Otley in trouble as Swatkins sweeps in

Sheffield Tigers 24 Otley 19

SHEFFIELD Tigers gained revenge for defeat earlier in the season and gave their rivals’ hopes of avoiding relegation a knock at Dore Moor.

The Yorkshire derby was close throughout, but Tigers consolidated 10th spot with a five-point victory, while Otley had to be content with a losing bonus and remain third bottom.

Winger Pete Swatkins gave Tigers a lead with a try after nine minutes.

The ball was moved through the backs and Jamie Broadley made the extra man to put in Swatkins for the try which stand-off Jonny West converted.

Otley hit back and started to punch holes in the home defence. Winger James Twomey went clear only to be recalled for an earlier forward pass.

Stand-off Christian Georgiou then kicked an 18th-minute penalty, but Tigers made the most of the wind on their backs in the first half with second-row Sam Cook racing in on the half-hour after a catch and drive.

Winger Broadley then touched down on 32 minutes after taking a good ball on the halfway and beating two men to run in for a try which West converted to put Tigers 19-3 ahead at half-time.

Georgiou added penalties on 47 and 53 minutes, but they did not break through for a try until the 56th minute when right winger Twomey touched down after a fine run from centre Tom Harris.

Another followed on the hour mark from Georgiou, who chipped ahead and gathered the ball to level the scores at 19-19, but Tigers made sure of the win with a cracking 68th-minute try.

The referee had played advantage as Tigers pressured, and three long passes led to Swatkins racing in for his second try of the afternoon in the corner.

Although the conversion was missed, it mattered little for Tigers who had done enough to take the five points.

Melbourne Rebels will be without Adam Byrnes for more than half of the Super 15 season after the lock was handed a 10-match ban for eye gouging in Friday night’s game against the Waratahs.

SANZAR judicial officer Paul Tully imposed the suspension after a four-and-a-half-hour hearing. The Russia international was cited after a complaint that Tom Carter had been gouged in the ruck.