Halifax 60 Sheffield Eagles 22: Fourth defeat on trot

Sheffield Eagles wretched run of form continued after they were thumped 60-22 by Halifax at The Shay.
Eagles' ill-luck was summed up when Menzie Yere sprinted forward only to drop the ball when diving over the line. Picture: Andrew RoeEagles' ill-luck was summed up when Menzie Yere sprinted forward only to drop the ball when diving over the line. Picture: Andrew Roe
Eagles' ill-luck was summed up when Menzie Yere sprinted forward only to drop the ball when diving over the line. Picture: Andrew Roe

Mark Aston’s side were second best in all departments after a disastrous display which saw the hosts run in 10 tries, leaving a beleaguered Eagles to mull over a fourth consecutive league defeat.

There appears to be little light at the end of the tunnel for Aston’s strugglers who got off to the worse possible start. Adam Tangata sliced through the Eagles’ line to score a simple try after two minutes, with Steve Tyrer adding the extras.

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The Eagles fought back when Tyrer spilled the ball for Fax, allowing Ben Blackmore to pick up possession before sprinting 90 metres to score. Aston missed the conversion.

The visitors failed to capitalise on their foothold as Halifax took control of the game. Tries from Gareth Moore and Matt Sarsfield put the hosts in the driving seat, with Tyrer converting both scores.

Aston’s side came agonisingly close to reducing the deficit when Menzie Yere knocked on when reaching for the line.

The hosts went further clear before the break with Ben Heaton’s break made the yards to put the Eagles on the back foot. Eventually it was Moore again who went over after showing a slick dummy. Tyrer converted.

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The game was effectively sealed a minute into the second half. Will Sharp was the benefactor after Scott Murrell’s kick to the corner, and Tyrer kicked the extras.

Halifax were now running riot as Sarsfield danced his way over the line for his second try, and two minutes later he completed his hat-trick after a pass inside by Saltonstall. Tyrer converted both tries.

The Eagles afternoon was summed up when Yere sprinted clear only to drop the ball when diving over the line.

Aston’s side did muster some form of comeback when firstly Matt James barged his way across the line to score, with Aston converting.

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Then the recalled Ryan Millar showed blistering pace to hurtle clear down the left for a terrific individual score, and Aston duly added the two.

That was as good as it got for the Eagles with Miles Greenwood going over for Fax.

It was too much for Scott Wheeldon who was sin-binned for dissent, as the Eagles pressed the self destruct button.

Moore completed a hat-trick, and Jacob Fairbank added further gloss as Halifax notched up their tenth try, all converted by Tyrer.

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It was the Eagles who had the final say with Blackmore bagging his second try, with Aston converting.

Halifax: Greenwood, Sharp, Tyrer, Heaton, Saltonstall; Moore, Murrell; Cahalane, Kaye, Tangata: Manning, Sarsfield; Fairbank. Interchange: Johsnton, Ambler, Moore, Boyle.

Scorers: Tries: Tangata (2), G. Moore (15, 37, 66), Sarsfield (26, 48, 50), Sharp (42), Greenwood (62), Fairbank (72) Goals: Tyrer 10/10

Eagles: Laulu-Togagae, Worrincy, Yere, Blackmore, Millar; Aston, Jacks; Wheeldon, Carlile, Neal; Knowles, Tyson; James. Interchange: Mexico, Minchella, Blagbrough, Hewitt.

Scorers: Tries: Blackmore (11, 75), James (55), Millar (58) Goals: Aston 3/4

Referee: Scott Mikalauskas

Attendance: 1,680