New boys shine as Sheffield make final

After relegation from Yorkshire One last term, Sheffield have signed several new faces in their bid to bounce straight back, and they looked a slick operation during the early games before being beaten by Syston in the final of Saturday's competition in Leicestershire.

"I was really pleased with the way we played," said director of rugby Adriaan Posthuma.

"The new boys looked very good and gelled well with the ones from last year."

Fly-half Anthony Carpenter has signed from Scunthorpe, while Dutch Under-19 winger Tom Obon and full-back Tom Roberts have also joined.

Jonny and Chris Cox have re-joined Sheffield after playing for city rivals Sheffield Tigers last season.

"We've got some good young players," added Posthuma.

"But our biggest problem is that none of them are forwards, so we're a bit short of front row players."

After an inter-club match on Thursday evening the players have a weekend off before entertaining Northampton Old Scouts on September 1 at Warminster Road.

Relegated

to Yorkshire Division Three for the new season, Barnsley gained a morale boosting 27-14 victory in their pre-season friendly against Yorkshire Two rivals Leodiensians at Leeds.

Barnsley led all the way with a four-try effort, turning round 17-7 ahead.

Scorers included newcomers Matthew Mann, a flanker who has joined from Chester, and former Wath inside centre Matthew Burrows.

Nick Ruddlesdin and Andrew Appleyard ran in the visitors' other tries, with Patrick Jenson converting two and Chris Peel adding a penalty goal.

Barnsley start their Yorkshire Three league campaign with a match against Thornensians at Thorne on September 8.

Sheffield

Tigers begin their pre-season with a trip to Beverley this Saturday, while Dinnington play Sandal.