Last year's finalists crash out of Cup

YORKSHIRE CUP: Wheatley Hills underlined their table-topping form when they despatched last year's finalists Sheffield Tigers 22-20 in the first round.

Tigers were beaten by Wharfedale in last year's competition, but there will be no repeat after the Sheffield side were beaten by Doncaster-based Hills in a thriller at York Road.

Both sides were without key players, not least their usual kickers, Tom Outram for Tigers and Guy Townsley for Wheatley, and they looked evenly matched for much of the game with the lead changing hands three times.

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Prop San Lockwood crashed over and stand-off Joe Wright converted before adding a 21st-minute penalty to put the visitors 10-0 ahead. Wheatley hit back with flanker Luke Taplin scoring and centre Mike Hayward adding the extras, before full-back Craig Jeffels added a second try to put Wheatley 12-10 ahead.

Lockwood scored again and Wright converted to make it 17-12 at the break. Wright added a second penalty after 46 minutes to put Tigers eight points ahead.

But Wheatley battled on, and narrowed the gap on 55 minutes when John Marshall touched down to close to three points.And, on 70 minutes, winger Ryan Richardson went down the wing to score out wide to clinch victory.