they gave it a great go, but Sheffield’s ability to notch tries in quick succession was certainly on show.
GAMESTAR: Sheffield loose-forward George Griffin notched a hat-trick of tries, but his all-round performance was just as impressive.
GAMEBREAKER: Eagles centre Kieran Gill’s try with six minutes to go.
MATCHFACTS
EAGLES
28 Greg Eden
2 Joe Brown
19 Will Oakes
4 Kieran Gill
5 Billy Walkley
6 Kai Morgan
27 Jordan Abdull
8 Conor Fitzsimmons
17 Harry Bowes
10 Martyn Reilly
11 Connor Bower
23 Alex Foster
15 George Griffin
Subs (all used)
3 Josh Hodson
13 Jack Bussey
14 Reiss Butterworth
20 Lewis Peachey
Tries: Griffin (6, 58, 80), Foster (27), Morgan (42, 79), Gill (74)
Goals: Morgan 5/7
TOWN
1 Zarrin Galea
4 Braden Leigh
21 Evan Lawther
3 Rio Corkill
22 Tanna Featherstone
6 Jake Carter
7 Dom Wear
8 Ross Ainley
9 Jamie Doran
15 Callum Farrer
11 Mason Lewthwaite
13 Jack Stephenson
10 Stevie Scholey
Subs (all used)
14 Callum Phillips
17 Lucas Castle
25 Bear Williams
26 Tuarae Rawhiti
Tries: Doran (6), Phillips (66)
Goals: Carter 2/2
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6, 12-6; 18-6, 22-6, 22-12, 26-12, 32-12, 38-12
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Eagles: George Griffin; Town: Jamie Doran
Penalty count: 5-5
Half-time: 12-6
Referee: Kevin Moore
Attendance: 535