1st XV
Matches
Sat 01 Apr 2017  ·  National League 3 Midlands
Bedford Athletic
Tries: T Orton, S Livesey, J Cassell, C Darlow (2), R TaylorConversions: J Mortimer (3)Penalties: J Mortimer
39
46
SHEFFIELD RUFC - 1902
1st XV
Tries: T Womack, S Depledge (2), J Hedley (2), R Broadley, G MorleyConversions: A Hodgson (4)Penalties: A Hodgson
Bedford Athletic RFC  39  -  46  Sheffield RUFC

Bedford Athletic RFC 39 - 46 Sheffield RUFC

Roger Keegan6 Apr 2017 - 13:18
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Sheffield regain their composer after a slow start to take the spoils in a very high action, high scoring encounter.

Bedford Athletic RFC 39 - 46 Sheffield RUFC

Team Selection for Saturday, 1st April 2017

15. Fergus Wood
14. Jack Hedley
13. Rupert Broadley
12. Gareth Morley
11. Owen Smith
10. Andy Hodgson
9. Steve Depledge

1. Ben Whitney
2. Sam Graham
3. Dan Rylance
4. Dom Parsons (Capt)
5. Connor Mitchell
6. Matt Adcock
7. Tom Womack
8. Ryan Seabright

Replacements
16. Sam Whitworth
17. Jonny France
18. Danny Williams

Sheffield continued their campaign whilst still without prop forwards Tommy Marples, Tobi Ademakin and Lewis McKay, together with second row Dave Clayden and back row forward Alex Fawdry.

This was to prove a game, not just of two halves, but one where the defences of both sides were regularly absent without permission. Sheffield were definitely 'not off the bus' as the game began and Bedford took full advantage of Sheffield's sloppiness. A string of mistakes and penalties in the first few minutes left Bedford on the attack, just 5 metres out. A further penalty was taken quickly by Bedford scrum half, Tom Orton and he scooted over in the corner. Bedford fly half, James Mortimer missed the conversion, but Bedford had a 5 point to nil lead after just 5 minutes. Things got no better for Sheffield with another couple of penalties straight from the kick off, giving Bedford both territory and possession. Bedford secured a line out just outside Sheffield's 22 and spun the ball right for right wing Stuart Livesey to score wide out on the right. Again, James Mortimer failed with the conversion, but Bedford led by 10 points to nil after 8 minutes. However, Sheffield rallied briefly and a bullocking run from Tom Womack saw the flanker shrug off a number of Bedford defenders to score 10 metre out to the left. Andy Hodgson, taking the kicks instead of Steve Depledge shanked the conversion attempt, but Sheffield looked to be back in to the match at 10 points to 5 down. At the kick off, Dom Parsons was taken out in the air and Bedford were down to 14 men with a yellow card for the offence. This should have been the signal for Sheffield to take control, but as has occurred previously, they didn't. Sheffield secured a penalty and kicked to touch, but then lost the line out from which Bedford mounted a raid which resulted with their left wing going over in the left corner after leaving the Sheffield defence for dead. James Mortimer missed the third attempt at a conversion, but 14 man Bedford led by 15 points to 5 after 15 minutes.

The situation did not immediately improve for Sheffield, when just 3 minutes later Sheffield defence went walk about once again to allow Bedford's full back Charlie Darlow breezed through to score 15 meters out to the right. James Mortimer found his kicking boots and added the conversion to increased to increase the lead to 22 points to 5 after 18 minutes and things looked very dark, if not black for Sheffield. However, we have been here before, 19 to nil down at Halesonians, 12 points to 3 down at Towcestrians and more, so we all took a deep breath and we all waited for Sheffield to slowly but surely work their way back into the contest. Low and behold, with three quarters of the half gone Sheffield found their feet when from a line out on half way they broke through the Bedford defence with Gareth Morley making huge inroads before passing on to Steve Depledge to touch down to the right of the posts. Andy Hodgson missed a second conversion, but Sheffield were back in to the mix at 22 points to 10 down after 31 minutes. Sheffield were now getting to grips with the opposition and beginning to dominate the proceeding, but had to wait until just before half time to add to their tally. Sheffield were awarded a penalty just outside the Bedford 22, Fergus wood found touch for s line out and after securing possession, left wing, Jack Hedley showed great determination and strength to get over in the corner. Once again the conversion went adrift, but Sheffield were right back in contention with the score at half time, 22 points to 15.

Sheffield came out for the second half of the match and started to make an immediate impact, dominating territory and possession and scored on 46 minutes when Steve Depledge scored his second try and when Andy Hodgson added the conversion the scores were level at 22 points all and both sides had a try bonus point. Five minutes later it looked like Sheffield would push on to ensure the win when Fergus Wood carved his way through the Bedford defence before handing on to Rupert Broadley to score the fifth Sheffield try. Andy Hodgson added the conversion and Sheffield led in the match for the first time at 29 points to 22. However, Bedford had other ideas and when they broke through the Sheffield defence six minutes later, Sheffield were adjudged to have erred and Bedford were awarded a penalty. James Mortimer converted and the lead was reduced to 29 points to 25 after 57 minutes.

However, Sheffield were back on track just 3 minutes later as Gareth Morley ran through the Bedford defence to score under the posts. Andy Hodgson added the conversion again and Sheffield's lead was out to 36 points to 25. However, Bedford were soon back on track themselves when replacement Ryan Taylor scored peeling off the back of a line out with a rolling maul. James Mortimer added the conversion and Sheffield's lead was reduced again to 36 points to 32 after 64 minutes. Sheffield had to wait a further six minutes before they could extend the lead again. Jack Hedley caught a Bedford kick and set off on a return run, which nearly took him over the line. However, he was pulled down short, a ruck was created and Hedley came free to pick up and score his second try in the corner. Andy Hodgson added the conversion and the lead was out to 43 points to 32 after 71 minutes. Bedford responded immediately with full back Charlie Darlow finding a large hole in the Sheffield defence to score pretty well under the posts. Once again James Mortimer added the conversion and the lead was once more reduced to four points at 43 points to 39. Bedford were now as charged up as they were at the beginning and they managed to apply a considerable amount of pressure on the Sheffield defence. The last word was to be Sheffield's. With time running out and with Bedford having a five metre scrum, given when it should have been a 22 drop out, the referee decided to award Sheffield a free kick. Fergus Wood's kick failed to go into touch, but he Sheffield chase was exceptionally good and Bedford's attack was snubbed out with Sheffield being awarded a penalty. Andy Hodgson took the kick on and converted to increase the lead again to seven points at 46 points to 39 for the referee to call time on the proceedings.

Match details

Match date

Sat 01 Apr 2017

Kickoff

15:00

Meet time

10:45

Instructions

Meet 10:45 for 11:00 am leave

Competition

National League 3 Midlands

League position

2
Sheffield
13
Bedford Athletic
Team overview
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Sponsor - Bowring Transport Ltd
Key Sponsor - Cafeology
Key Sponsor - Charles Day Steels
sponsor - Jaguar Estates
Key Sponsor  - Henry Boot
Club Sponsor - Eadon Lockwood & Riddle
Club Sponsor - CFC Financial Services
Main club sponsor - Wilson Field