Sheffield Tigers vs Harrogate

Harrogate had first use of the slope but the Tigers’ first foray into the Harrogate 22 led to a penalty after 5 minutes, 3 - 0, which fly half Ireland converted in his first game after recovering from an injury sustained at Harrogate earlier in the season.

Tigers were then under pressure in their own 22 with Harrogate’s Coser brothers constantly testing the home defence with some powerful carries. With 15 minutes gone Tigers were penalised for holding the ball in the tackle and Harrogate fly half, Sam Fox, kicked the equalising penalty, 3 – 3. Both teams had difficulty complying with the tackle law, holding onto the ball, and the next penalty was awarded to Tigers which Ireland again converted 6 – 3. The next penalty was for the same offence and this time it was Harrogate’s Fox who equalised the scores 6 – 6.

With one minute of the half remaining Harrogate 2nd row, Sam Brady was yellow carded for the latest interpretation of the high tackle law.

Tigers had the advantage of the slope in the 2nd half and with Harrogate down to 14 men Ireland’s kicking put them into the Harrogate 22. From a lineout they set up a driving maul to put prop Ed Simmons over for their only try of the game, 11 – 6.
With Harrogate’s centres Naylor and Minikin making ground supported by wings Barnard and Rosillo they put Fox within range for his next penalty kick, 11 – 9.

Ireland’s next kick took Tigers into the Harrogate half to set up his third penalty moving the score to 14 – 9.
Harrogate were now energised as the game moved into the final quarter. Replacement No.8, Heaton was finding gaps in the Tiger’s defence to set up Guy Coser for Harrogate’s only try of the match. Fox’s conversion put Harrogate in the lead for the first time, 14 – 16.

Yet another holding in the tackle offence gave Harrogate a 4th penalty for Fox and the final score of the game 14 – 19. This win lifts Harrogate out of the relegation zone but leaves Tigers second from bottom in the league.

Sheffield Tigers: Farrell, Pond, Broadley, Wallace, Keetley, Ireland, Holmes, Simmons, Thornton, Wright, Orton, Symcox, Wragg, Sullivan, Walker. Replacements: Bennet, Coates, Townsend, Smith, Bowyer.

Harrogate: Doherty, Barnard, Naylor, Minikin, Rosillo, Fox, Matthews, Ward, Yorke (Maycock), Dennis, (Purkiss-McEndoo), J.Brady, S.Brady, J.Coser, G.Coser, Harvey (Heaton). Replacements: Hebbelethwaite, Giles.

Referee: Ben Davis.

Report by Brian Forshaw