‘Dale pay price for sloppy defence

SHEFFIELD TIGERS roared back to win after Wharfedale’s brand of fast, open rugby saw them take a 14-point lead in the first 20 minutes.

Tigers, the 100th different league team to play at The Avenue, were allowed back into the game because of poor tackling from the Greens.

Josh Burridge scored for the Dalesmen with a solo burst from the 22 and Robbie Davidson finished off a well-judged crosskick from Jamie Guy. Guy converted both.

The first try from Sheffield happened when three tacklers failed to halt Steven Walker opening the scoring for the visitors. This was repeated minutes later to allow Peter Swatkins to touch down under the posts. With Thomas Outram converting both, the scores were level.

Tom Davidson took Wharfedale back into the lead with an unconverted try but Sheffield answered with a good handling move which put Henri Packard over. Outram’s conversion nudged the visitors into the lead at half-time.

The second half was a tense affair but it was Sheffield who broke the deadlock with a welltaken 43-metre penalty shot from Outram. After more poor tackling, Swatkins’s try stretched the lead to ten points and secured a hard-earned bonus-point victory.