The 2006 - 2007 Season

Coaches -:  Richard Wood, Daryl Jackson & Lynton Stott

All Pennine League Results and tables can be found here

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE CUP DRAW

NOTE:  FROM & INCLUDING 3RD NOV 2007 ALL MATCHES KICK OFF AT 2:00PM

In League Division 4 with Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks are:

Brighouse Rangers A; Dudley Hill A; Hollinwood; Liversedge; Meltham All Blacks; Queensbury A; Silsden Park Rangers; Stainland Stags; Thornton; Underbank Rangers; Wortley Dragons

Directions to the opposition grounds can be found HERE

Match Reports

Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (32) 38 Rotherham Roosters(6) 20 .. 23rd August 2007

 

In this pre-season match between the two highly successful sides of last season the Roosters, promoted to Division 2 with only one loss last term, were shown that the Hawks, promoted to Division 4, with one loss, were not going to be the easy prey this time compared to the corresponding match 12 months earlier. (Hawks 30 Roosters 40).

 

Both sides had a fair selection of players well known to each other and to rugby league in Sheffield, with several Sheffield Eagles Academy players involved, ex- Eagles first teamers and players who have been members of the "opposition".

 

From the kick off the Hawks went on the offensive and within the first 3 minutes Andy Gwilliam had put the first try on the scoreboard. He played a major part in the overall display of the Hawks and was certainly a contender for the man of the match award, if there had been one.

Joe Barber took the first kick which nearly everyone thought was successful, apart from the touch judges who waved it off as a miss. Constant pressure by the Hawks, ably led by the driving runs of Steve Craven, who took no prisoners and superb support from Mark Slatter and Luke Holt made the Rotherham side generate plenty of mistakes and forced them into a large amount of tackling.

 

Rob and Wayne North of the Roosters were trying to make inroads into the Hawks defence, but it stood firm with Neil Harrison and Steve Craven, along with the youngster Luke Holt making their tackles count. Wilf Fairbank was covering all angles at centre and was eventually rewarded with Hawks second try on 11 minutes which Joe Barber managed to hit the posts with, and it fell the wrong side of the uprights.

Hawks were eight nil up and certainly playing as if they were the 2nd division side not the 4th division.

 

It was surprising that there were not too many "silly" errors and after another concerted effort, Hawks found themselves on the score sheet again 5 minutes later with a typical 2nd rower's try from Mark Slatter who went in from 4 yards out, close to the left upright. This time Barber made no mistake. 14 points, 16 minutes and no reply from the visitors. A very encouraging start for the enthusiastic Hawks.

 

The Roosters were already "getting at each other". Silly errors, lack of concentration, was the call of the players but Hawks capitalised on this and Andy Gwilliam, looking very fit, went in for his 2nd on 20 minutes, again converted by Barber. An astute substitution put the young John-Jo Breen on who was playing really well and making a nuisance of himself and on 26 minutes he, along with the trusty boot of Barber increased the score to 26 points without reply.

 

Rotherham appeared rattled and no matter what the young James Allen or the old head and experience of Rob North, along with crowd (?) favourite Bryn Evans, did the Hawks were on a roll. Craven went on battering runs, tackled as if there was no tomorrow and Harry Whales was more secure than Fort Knox.

 

Vince Caldwell was the next to add to the score sheet with some excellent backing up from open play that took him in close to the touch line, for Barber to add to his tally.

 

The Hawks seemed to go off the boil for the next ten minutes and no matter how hard Luke Holt, Dan Gray and Michael Wall (I glad he wasn't tackling me) tried the Rotherham line could not be breeched again this half.

 

It was the excellent running of the half backs James Allen and Bryn Evans that combined for Allen to score a "consolation" try of the half and Evans to convert at the half time whistle.

 

Steve Hunter was the only scorer for the Hawks in the second half on 46 minutes, again converted by Barber, who did actually come off for a rest and to have a split mended just above his eye.

 

Steve Craven, Michael Wall and Luke Holt were thorns in the Roosters side, but, the big forwards of Roosters did start to make an impression on the Hawks, and if it wasn't for the defence of Harry Whales, and his running out of trouble, the runs of Wilf Fairbank and Ian Robinson, and the speed of Leon M-D the Hawks would have conceded quite a few more points. Simon Travis put in a good stint and Craig Short showed some of his old form, but will, we hope, improve as the season goes on, when he regains some speed and fitness.

 

Steve Hunter and John-Jo Breen were excellent substitutes and showed that the Hawks could be a force to reckon with this season.

 

Rotherham took control of the match, in terms of scoring as they added tries from Ben Moore and Evan Shannanon (?spelling), neither converted by Bryn Evans and finished the game off with a try from Scott North, converted by James Allen.

 

Final score Hawks 38 Roosters 20.

 

Match Stats: Referee: Bernie Hunter

Penalties: Hawks (5) 5 Roosters (4) 6 : Time awarded to Hawks: 5,10,25,28,32. Awarded to Roosters:13,24,38,39,60,61

Tackles: Hawks 97 Roosters 136: Hawks top tacklers: Neil Harrison 24, Steve Craven 23, Andy Gwilliam 22 : Hawks Metres Gained: 887 : Top Men: Steve Craven 110, Harry Whales 97, Wilf Fairbank 94: Hitups 124  Top man : Steve Craven 15

Completion Rate: 68.6%   1st half: 76.2%, 2nd half 57.1%.

Errors: 9 knock ons, 2 lost control of ball in tackle, ball put in touch

             Sets lost : Numbers - 4,5,7,12,21,25,26, 28,30,32,33,34.

 

Hawks: Harry Whales; Joe Barber; Ian Robinson; Vince Caldwell; Leon Malcolm-Downs; Dan Gray; Neil Harrison; Steve Craven; Craig Short; Luke holt; Mark Slatter; Andy Gwilliam; Wilf Fairbank; John Jo Breen; Simon Travis; Steve Hunter; Michael Wall.

Scorers: Tries: Gwilliam (3, 20); Fairbank (11); Slatter (16); Breen (26); Caldwell (29); Hunter ( 46) Goals: Barber 5/7

Roosters: Danny Beasley; Ben Moore; Wayne Gregory; Scott North; Abi Khartrime; Bryn Evans; James Allen; Wayne North; Sam Moore; Rob North; Dan Lynch; Chris Bell; Steve Burns; Craig Woolley; Alan Concannon; Evan Shannanon; Jodi Sheffield

Scorers: Allen (40); Moore (48); Shannanon (63); North S (76). Goals : Evans 1/3; Allen 1/1

 

 

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Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (12) 30      Bradford Dudley Hill A  (4) 10....1st September 2007

 

A very young looking Dudley Hill came out of the blocks at great speed and shocked the Hawks defence and supporters by running in an easy unconverted try on the 6th minute.

Scott Halstead made it look so easy, but James Backs made a horrendous attempt at a conversion.

 

It took until the 26th minute before Harry Whales broke the Hill's defence to put the first points on the board, with the conversion by Joe Barber. Hawks were having great difficulty in keeping hold of the ball and just could not complete their sets of six. They had, after 26 minutes, only completed 6 sets, through knocking on and making forward passes. Steve Craven then went on the first of his uncompromising runs covering 60 yards to score the first of his two tries on 28 minutes, again converted by Barber. Craven was immediately substituted, so that he could recover !!

 

The Hawks started to play some good defensive rugby as Hill tried their hardest to break the Hawks line but they were guilty themselves of elementary errors.

 

Many of the Hawks players were gaining large amounts of yards, particularly Nathan Hall, Luke Holt, Harry Whales, Wilf Fairbank and some incredible tackling by Craven, Holt, Dan Gray and Craig Short, well supported by Slatter and Mclean, but the final part of crossing the whitewash was eluding them, and Vince Caldwell managed, after a great series of passes, to knock on after crossing the try line on the 39th minute, and at half time the Hawks went in 12 points to 4 up.

 

Having got all 4 subs on the field, the second half started quite brightly and Wilf Fairbank started the ball rolling with a well taken try on the 42nd minute, this time the conversion was missed by Barber.

 

With a few bizarre refereeing decisions having already been given and no advantage being allowed by the Hawks, Hill stole the ball in a four man tackle on Barber about 15 yards out from the Hawks line and Neil Beck was allowed to run in un-opposed for the Hill's 2nd and final try which was converted by Simon Senior.

 

Barber was fairly vociferous about the referee's ability to see the action which had taken place and was, consequently given the opportunity for an early shower and chance to get the round in at the bar. Although Hawks were down to 12 men, no matter what Hill tried they could not break through. Their tactics were a little strong, to say the least, with the bruises showing on the Hawks players arms and legs after the game. At the end of the third quarter Fairbank went in for his second which Dan Gray failed to convert. He was putting in a fantastic tackling display though.

 

His brother, Tom, was rewarded with a try on the 70th minute, but Dan could not tag on the extras.

 

The completion of the sets was improving all of the time and by the time Steve Craven was given the ball on the 25th minute he decided that he fancied another crack at the try line and the Dudley Hill bunch could do nothing to stop him having another easy 40 yard run to score his second try. This time Dan did the honours and converted the try into 6 points and the Hawks finished the game as 30 points to 10 winners.

 

Hawks:Ricky Gregory; Nathan Hall; Tom Gray; Vince Caldwell; Joe Barber; Dan Gray; Harry Whales; Steve Craven; Craig Short; Scott Mclean; Luke Holt; Mark Slatter; Wilf Fairbank; John Jo Breen; Richard Allen; Leon Malcolm-Downs; Michael Wall.

Hawks Scorers - Steve Craven - 2 ,Wilf Fairbank - 2 ,Tom Gray,Harry Whales: Goals Joe Barber 2 (67%); Dan Gray 1 (33%)

 

Dudley Hill: Neil Beck; Steve Smith; Simon Kenefice; Scott Halstead; Craig Charlton; Danny Whitely, James Becks; John Vakhikouks; Nathan Kitson; Scott Harland; Ryan McConnell; Ross Mezals; Chris Walsh; Neil Harland; Simon Senior; Sean Kelly, Gaz Reid

Hill scorers: Halstead (6min); Beck (52 min) : goals Senior (1/1) [Backs 0/1]

 

Hawks stats:

Hawks Metres gained 763; Top metres Steve Craven 174. Tackles 152; Top Tackler Dan Gray 21; Missed tackles 23; Hit ups 102; Completion:- 1st half 52.9%; 2nd half 68.7%: Overall 60.8%

 

Penalties: Hawks 4 Bradford 0:  Scrums: Hawks (8) 15 Bradford (8) 11

 

3:2:1 - Steve Craven; Tom Gray; Dan Gray
 

Sent off - Joe Barber (52 min): Ref : Kenny Tinsdale (Wakefield)

 

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Meltham All Blacks (0) 6   Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (12) 38.... 8th September 2007

 

A bare-boned Hawks side continued where they left off last week and put in a tremendous display of committed rugby against an enthusiastic Meltham team. Meltham were awarded their 2nd penalty in the 2nd minute, but failed to convert the opportunity. The Hawks then started to take a grip of the game scoring the first of their 7 tries on the 21st minute, after a blockbusting burst by Michael Wall, converted by Joe Barber. The only other score of the half came from a Barber converted try scored Tom Gray.

 

The second half gave the Hawks the advantage of the slope and the tiring of the Meltham pack and within 10 minutes of the restart Gray (Tom for his 2nd), Barber and Mclean had crossed the Meltham line and Hawks had a 28 point advantage.

 

The Hawks forwards dominated the play with some huge hitups and tackles.

 

Further tries by Ricky Gregory and Vince Caldwell made the game secure and a consolation try for Meltham was scored with 2 minutes left on the clock.

 

Man of the Match went to Tom Gray and an excellent performance by the whole team

 

Hawks stats:

Hawks Metres gained 1040:  Top metres Luke Holt 182: Tackles 165: Top Tackler Rob Ridley 29 : Missed tackles 6 : Hit ups 110

Completion Rate: 1st half 63.3%; 2nd half 63.1%: Overall 63.2%[26/41]

 

Penalties: Meltham (5) 8 Hawks (5) 12 :  Scrums: Meltham 0 Hawks 6

 

Hawks team: GRAY Tom; WOODS Nick; BARBER Joe; CALDWELL Vince; HALL Nathan; GRAY Dan; GREGORY Ricky; WALL Michael; SHORT Craig; MCLEAN Scott; HOLT Luke; RIDLEY Rob; SLATTER Mark.

Scorers: Tries:- T Gray (33,43); Barber(45) ; Caldwell (72); Gregory (57); Wall (21); Mclean (50). Goals :- Barber 5/7

 

 

Meltham: HEALEY Lewis; WILSON Richard; DAWSON  Shaun;LEWIS Robert; ROEBUCK David; BOWER Shaun; LODGE Alan;WHITE Ben; CARTER Matthew; CARMODY Paul; MCEVER Paul; WHITE Ross; HIRD Matthew; STEPHENSON Chris; GARDINER Simon; MALACHY Joe; SYKES Ian.

Scorers: Try - Bower (78) Goal :- Lewis

 

3 : 2: 1 - Tom Gray; Michael Wall; Nathan Hall

 

 

 

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Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (14) 28  Wortley Dragons (0) 18 ..... 15th September 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Hunter flies in for one of his three tries © KWatson

 

 

Hawks: H. Whales, S. Hunter,V. Cauldwell, T. Gray, J. Barber, D. Gray, R. Gregory, S. Craven, C. Short, M, Wall, L. Holt, R. Ridley, M. Slatter,  N. Wood, R. Allen, John Jo Breen, S. Travis

Hawks Scorers: Tries: Joe Barber; Steve Hunter 3; Dan Gray

Conversions: Joe Barber 2 from 5; Penalties: Joe Barber 2 from 2

 

Wortley: S. Boswell, D. Siddall, S. Thompson, T.Cuddy, A. Thomas, G. Stevenson, J. Dean, G. Adams, L. Higgins, S. Hirst, R. Wilson, C. Brown, D. O'Stocks,  D. Proctor, A. Pratt, M. Robbins, P. McMullin

Wortley scorers: Tries: Bosworth - Pratt - Cuddy. Goals: Stephenson 3

 

Hawks 3-2-1 : Dan Gray; Luke Holt; Mark Slatter.

 

Penalties awarded Hawks 10 Wortley 3

Referee: Phil Boot (Wakefield)

 

 

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Liversedge (10) 10 Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (18) 34 …22nd September 2007

 

Playing down hill in the first half Hawks were kept at bay by an enthusiastic Liversedge team, who managed to upset the ref on several occasions by talking at him (excellent ref in Stuart Marshall).

 

Liversedge were in the referee's bad books twice within the first minute for holding down and for the use of a swinging arm and added to this they received several warnings about discussing the referee's ability to make correct decisions, before receiving their first "talk back" penalty on 7 minutes.

 

Hawks were playing some good rugby but only had control of the ball 14 times ( 5 sets) in the first 7 minutes. Steve Craven was putting in some big tackles along with Sheffield Eagles Academy Shooting Star Luke Holt and both made considerable inroads into the Liversedge defence.

 

Craven made his way to the try line on the 9th minute and Joe Barber successfully converted it to give the Hawks the lead they deserved. One or two of the home side were getting frustrated with the way things were going and then showed that they did have some considerable talent in their ranks when  Danny Howard managed to cross the Hawks line on 18 minutes. Jarrod Toulson failed to add the extras.

 

Simon Lomas was getting back to his old form with some big tackles and made useful yards and Andy Gwilliam was playing the best game, for him, of this season. He was getting the tackles in and making them count. Unfortunately for Hawks they were not able to take the advantage of the slope and were only completing 1 in 2 sets until Steve Craven got across for his 2nd try. He had made several bursts which Liversedge had trouble in stopping and Vince Caldwell and Nick Wood were playing some very attractive football, although Caldwell came more into his own in the second half.

 

Wilf Fairbank got onto the score sheet shortly after Craven's second and the Hawks looked as iof they did want to ensure the slope had been an advantage. Joe Barber had a faultless kicking game in the first half, with 3 out of 3 conversions. Harry Whales was as ever secure on the high ball and kick through from the home team.

 

Hawks gave a way a couple of stupid penalties shortly after Craig Sibbick (and his mouth) of Liversedge, had got a 10 minute rest on 32 minutes after Wilf had gone in for Hawks 3rd try, and the home side scored their 2nd with about a minute to go to the end of the first half, through sloppy Hawks defence, but that was the last time they scored.

 

The 2nd half showed the strength and size of the Hawks forwards was going to be the telling factor and Luke Holt found the only mud on the pitch and scored his first try of the campaign, on 51 minutes. Vince Caldwell had put in a tremendous break of 35 yards to set up the move. Barber just missed the conversion.

 

The second half saw the Hawks bring on the fresh legs of Tom Gray, Rob Ridley and Craig Short and they all started to make the impact required. Slim put in some good drives and some tackles Liversedge will not forget too quickly, as did Simon Lomas, who was talked to by the referee about his tackling technique, as the home side found out he is quite a hard hitter.

 

A succession of penalties for obstruction and a swinging arm against Hawks did not deter the Hawks from pressurizing the much smaller Liversedge team and Caldwell ploughed over for the first of his tries on 68 minutes. He failed to convert his own try. Steve Hunter made useful inroads into the defence and Short and Holt were relentless in their drives towards the Liversedge try line.

 

The substitution of the half was made when Simon Travis came on for Richard Allen on 57 minutes. He was straight into the action and made excellent yards time and time again. The Hawks were completing their sets of six with much more success and Liversedge started to tire, make errors, get penalized for ripping and the final say was left to Caldwell who followed two attempted penalty kicks by Barber (both successful), with a try on the final play of the game. [One touch judge awarded the conversion, one didn't and at the referee's discretion he judged that it missed !]

 

Hawks : Harry Whales; Steve Hunter; Vince Caldwell; Joe Barber; Nick Wood; Dan Gray; Neil Harrison; Steve Craven; Simon Lomas; Luke Holt; Richard Allen; Andy Gwilliam; Wilf Fairbank; Tom Gray; Rob Ridley; Craig Short; Simon Travis.

Scorers: Tries: Craven (9,28); Caldwell (68, 80); Holt (51); Fairbank (31). Goals; Barber 5/7 [Caldwell 0/1]

Hawks Man of Match : Si Lomas. Special mention for Simon Travis who in 23 minutes put in some crunching runs and covered a heck of a distance, and Slim who actually looks to be getting better (Sorry Craig !!) - 32 minutes of solid hard work.

 

Liversedge: Ryan Johnson; Damon Fletcher; Phil Shotton; Danny Howard; Rob Bingham; Mark Chapman; Richard Dolan; James Squires; Darren Butler; Steve Crewe; Craig Sibbick; Lee Newton; Jarrad Toulson; Simon Walesworth; Warren Hardcastle; Danny Hart; Josh Knowles.

Scorers: Tries: Howard (18); Butler (38): Goals Toulson 1/2 : Liversedge MoM : Phil Shotton; 2nd Darren Butler; 3rd Craig Sibbick

 

Team tackles 161 (1st man in 103) Liversedge 1st man in 149.: Hawks Top tackler - Andy Gwilliam 20:  Total missed tackles = 9

Hawks metres gained: 858m: Top man Steve Craven 116m: Team Number of runs made 155: Number of hit-ups 126; top man : Steve Craven 18

Scrums: Liversedge (5) 6 Hawks (4) 8: Penalties : Liversedge (3) 6 Hawks (5) 9. Hawks completion: 1st 65%; 2nd 79%.

 

 

3 : 2 : 1 - Simon Lomas: Andy Gwilliam: Vince Caldwell

 

Excellent referee.: Stuart Marshall ( Wakefield)

 

Excellent welcome and hospitality by Liversedge ARLFC.

 

A Liversedge lad broke his foot in the first half. Best wishes for speedy recovery

 

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Silsden Park Rangers (6) 6  Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (38) 76  ............... 29th September 2007

 

Hawks 14 try demolition of Silsden saw them tighten their grip on the league and remain unbeaten this season.

 

A short benched Hawks side travelled to the north of Keighley for this Division 4 meeting with Silsden Park Rangers where they had over an hour to wait for someone to arrive with a key to the aptly known "shed". With no toilet facilities anywhere in sight of the field in the park. (Apparently the council demolished them and didn't tell anyone one.) The facilities were dire. The lads got strapped up on the road whilst waiting and had little time for a warm up.

 

Apart from this and the many other problems encountered by the coaching staff and supporters, from the "supporters" of Silsden, the home side did not have a match ball with air in it or a pump to re-inflate it.

 

Silsden started the match by kicking out on the full and after the resultant penalty and 4 tackles Harry Whales had scored the opening try in 1min 35 secs. Dan Gray converted the first of his 9 goals.

 

The Hawks took another 6 minutes before they regained possession and then on the third drive Andy Gwilliam went in for the first of his 3 tries. Again converted by Dan.

 

Hawks were putting in some strong tackles and the Silsden pack were finding life and progress difficult, although they did force, incorrectly, Hawks to drop out from under the posts, after Nick Wood had caught a kick on the full within the dead ball area. This was the first of several bizarre decisions made by the Bradford referee Matt Greenhough.

 

Another two sets (actually on 6 completed tackles) Hawks had the ball back in Andy Gwilliams hands, and after Hawks only scrum of the half and a further penalty, for him to go over for his second try, which Dan did not convert.

 

16 points in 12 minutes and the home side were getting rattled. Wayne Verity, possibly the best player (or could have been) on the home side was putting in some cheap shots, which went unpunished and Glen Ferguson was trying his hardest to obstruct Hawks progress in defence with dummy runs.

 

This just seemed to motivate the Hawks even more and on the 18th minute, Under 14's coach Mark Slatter, went in for the first of his brace, again converted by Dan Gray. Michael Wall, Luke Holt and Slatz were forcing the Silsden defence onto the back foot all of the time and this was to prove their major weakness.

 

What followed were two bizarre calls against the Hawks, who were literally running rings around the home team. A holding down call and an off-side were given against the visitors and the actually Man of the Match for Silsden, Shaun Metcalfe, went in for their only try, converted, by an inch and a half, by Ben Russ.

 

After this the visitors were goaded into getting back on track and ran in a further three tries by John Jo Breen, Nick Wood and the first of three by captain Vince Caldwell, before the half time whistle.

 

In the seventeen sets played by the Hawks prior to half time, there were only two fully completed sets ! Completion rate was 76%.

 

Rob Ridley was substituted on 25 minutes after his efforts had worn down the defence, rejoined the fray 12 minutes later only to be carried off virtually immediately, after damage to his leg. He took no further part in the proceedings as he was a gues of the local hospital. (Injury is not serious as first thought and is fluid on the knee)

 

Herb Gray was threatened by some of the home team when he was "running the line" and refused to be abused further after half time. This seemed to be the general tactics of the "supporters" as well towards the Hawks supporters and coaching staff. Luckily for Hawks, injured referee John Furness was a spectator and took up the flag, which was gratefully appreciated.

 

The second half started in a similar manner to the first, with "H" going in for his second try within the first 2 minutes. He was the Mr Dependable in defence as well.

 

This re-ignited the Hawks and further excellent football resulted which rattled Silsden and Vinny made a superb break of 40 odd yards and with an interchange of passing between himself, Tom Gray and Richard Allen went in for his second try on 46 minutes. He completed his hat trick 10 minutes later and Dan converted both.

 

Hawks  then gave away the advantage on their next two sets, both on third tackles, but with Neil Harrison going off injured, Slatz got to grips with the ball in hand and went in for his second try from 5 yards out, which he converted himself.

 

Not to be outdone by his captain, winger Gwilliam collected his third try on the 65th minute (this made the score after the conversion attempt - 6 - 66 on the 66th minute !!).

 

The referee wanted to end the contest early but after consultation with the coaches and encouragement from the Hawks supporters he continued to play the game until the 71st minute. Further concerted effort got two more tries from the Hawks from Michael Wall and Tom Gray. Dan converted one and Luke Holt just missed the conversion with the other. Final whistle and a comprehensive win for the Hawks.

 

An excellent debut by Richard Pitchfork

 

Match stats:

Tackles: First man in 62 (team tackles 104)  Silsden 95; Top tacklers: Andy Gwilliam and Richard Allen 11 each.Missed tackles 6

Penalties: SILSDEN ( 3) 5   HAWKS (4) 5; Scrums: SILSDEN (4) 5   HAWKS(1) 8  

Completion Rate: 1st half 76%; 2nd half 79%.[Only 31 sets played]

Hitups 85: Top men Nick Wood and Luke Holt - 11 each

Metres gained 935; Top men Luke Holt 130; 2nd Michael Wall 109.

 

 

Hawks Team: Harry Whales; Andy Gwilliam; Vince Caldwell; Tom Gray; Nick Wood; Dan Gray; Neil Harrison; Mike Wall; Craig Short; Luke Holt; Richard Allen; Rob Ridley; Mark Slatter; John Jo Breen; Richard Pitchfork.

Hawks scorers:Tries: Harry Whales(1,42); Andy Gwilliam (7,12,65); Vince Caldwell (38,46,56); Tom Gray (70); Nick Wood (34); Michael Wall (67); Mark Slatter (18, 63); John Jo Breen (30): Goals: Dan Gray 9/12; Mark Slatter 1/1

 

Silsden: Phil Broadley;Matthew Dobson;Chrias Spencer;Ben Russ;Mark Ives;Wayne Verity;Alistair Feather;James Doherty;John Cruthers;Jo Ogden;Chris Greenwood;Shaun Metcalfe;Glen Ferguson;Adam Wilkinson;Mark Holden;David Webster;Shane Dunnelly.

Scorers:Try: Shaun Metcalfe (26) Goal: Ben Russ

 

Silsden MOM: Shaun Metcalfe; Runner up: Alistair Feather

 

Scoring sequence:0-6;0-12;0-16;0-22;6-22;6-28;6-34;6-38;6-44;6-50;6-56;6-62;6-66;6-72;6-76

 

Man of Match: Dan Gray  ;  2nd-Mark Slatter ;  3rd:-Mike Wall

 

Referee: Matthew Greenhough (Bradford)

 

 

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20th October 2007

Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (0)10 Thornton (16) 34

 

Hawks lose unbeaten record

"A Thorn(ton) in Hawks side"

 

Previously unbeaten  Hawks put in a disappointing display at Hillsborough on Saturday and a result they deserved.

 

This was the first home league defeat for Hawks since 6th January 2006 when they lost to Selby when they were in Pennine League 4 previously. (The year of relegation)

 

It was the first defeat by a Hawks team since losing to Siddal last season (27th January 2007) in the only league game they lost on the way to the League and Cup double

 

The whole display was the same as the "dark-side" 3rd place play of between France (the home team) and Argentina !!

 

There was a complete lack of passion and enthusiasm and in the first 13 minutes of the game saw the visitors run in two tries, both on the right hand side of the feeble defence and both to Bob Jackson.

 

Unfortunately no-one in the Hawks team seemed to want to take the lead. It was like a morgue. Thornton capitalized on this and continued to force numerous errors, restricted the Hawks possession, won penalties for holding down and being off-side t the play  of the ball and by half time had increased their lead to 16 points to nil.

 

The only Hawks player showing any effort in attack was, Tom Gray, whereas Neil Harrison, Richard Allen and Dan Gray were tackling absolutely everyone. There were some players who made more errors in the first 40 minutes than they made all last season. When the interchanges were made the errors did not abate. The final five sets of possession in the half achieved a 60% error rate.

 

The half time whistle was a welcome relief, and hopes rose that it surely couldn't get any worse…………………… It did.

 

Four more unanswered tries to the visitors, with Jackson getting his 4th, in the third quarter and a total lack of drive or passion in the Hawks ranks. A completion rate of 40% told the story. The spectators and non-playing players were offering to put kit on. Some players tried blaming the referee, instead of themselves, but eventually on 70 minutes, when Thornton had virtually run themselves into the ground, the home team woke up. The visitors were suffering fro cramp and exhaustion and Harry Whales managed to break the "duck" and go in for the Hawks opening score. Unfortunately Dan Gray could not convert the try.

 

Harry was the one making the running in the second half with good support from Nathan Hall and eventually after 3 penalties on the Thornton line the Hawks, in the guise of Vince Caldwell, crossed the whitewash for the second time. Dan converted this try.

 

The final few agonizing minutes saw how the home side can play, unfortunately, 70 minutes too late.

 

The best team won. No argument there. Thornton wanted to win. It was pay-back time. They deserved to win.

 

The general opinion after the game was that ""we hope that is Hawks wake-up call""

 

A big congratulations and well done to Thornton. The win was thoroughly deserved.

 

Next weekend the Hawks travel to Hollinwood (Oldham) and are looking to get their act back on track.

 

 

Sheffield: Harry Whales; Steve Hunter; Vince Caldwell; Ricky Gregory; Nick Wood;

Dan Gray; Neil Harrison; Luke Holt; John-Jo Breen; Michael Wall; Richard Allen; Richard Pitchfork; Tom Gray; Carl Walker; Wilf Fairbank; Nathan Hall; Craig Short.

 

Scorers: Tries Harry Whales, Vince Caldwell. Goal: Dan Gray

 

Thornton: Dave Helm; James Hodgeson - T - 61;Mick Price; Bob Jackson -T: 6,13,48,66::Goals 3/6 ; Graham Woodward; Paul Priestley -T: 24. Goal: 0/1; Garath Crowther -T: 57; Stuart Haigh; Lee Raistrick - MOM; Charles Marsh; Jonny Alderson; Richard Wood; Simon Giles; Lenne Rawsley; Jonny Helm -Goals: 0/1; James Flemming

 

Match Stats:

 

Penalties: Hawks (3) 7 Thornton (6) 10

 

Penalties awarded against Hawks were: 4 - holding down; 3 - off-side; 2 - high tackles; 1 - verbals to ref

Awarded to Hawks: 5 - offside; 2 - holding down

 

Scrums : Hawks (7) 10 Thornton (3) 7

Tackle Count : Hawks 221 Thornton 123

Top tackles : Richard Allen : 25 ; Neil Harrison : 24 ; Dan Gray 23

Metres made: 643 Top metres: Harry Whales 70 Nathan Hall 66

Hit ups : 90 Top man : Nathan Hall, Vince Caldwell 9  

Run made 112 Top Man : Tom Gray 11

Man of Match (3,2,1) : Tom Gray : Luke Holt : Nathan Hall

 

Completion rate: 1st half: 56.3% 2nd half: 61.1%

 

Only had control of the ball 11 times in the first 13 minutes. That equates to only 1 complete set from 3.

 

Referee: Phil "I'm not here to give you anything - I'm here to get this game played"  Downsborough.

 

- referee to Hawks captain after the ref was approached about certain strange decisions had been  awarded.

 

 

 

Back to the top

 

27th October 2007

Hollinwood  (6) 18  Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks (6) 28

 

Hawks fly back to the top of the table

 

After the disappointment of last week's performance, Hillsborough Hawks ground out a hard fought win against a very well organized Hollinwood side. Hollinwood were not going to be an easy side to beatand they put in an excellent performance, which was reflected in the scoring sequence and in the final result.

 

From the kick-off Hawks, Hawks were very lucky to be awarded a scrum in the opening 10 seconds due to ball watching by the home side, and after 5 tackles the Hawks had 3 players leaping on the ball over the Hollinwood try line. Vince Caldwell being the one at the bottom, to claim the first of his hat-trick. Dan Gray unfortunately could not add on the extras, but that was the only miss he made all game.

 

The Hawks then managed to lose possession twice in their next 4 sets of 6 before being awarded a penalty for the home team being offside.  Another penalty 60 seconds later was not utilized and it took a further 5 minutes before the Hawks had a chance at increasing the score due to a Hollinwood indiscretion at a scrum. This time Dan Gray slotted over the kick. The Hollinwood defence were being stretched and so was their patience and at a holding down penalty one of their forwards disputed the call with the referee and allowed the Hawks to gain another 10 metres. All this advantage to the visitors and then an awful pass which resulted in Alistair Williams running virtually the length of the pitch to open Hollinwood's account. Paul Brooks converted to bring the score level.

 

Shortly after this score Carl Walker finished his game when he suffered a broken nose from a punch delivered blind side of the referee.

 

Although the Hawks were managing to pick up their standard of play and cut out some of the elementary errors of last week, they just could not penetrate the home side's defence. There was no further score before the half-time break.

 

Hollinwood had the cheek to take the lead at the start of the 2nd half. Thankfully the Hawks woke up and started making the tackles count and stopped loosing control of the rugby ball and fought back to eventually take the lead on the 53rd minute with a try from Vince Caldwell, only moments after getting back on to the pitch. Again the hosts clawed themselves back into the game with a try from Cooper, converted by Brooks, but two well kicked penalties from Dan Gray and a try from substitute Ash Simpson gave the Hawks the points.

 

It wasn't a pretty win, but it was a win, especially as there were several players making their 2007 debuts, but the Hawks have established themselves back at the top of the league. The team played more as a team than last week,  and considering that they were promoted to this division last year, they have shown that they can continue to improve and make the opposition realise they are not going to be a push over.

 

 

Tom Gray ended up on the injured list, along with Nick Wood and Carl Walker from the first half, so next week is important to get some of the other squad members back.

 

Another away match next week at Stainland (Halifax), who are supporting the rest of the league at present. Let’s hope the revival continues.

 

Hawks: Harry Whales;  Ricky Gregory; Carl Walker ; Ian Robinson; Nick Wood; Dan Gray; Neil Harrison ; Luke Holt; Tom Gray; Richard Allen; Richard Pitchfork; Rob Ridley; Vince Caldwell ; Ash Simpson; Simon Travis; Tim Farrow; Liam Touhey.

 

Hawks scorers: Tries:- Caldwell (1,49,53) Simpson (65). Goals: Gray D 6/7

 

Hollinwood: Liam Parker; Rick Roberts; Lee Morris; Alistair Williams; Nick Williams; Mark Ainsworth; Daniel Cooper; Andy Charlton; Paul Brooks; Alan Dalton; Pete Jackson; Matty McCullough; Ian Hunt; Carl Clare; Chris Mitchell; Lee Cameron; Lee Bayliss.