Sheffield Eagles 38 Toulouse Olympique 24: Eagles soar into play-off places after seeing off Toulouse threat

Sheffield denied Toulouse a bonus point to move above the French club and into the Championship play-off places for the first time this season.

The Eagles were playing their second game in 72 hours and for coach Mark Aston it was a hard-earned win.

"We kept letting Toulouse back into the game, we were in control then let them back in and then came back again. Credit to the boys because it was tough," said Aston.

Eagles opened the scoring with a try from centre Tangi Ropati following a 40-20 kick, Mitch Stringer, back after his two-match ban, was on hand to add the goal.

Toulouse hit back with a Sylvain Houles try converted by Nathan Wynn but Aaron Groom's try and a second Stringer goal restored the home advantage.

The pattern was repeated as winger Richie Barnett went in near the flag but as the Eagles faded Vincent Dupont pulled a try back. Wynn added the goal but failed with a late penalty to leave it 16-12 at half-time.

A try from full-back Rory Bromley and Wynn's goal edged Olympique ahead soon after the restart but prop Alex Rowe made it six tries in three games and Brendon Lindsay added the goal to restore the Eagles lead. Cook increased the lead as he went over for the first of three tries from dummy half.

Toulouse narrowed the gap with a try from Matthieu Griffi after one of a series of high kicks by Wynn was fumbled. Wynn kicked the goal and the margin was only two points.

Almost immediately Cook went in after Matty Brooks was held near the line.

The hooker sealed the game with his 13 th try of the season after a sparkling passing move between Misi Taulapapa and Lindsay. Stringer kicked both goals.

A disappointment for the Eagles was the attendance of 979 for a game that clashed with the FA Cup final – the lowest since the move to Bramall Lane.

Sheffield Eagles: Taulapapa, Barnett Ropati, Yere, Bergin; Lindsay, Groom; Haley, Cook, Strfinger; Szostak, Green, McDonald, Substitutes: Brooks, Exton, Hepworth, Rowe.

Toulouse: Bromley; Olari, Planas, Duport, Mendes; Houles, Nathan Wynn,; Worth, Mitchell, Griffi, Tisseyre, Maria, Anselme. Substitutes: Tim Wynn, Larroyer, Pelo, Villegas.

Referee: C Halloran.