Sheffield Tigers crash despite great Packard try

Henri Packard: great try. Photo: Ian Anderson

Sheffield Tigers lost out to Preston Grasshoppers 32-21 in National Two North on Saturday with both sides making a number of mistakes in a slow-paced game.

Tigers took the lead with stand-off Angus Bowyer slotting over a penalty before Grasshoppers replied with a penalty of their own.

Tigers would take a 14-3 lead with Bowyer hitting two more penalties and Henri Packard scoring a great try.

But Preston scored a try and conversion just before the end of the first half to carry a 16-14 lead into the second half.

Grasshoppers built up their lead to 32-14 and a penalty try for Tigers at the death was too little, too late.

Dinnington gave higher placed Bradford and Bingley a fright but had to settle for a losing bonus point as the visitors won 17-10 in their North One East clash at Lodge Lane.

After turning round 7-0 down, below-strength Dinnington fought their way into a 10-7 lead with a penalty goal from stand-off Jonny West and a try by their new Kiwi full-back Justin Wilson, converted by West.

But the Bees equalised with a drop goal and then added another converted try.

Wath on Dearne, after their heavy defeat at Yorkshire Two leaders Moortown, bounced back when they ran in six converted tries in a 45-18 home victory over Old Crossleyans.

After slipping 10-0 behind, Wath hit back with tries by wingers Ben Cairns and Anthony Barratt, centres Andy Hopkin and Steve Mason and back row pair Ashley Rothery and Joe Earp.

Jack Whitlam was on target with all the conversions and also landed a penalty goal.

Also in Yorkshire Two, Barnsley were edged out 20-17 at Thornensians despite scoring three tries to the hosts’ two.

Stocksbridge scored three tries as they beat Goole 20-17 in Yorkshire Three on Saturday.

Their tries came through second row Sam Whittaker, back Pete Newton and centre Dave Potts with Simon Bowskill converting one and scoring a penalty to wrap up the win. It was their second win of the campaign.

Tom Coy scored a try to earn Rotherham Phoenix a share of the spoils in their 5-5 draw at home to Burley in Yorkshire Four.

Burley had taken the lead in the first half but the number seven’s try on the hour mark was enough to draw the tight match.

* Sheffield RUFC were without a game and are scheduled to entertain Towsestrians at 2.15 next Saturday.

* See our Rugby Union column in Grass Roots on Friday.