Sheffield Eagles 44 Barrow Raiders 18: Eagles soar to victory in one-way second half

After a dull first 40 minutes it was a more purposeful Eagles that responded to what coach Mark Aston described as “home truths” during the break.

Prop forward Mitch Stringer put in some big sets and was rewarded with two tries.

Eagles took the lead on 20 minutes with Menzie Yere’s pace taking him through the Raiders’ line. Joe Hirst followed up a chip kick to add a second and Dominic Brambani kicked the goals.

It seemed the Eagles were in control but tries by Liam Harrison and Kurt Haggerty just before half-time levelled the score at 
12-12.

Eagles stormed ahead from the restart with prop Dario Esposito sending in Yere for his second try.

Tom Armstrong then split the line before sending in Patch Walker under the posts.

Stringer produced a blasting run to crash over a try. Brambani hit the upright with the first kick but added the second.

Barrow’s only try of the half was from centre Max Wiper with Haggerty kicking his third goal.

Any revival was snuffed out as Stringer crashed over and Brambani added the goal.

Barrow were starting to look jaded as Brambani dummied before sweeping in and fullback Laulu-Togagae’s angled run took him over. Brambani added both goals.

Sheffield: Laulu-Togagae; Finigan, Yere, Armstrong, Taulapapa; Walker, Brambani; Roche, Henderson, Stringer, Knowles, Staugheir, Hirst. Substitutes: Davey, Esposito, Garside, Green.

Barrow: Backhouse; McGilvray, Low, Wiper, Clay; Finch, Casey; Butler, Mossop, Dawson, Harrison, Kurt Haggerty, Toal. Substitutes: Nicholson, Whitehead, Brennan, Mattew Haggarty.

Referee: J Leahy (RFL).