Error-strewn Tykes suffer derby defeat
An error-strewn display from Leeds Tykes, featuring too many handling errors and penalties, cost them dearly in a Yorkshire derby as Sheffield RUFC claimed victory.
The hosts made the brighter start and opened the scoring when Cuchulain Livingstone finished a quick move along the backline to put Sheffield 5-0 ahead. Leeds responded through George Worthington. The winger received the ball around 40 metres out and cut through the Sheffield defence with a powerful run to level the scores at 5-5.
Sheffield regained the lead midway through the first half. Zak Poole forced his way through the Leeds defence and, after a neat offload, created the opportunity for Will Archer to cross, with Callum Posa converting to give his side a 12-5 advantage at half-time.
Leeds continued to struggle for fluency after the restart, with further mishaps and some aimless kicking handing Sheffield opportunities to maintain their grip on the game. Sustained pressure inside the Leeds 22 eventually produced Sheffield’s third try, with Chris Hooper finishing behind the posts after good work from centre Will Smith. The conversion stretched the lead to 19-5.
The Tykes upped their tempo and finally found a way through late in the match when Jack Hamilton forced his way over following pressure close to the Sheffield line. Seremaia Bai Turagabeci added the conversion to reduce the deficit to seven points and secure Leeds a losing bonus point. Sheffield saw out the remaining minutes to claim their first win of the campaign, while the Tykes took a point from a match in which they were unable to turn their late pressure into a comeback.
Speaking after the match, Director of Rugby Pete Seabourne said: “That was not good enough from start to finish. We made a lot of errors. Discipline-wise, too many penalties kept Sheffield in the game. I thought they played well, throwing the ball about, putting us under pressure. They defended really well. Overall, really disappointed. We’re better than that, and we need to learn quickly how to work with and without the ball. Frustrating day at the office.”
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