Match Date: 5th March 2011
Competition: Pennine League Div 3
Result: Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks 34-30 Odsal Sedbergh
Tries: Jared Priestley, Luke Sellers, Alastair James, Luke Dawson, Shaun Flynn
Match Report: Jared Priestley
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In an end to end thriller Odsal were made to pay for early defensive frailties, as they lost out to a last minute Sheffield try.

A strong first quarter from Sheffield gifted them an early lead of 22-0, which ultimately gave them victory. A spirited fight back from Odsal saw them take the lead, but that wasn’t enough as Sheffield grabbed late tries to regain a narrow lead.

The early exchanges were all Sheffield, the home side battering the Odsal defence with their much larger side. These inroads proved valuable as the home side crashed over the line early on when the Odsal defence took a dummy from the Sheffield scrum half.

The story of the early periods however was the referee, who gave countless strange decisions; most notably Odsal being penalised for lifting their arms and appealing for being held down.

Odsal however didn’t let the referee control their game and gave a much better performance in the second quarter.

After securing their defence they went on the attack and looked the most likely to score.

This was soon proven when winger Jared Priestley chased on to a well-placed Luke Sellers kick to round the winger and fullback and score under the uprights.

The remainder of the half stayed in balance, with Odsal putting on some good attacks and controlling the larger Sheffield side with quick play.

With Odsal controlling the early play of the second half they continued to work a tiring Sheffield defence, notable running from youngster Stephen Barnes leading the way.

With Odsal on the front foot a breakthrough try was on the cards, this time it was captain Luke Sellers who was the provider. The loose forward powered over the line from close range for a converted try.

Another try soon followed with Alastair James diving over for a well taken try. A kick from Flynn was gathered on the bounce by centre Josh Tordoff, who stepped inside and passed to the supporting James who slid over near the uprights.

With Odsal now trailing by only four points and in control they continued to batter the bigger Sheffield defence.

Odsal were yet again next to score, capping of an incredible comeback with arguably the try of the game. Luke Dawson grabbing his first try of his open age career, diving over under the sticks after great support play. The try came when a well-placed Flynn kick was chased by winger Jared Priestley, who gathered and passed inside to the supporting Tordoff. The centre then drew the fullback and gave the ball to Dawson to finish.

With a narrow two point lead the game was well poised, with Odsal in high spirits and Sheffield in shock.

However the home side soon started to battle back, with penalties allowing them momentum up the field.

With both sides down to twelve men thanks to sin binning’s the game continued to offer lots of attack.

Sheffield were next to score when their second rower crashed over from close range. The try however was a controversial one, with the player held up for a long period before grounding the ball on his fourth attempt.

This try was to prove a blip in Odsal’s attacking master class, breaks from the forwards as well as centre Robert Priestley allowed Odsal into the Sheffield half. This field position nearly provided points when first Graham Harrison was denied a try when he knocked on near the line from a quick tap. Another close call soon followed when Shaun Flynn was denied a try after being held up over the line.

This did not deter the fullback however as he soon gained a well-deserved try, a drive from close range seeing him power over under the sticks. The try gave Odsal a narrow 30-28 lead with minutes remaining.

This lead was soon increased by Robert Priestley, the centre racing on to a Sellers kick to slide over in the corner. The try was somehow disallowed by the referee who claimed the centre was offside.

With full time fast approaching the lead was snatched away from the visitors cruelly, when a last gasp effort saw the Sheffield prop barge over for a converted try.

The try gave Sheffield a 34-30 victory and prevented Odsal gaining the double over the Sheffield outfit.