Sheffield Eagles: Mark Aston takes heart from last Toronto clash as he plots an upset

The Eagles welcome the league leaders to the Olympic Legacy Park looking to build on last Sunday’s Summer Bash success against Barrow Raiders.

But they face a Toronto outfit who extended their lead at the summit of the Betfred Championship to six points following a convincing victory over second-placed Toulouse at Bloomfield Road.

The Wolfpack, who have lost just once in the league this season, will be firm favourites to complete a league double over the Eagles this evening, but Aston is taking heart from a dogged performance from his side in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, when side pushed the big-spenders hard before falling away at the end.

“They are a strong side, and the table says they are the best team in the competition,” Aston explained to The Star.

“Why wouldn’t they be with the money they have invested into the side? We played them a month ago in London and I thought that we were great for big parts of that one. After 35 minutes they were only 8-4 in front, but they scored a couple of quick tries which they can do.”

Aston suffered a double blow last weekend when James Glover and Matty James both suffered serious injury in the defeat of Barrow.

The Eagles have been boosted by the return of centre Jason Crookes who made Aston’s 19-man squad last weekend, but wasn’t used.

Hooker James Davey is also back in the mix after serving a one-match suspension, whilst Aston will hope he is well supported by dual-registration partners London Broncos ahead of a busy run of fixtures.

“We have to ensure we get the balance right with the players, they’ll have been in the ice baths after the Summer Bash as we try and keep them fresh.

“We’ve trained Wednesday and Thursday, then we play Friday and then we’ll have to be honest, keep turning up for each other because they’ll challenge us all over the field, there is no doubt about it.

“The next month will be tough for us with the injuries, but if I get the same commitment and attitude that I have had in the first half of the campaign, then we’ll be okay.”