The report starts with sheff 12-6 up

Uni went into Wednesday's game at the top of the table after a successful start to the
campaign. As a prequel to Varsity, the game against our rivals was set up to be a tight affair
with both sides fighting for bragging rights.

Hallam got us underway with a kick off to Sheffield Half Back Jack Borowski. Set competition
and strong defence from both sides, meant the game got off to a solid start with neither
side being able to break down the other. However, a Uni scrum 30 metres from Hallam’s
line gave Captain Joe Winstanley the opportunity to put Hadyn Young through a gap to gain
the matches opening score under the sticks. A try converted, making the score 6-0 to Uni
after 10 minutes.

Further pressure on Hallam’s line, after a powerful exit set, allowed Uni to spread it wide for
Hadyn Young to go over in the corner for his second of the match. Sheffield’s hard work on
attacking shape was seen throughout the game but definitely highlighted from this effort.
This time the conversion was not successful, leaving the score at 10-0 to Uni after 13
minutes.

A simple error from kick-off cost Uni valuable field position, gifting Hallam the opportunity
to attack our line. A quick short side play gave Hallam their first of the match as they scored
in the corner, with the conversion missed making it 10-4

A poor offload inside our own half gave Hallam the chance to attack our line once more. This
led to another blind side move which this time was soon cut out with clever shift defence.
Further mistakes in exit after a poor pass from dummy half yet again presented Hallam with
the chance to score off a scrum, which this time, they managed to take advantage of on the
5th tackle with a direct run at the line from short range in the 22nd minute.

From the restart both sides completed a set, finding a kick on the last tackle. As the game
levelled out once more and, Hallam lost momentum, Uni began to gain field position and
attack Hallam’s line. An attacking kick on last caused a defensive error from Hallam on their
own line, presenting Uni with a full set close to enemy lines with just 5 minutes left of the
first half. An opportunity not passed up, as Will Liversidge crashed his way over to regain the
lead for Uni on the third tackle, the try converted by Joe Winstanley.
Despite Hallam making a late effort at Uni’s line, half time came around with the score at
16-10 to SURLFC.

Uni set to get us back underway by kicking into the wind, a set which Hallam failed to
complete after an early knock on. Fast hands from Uni’s backs, gave winger Joe Moss the
chance to go for the corner. However, a fantastic cover tackle stopped him from scoring as
he lost possession of the ball. The half continued to be played in the middle areas of the
field until a Hallam kick went out on the full giving Sheffield the ball on the halfway line. This
led to the opportunity for halfback Joe Winstanley to cut inside and break through Hallam’s
defence before giving it inside for John Downes to go over for his fourth of the season.
Another conversion left the score at 22-10 to SURLFC.

Hallam Match Report

A knock on in-goal from the re-start led to a drop out under the sticks for Hallam to receive.
However, alert play led to Uni retrieving the ball from a short drop out collected by Hadyn
Young who gained 30 yards with the ball in hand.

Huge defensive efforts, some especially meaty hits from fresher Elliot Soar, and structured
attack meant Hallam had to play out from their own line. They only managed to get as far as
five yards before an incredible 5-man effort saw the Hallam man bundled over the
touchline, allowing Uni the chance to score once more. After multiple runs at the line the
ball was shipped wide for Hadyn Young to complete his hattrick with a strong finish.
Converted by Joe Winstanley, making the score line 28-10 as the game entered its final
quarter.

Mistakes in exit allowed Hallam to attack Uni’s line, however Sheffield’s defence proved too
strong before an interception offered Uni the chance to catch Hallam on the break. A smart
blindside move and strong run from centre Felix Hawes gave Uni the field position to stretch
Hallam and put Ali Moussa in under the sticks for his first of the season, to make the score
34-10 after another successful conversion with 7 minutes left to play.

As the game began to reach its conclusion, Uni dictated the pace. A kick on last tackle and
fast chase left Hadyn Young on the break, before an offload for prop Seth Kippax-Jones to
show his phenomenal pace and race 30 yards to achieve the game’s final score, once more
converted by Joe Winstanley, leaving the game with a final score of:

University of Sheffield 40 – 10 Sheffield Hallam

Uni go into the next fixture against Huddersfield as league leaders, hopeful to build on yet
another victory.

 

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