Sunday 16th October - Sheffield vs Rotherham

Rotherham arrived with a mixed team comprising U10 and U9 players and after a discussion between the coaches it was decided that both teams would field 12 players.
First Half:
From the start Sheffield's forwards took control rumbling forwards and providing a solid platform from which the backs could run, but with the extra players in the back line space was limited and tries from Tom H (3) and Tom came from short runs off the back of scrums, rucks and mauls. Rotherham defended strongly stopping several other surging runs and with growing confidence and the help of a particularly strong willed front row Rotherham put the Sheffield forwards onto the back foot finally forcing their way over the line for a score just before the half time whistle.
Second Half:
Scrappier start from Sheffield against a fired up Rotherham side, but slow relentless forwards movement and multiphase control took Sheffield right to Rotherham's line. Rotherham defended well finally forcing a turnover and exploiting some lacklustre tackling to drive Sheffield back to their own line. Sheffield held on and managed to retrieve the ball and despite some strong running were unable to make much headway against a solid Rotherham defence. As the half rolled on constant possession of the ball eventually told with Tupps picking up from a scrum to run in a try from 5 yards. Another quick score followed as Rotherham fumbled the ball from the kick off and Tom H quickly gathered to run in an uncontested score. Rotherham controlled the last few minutes of the match forcing Sheffield to defend desperately with the ball being held up over the line twice in quick succession, the final whistle coming as a relief from the constant Rotherham attacks. There was also another Sheffield score in there somewhere, but I missed it, sorry.
Final Score
Sheffield 7 – Rotherham 1
Try Scorers
Tom H (4), Tom R, Tupps and 1 other.

Match 2
A single 10 minute half was arranged.
Good pressure from the start forced Rotherham to touch from their kick off but mistakes in the Sheffield backs allowed Rotherham to retake possession. The ball then moved back and forth between the two packs with turnover after turnover but little advantage being gained from either side. Finally the backs found some space and with some good passing wide and great support play from Mikey D and Joel forced a penalty with quick ball wide to Ethan who piled over to score from 10 yards. Pressure again from Sheffield pushing Rotherham back to their own line where a dropped ball was quickly capitalised on by Joel to dive over for Sheffield's 2nd. Sheffield defended strongly with Rotherham once again using forwards power and some agile running to make ground, but a lost ball once again resulted in Sheffield taking control and winning a penalty at the half way line. From the penalty the ball was moved quickly wide to Tom who managed to find a gap in the bloated defensive line and stepped past two tackles before scoring in the corner. A deserved win from Sheffield against a tough defensive side.
Final Score:
Sheffield 3 – Rotherham 0
Try Scorers: Ethan, Joel and Tom