SHEFFIELD EAGLES 18 WHITEHAVEN 6
DAN FOWLER, Steel City Stadium, Saturday

SHEFFIELD scraped past a gritty Whitehaven side for the second time in as many weeks, with this victory earning them a home tie against Super League’s Warrington.

Craig Lingard’s side were certainly made to work for this win and whilst it wasn’t vintage from the hosts, they’ll certainly take the payday that is to come from the visit of the Wolves.

Whitehaven had the best of the first half and would have gone into the break in front but for an exceptional Joe Brown score on the hooter.

Sheffield turned to their forwards to get them over the line in the second period thanks to tries from captain Joel Farrell, on career appearance 250, and Conor Fitzsimmons.

Neither side hit the ground running from kick-off but after holding up Farrell and Connor Bower in the early going, Whitehaven’s confidence increased and that showed in their attack. 

Both Ben Pearce and Ellis Nixon went exceptionally close to breaking the deadlock but both came up with handling errors with the try-line begging. 

The visitors’ persistence in knocking on the door did pay off in the end, though. Directly from a scrum, fullback Cole Walker-Taylor provided the finishing touch to give the Cumbrians a deserved lead. Ciaran Walker added the extras.

Every attack that Sheffield put together was being snuffed out by some resolute Haven defending but that only lasted until the final minute. Shifting the ball to the right flank, Brown had room to roam and he bypassed a number of defenders en route to the whitewash. Jordan Lilley’s conversion made it 6-6 at the break.

Whitehaven will have been sensing signs of weakness in the opening stages of the second half, aided by a knock-on from experienced Eagles forward George Griffin on tackle one. After winning a goal-line dropout to sustain pressure deep in Sheffield territory, the visitors threatened to regain their lead but Mitchell Todd’s effort was ruled out for a foot in touch.

Despite being on the back foot just moments before, Sheffield took the lead for the first time on 47 minutes. In times of trouble, turn to the captain and that’s what they did here – Jamaican international Farrell spinning his way over from close range. Lilley converted.

The game was certainly on a knife-edge heading into the final quarter, similarly to a week ago at the Ortus REC, and Sheffield would also find a way to win here. 

Some much-needed breathing room was given to the hosts as Fitzsimmons, against his fellow Cumbrians, burrowed his way into a hole and managed to come up trumps. Lilley’s conversion put twelve points between the sides and Whitehaven couldn’t find a way to cut into that deficit. 

The game did end on a sour note for Sheffield, and in particular Lilley who was shown a yellow card for a dangerous and late tackle on Joe Lowe. It was the only real blot on the copybook for the halfback, who had controlled proceedings in the final quarter.

GAMESTAR: Joel Farrell provided a real captain’s knock, complemented by a crucial try.

GAMEBREAKER: Conor Fitzimmons’ try 14 minutes from time certainly eased any Eagles nerves.

MATCHFACTS

EAGLES
1 Matty Marsh
2 Joe Brown
4 Kieran Gill
3 Josh Hodson
5 Billy Walkley
6 Kai Morgan
7 Jordan Lilley
22 Masi Matongo
17 Harry Bowes
10 Martyn Reilly
11 Connor Bower
12 Joel Farrell
13 Jack Bussey
Subs (all used)
8 Conor Fitzsimmons
9 Corey Johnson
15 George Griffin
20 Lewis Peachey

Tries: Brown (40), Farrell (47), Fitzsimmons (66)
Goals: Lilley 3/3
Sin bin: Lilley (79) – late tackle

WHITEHAVEN
18 Cole Walker-Taylor
19 Dave Eccleston
1 Jordan Burns
4 Ethan Bickerdike
2 Mitchell Todd
21 Joe Lowe
6 Ciaran Walker
8 Jake Pearce
9 Ellison Holgate
22 Brett Bailey
23 Ben Pearce
15 Ellis Nixon
13 Jack Kellett
Subs (all used)
14 Josh Blinkhorn
16 Brad Brennan
20 Marc Shackley
24 Lewis Brown

Tries: Walker-Taylor (26)
Goals: Walker 1/1

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-6, 6-6; 12-6, 18-6

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Eagles: Joel Farrell; Whitehaven: Brett Bailey

Penalty count: 5-6
Half-time: 6-6
Referee: Tara Jones
Attendance: 427

Pic: Jake Borrill