Lions and Tigers and Bears.......Oh my!!!

With the Wednesday snow a regular feature over January, Abbeydale was off limits for a second week meaning a change of venue to the Sheffield Hallam facility. Neutral ground was probably the best place for this showdown. The Galacticos and indeed Sheffield RUFC has lost many players to our neighbours up the road, some for the glory of the vague possibility of playing in a higher league, some just to hold the beautiful Unicorn they were promised. Either way there were many familiar faces on show, the last attempt at this friendly was called short due to a neck injury, a game Sheffield were winning 22-0.
From the off intensity was high, not a chance either team would want to yield ground in a high stakes game, the first scrum went to tigers who showed real power in retaining and stealing ball. Understanding the challenge ahead the Sheffield 8 worked hard to use a holding action long enough to move the ball from 8. The Tigers pack, far too keen to drive the scrum, were left exposed to the Sheffield back row and backs to run against their weaker elements, it took 10mins to break the deadlock, a try by Adcock and conversion by Holland put Sheffield on the right road. With the strategy in place Sheffield defended and controlled the ball well, as did Tigers, each playing to their strength. On 25mins the lead extended with a great effort from Bearman, Holland missed the conversion. It was only a 5min wait for another try by McHale and the successful conversion, halftime and a 19-0 lead to Sheffield.
The second half was a different beast, throughout the first half many of the Tigers first team had, due to a fixture cancellation, arrived to watch their teammates. Many of these now appeared to be wearing kits and on the pitch, which was odd! Any who, the nature of the game changed, Tigers pushing hard and Sheffield pushing back was the precursor to a mad 5mins. Firstly Tigers lost number 5 to the bin due to persistent foul play; this was followed by a fantastic catch and drive from the Sheffield pack, Danish touching down. Holland missed the conversion. Shortly after the restart CTVS was sent to the bin following a misunderstanding around a penalty. Barely a breath taken following the front row substitution and a disagreement broke out, Sheffield seeing yellow and Tigers red. 5mins after the madness began Thomas Metcalf ended it with a great run, triggered by a great effort from Bearman. The game settled and Dan Williams (leader of the South side Latinos) made a break and was disallowed a try following a last ditch tackle from the Tigers winger and the Ref deciding he had been pushed to touch rather than actually grounding the ball.The last try and conversion came around 75mins after a great poach from T.K. Final score 36-0 Sheffield.

This was also the last game of long serving Galactico Ben Campbell, who after much thought has decided to move to L.A to launch his rap career, and will now be known as Campbell Bee!
He was sent off in great style Saturday night and his input will be missed. One of his raps is available if you follow the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6L-7Te4uW4