Tynedale RFC 47 - 11 Sheffield RUFC

Tynedale RFC 47 - 11 Sheffield RUFC

Team Selection for Saturday, 4th November 2017

15. Ben Shore
14. Rupert Broadley
13. Francis Robson
12. Jamie Pearson
11. Lewis Bowman
10. Fergus Wood
9. Steve Depledge

1. Tommy Marples
2. Sam Graham
3. Dan Rylance
4. Dom Parsons (Capt)
5. Dave Clayden
6. Connor Mitchell
7. Sean Casey
8. Gareth Burns

Replacements
22. Ben Whitney (FR)
24. Dale Hobson (FR)
20. Angus Hughes (FR)
19. Will Fairclough
18. Matt Law

Sheffield made the long journey to Corbridge and Tynedale RFC on Hadrian's Wall with the continued and long absence of Tom Womack, Jonny France and Ryan Seabright, and the more recent loss of Andy Hodgson and Gareth Morley, and further additional loss of prop forward Joe Cooke and hooker Ianto Jones, injured in the win over Blaydon.

In bright sunshine Sheffield made an unfortunately unfortunate start, which has become all too familiar, with Tynedale scoring a try in just two minutes, wide out on the right, through centre Will Miller. However, the conversion was missed by Ashley Smith and the lead was a mere 5 points to nil. Sheffield soon got themselves back on track with a number of attacks, putting the Tynedale defence on the back foot, but a score would just not come and the frustration led to a number of unforced errors, leaving Sheffield with no reward for their efforts. Eventually however, a few cracks appeared in the Tynedale defence and penalties came Sheffield's way, two of which scrum half Steve Depledge converted on 11 and 14 minutes, to put Sheffield into a one point lead at 5 points to 6.

The two penalties seemed to invigorate the home team who came back strongly and just 4 minutes later they were able to score their 2nd try when Sheffield completely fell off their tackles and left Tynedale a virtual walk-in through wing three-quarter, James Spencer. Ashley Smith converted the try and Tynedale now led by 12 points to 6. The match remained very competitive with both sides defending well. With the match now in the last 10 minutes of the half Tynedale were on the attack in the Sheffield 22 and close to the Sheffield 5 metre line. However, as the ball went to their left wing they over played their hand and Sheffield's right wing, Rupert Broadley intercepted and went the length to score wide out on the right, but with the extremely quick Rob Parker in hot pursuit, but to no avail. Steve Depledge missed with the conversion attempt, but Tynedale's lead had been reduced to 1 point at 12 points to 11 with 33 minutes gone. The half played out without further score to either side.

The second half however, saw Sheffield remain in the changing room, metaphorically speaking that is. Tynedale scored three very quick tries on 45, 47 and 49 minutes through left wing Oli Walker, full back Rob parker and centre Ashley Smith, all converted by Ashley Smith to take the score out to 33 points to 11. Sheffield continued to battle, but the horse had somewhat bolted and despite their effort Sheffield could not break the Tynedale defence down, Sheffield were awarded a penalty on their own 22 metre and kicked to touch to secure a line out inside Tynedale's half. Unfortunately, the line throw went long missing everyone. Tynedale secured the ball and went of quickly leaving Sheffield all at sea and less than a minute later had scored their sixth try through flank forward Ben Bell, and with Ashley Smith converting again, Tynedale led by 40 points to 11 after 6 1 minutes. Again Sheffield battled hard, but with no reward and with time running out were under pressure in their own half. A turn over in contact gave the ball to Tynedale 25 metres out and Tynedale's prop forward Richard Elliot could not only see the try line, he could smell it, crashing over for try number 7. Ashley Smith knocked over the conversion and the referee headed for the bar with us all in his wake.