Unlucky break for teenager Aston as East Leeds suffer 10-try defeat

Sheffield Eagles scored 10 tries without reply as they turned in a workmanlike performance against amateurs East Leeds.
Eagles coach Mark AstonEagles coach Mark Aston
Eagles coach Mark Aston

The National Conference Premier side’s enthusiasm and determination ensured that the Championship title-holders never ran away with the game.

Eagles got their first win since the return to Owlerton Stadium but it was marred by teenage half-back Cory Aston, son of coach Mark, suffering a suspected broken collar bone.

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“We would have liked to have gone through the game without an injury,” said Aston senior. “Not a vintage sort of performance.”

After an early charge by East a string of penalties gifted possession to the Eagles who took advantage with tries from Menzie Yere, Scott Turner and Gareth Owen.

Dominic Brambani squeezed in and after struggling with the blustery wind with the earlier kicks added the two points. Matt Garside’s try gave Sheffield a 24-0 interval lead.

Full-back Laulu-Togagae extended the lead soon after the restart with a 60-metre break.

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East had their best spell with Tom Ilde, Ben Walker and Joey Walkin battling hard but a try by Michael Knowles restored the home team’s control.

Brambani claimed his second try and Aston went in but on the next play the young half-back was off following a heavy tackle.

In the final minute a break by Lelauloto Tagaloa sent in Shaun Squires. Brambani kicked his seventh goal.

East Leeds coach Pete Clarkson said: “We probably had a couple of opportunities where we could have gone for two points but we decided to play instead and that’s the way we are. I’m very proud of the lads.Sheffield were good and clinical, particularly in the ruck area.”

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Sheffield Eagles: Laulu-Togagae; Turner, Yere, Squires, Taulapapa; Aston, Brambani; Green, Owen, Stringer, Straugheir, Garside, Knowles. Substitutes: Walker, Hope, Tagaloa, Davey.

East Leeds: Sheldrake; Quinlan, Langton, Declan Tomlinson, Priestley; Conroy, Guant; Fisher, Luke Tomlinson, Idle, Walker, Nurse, Normanton. Substitutes: Carter, James, Pattison, Walkin.

Referee: D Merrick (RFL).