Sheffield 20 - 11 Wheatley Hills

Sheffield RUFC 20 - 11 Wheatley Hills RUFC

Starting Line Up - 14th February 2015

15. Andy Hodgson
14. Rupert Broadley
13. Joe Cribley
12. Ben Parker
11. Gareth Morley
10. Jimmy Pearson (Capt)
9. Josh Bird

1. Tommy Marples
2. Sam Whitworth
3. Dan Rylance
4. Dom Parsons
5. Ben Whitney
6. Dave Bradford
7. Matthew Adcock
8. Jonny France

Replacements
16. Tony Stringwell
17. Dave Clayden
18. Ali Womack

After two games and two narrow wins away from home Sheffield entertained local rivals Wheatley Hills at Abbeydale Park which was postponed from the 31st January due to the weather. Ben Parker moved from the bench to inside centre, Ali Womack dropped to the bench and Gareth Morley returned on the left wing. Ryan Seabright was also unavailable and Dave Clayden came into the squad to cover both second row and back row.

Sheffield were soon under pressure when with barely two minutes gone Sheffield were penalised for not rolling away, but Wheatley Hills and Owen Gilvray were unable to take advantage. However, with 13 minutes gone Wheatley Hills were awarded another penalty for off side, with Gilvray adding the 3 points. However, just 2 minutes later Sheffield were back on even terms when Wheatley Hills were deemed to have been playing the ball in the ruck, Ben Parker adding the 3 points. There was no further score until the 25th minute when Wheatley Hills were awarded another penalty, which Gilvray converted once more and Hills moved out to a 6 point to 3 lead. Things got even worse for Sheffield when Wheatley added a try on 30 minutes, which Gilvray failed to convert, but Wheatley had a comfortable lead at 11 points to 3 which they held on to up to the half time break.

Wheatley Hills had left wing Ryan Richardson just before the break, and with Sheffield starting the second half with more intent, they were rewarded almost immediately when centre Ben Parker Bludgeoned his way over by the posts. Jimmy Pearson added the conversion and Sheffield were back in the game at 10 points to 11. There was no further addition to either teams score and no further opportunity until Wheatley Hills open side flanker Martin Balshaw was yellow carded on 61 minutes, but Jimmy Pearson could not add the points. Four minutes later Sheffield's right wing Rupert Broadley managed to escape the Wheatley defence to score out wide, but again Pearson could not add the additional points, but Sheffield led for the first time in the match at 15 points to 11.

Sheffield had centre Joe Cribley yellow carded almost immediately, but much like Sheffield, Wheatley Hills struggled to take advantage of the man advantage. Sheffield were awarded another penalty on 70 minutes, but again could not convert the points. However, with 75 minutes gone, utility forward Ben Whitney added the 3rd try, but again the conversion went begging the lead was out to 20 points to 11. Sheffield had one last chance to score, right on time, but the drive over from the pack was adjudged to have been held up and the match concluded with Sheffield recording a hard fought win by 20 points to 11.

Scoring:-