Sheffield Hallam – 16
NURL – 14
An exhausted NURL fell to their first league defeat of the season as they visited the home of all incestuous drongos; Sheffield.
The Owls flew out of the blocks from the first whistle, with a punishing opening 10 minutes seeing both teams complete attacking sets. However, it was the home team that took the impetus, crashing over in the corner after a number well worked passing moves to record the first points of the match. Predictably, their woeful kicker failed to convert the try, perhaps finding his friends pitch-side dog fight too much of a distraction.
The game remained a massivley physical encounter, with prop Daniel “fingers” Caparros setting the tone for the Owls defence with a number of career ending blows.
The death then pulled themselves level following a stunning line break from NURL centre Myles Hudson. After receiving a perfectly measured pass from Chris Griffiths, the centre covered 60 yards to register a try even the famous Ste Moorecroft would be proud to call his own.
The death machine were on the front foot just before the break, with skipper Poops McGee and stand off Wacky Wearside bossing the game for long periods. The visitors were undoubtedly in control and could have easily been in the lead if it weren’t for some unforced errors in crucial areas.
Half time saw the introduction NURL bulimic Will Winterforce into the front row; the stinking prop making an instant impact with some deadly runs off his hooker Robse C. Seagreaveslyton. Unfortunately, fellow substitute Mike Rimmer Smith was forced off through injury following a valliant try saving tackle which kept the Hallam drongos at bay.
The death machine then turned to a familar hero in the shape of their hot headed full back Sammy Boyd. After creating havoc in the midfield with a trademark jinking run, the magician rounded his opposite number to score in the corner.
The slobbering hosts came back strongly after losing the lead, with more aggressive attack giving them a strong field position. NURLs ill discipline proved fatal, as a quick play of the ball from Hallam saw their slobbering winger crash over for a weak try.
With the match entering its final stages, NURLs try scoring machine Joe “Deadlift” Dawson bumbled over his 4th try of the season to move the visitors within touching distance of the lead. It was a typically clumsy try from the lumbering oaf, who decided to run through the Hallam defender rather than pass the ball wide to winger Harry “the wizard” Baxter.
The final moments of the game saw the Owls hopes of recording a 3rd straight win disappear, with the Hallam crossing the white line to register their third try of the game and secure a narrow victory.
The Owls first defeat left a bitter taste in the mouth, as unforced errors proved the difference between the teams. The death machine will keep one eye on the calendar for Hallams visit to Cochrane park in january as they aim to avenge this narrow defeat.
The 2nd team maintained their perfect start to the season with an impressive win over local rivals Northumbria.
Next week NURL will endeavor to get back to winning ways when they entertain Leeds Met 2nds at Cochrane Park, a test which will undoubtedly prove equally challenging as the slobbering meatheads at the Hallam.