BULLDOGS OUT OF THE KENNEL IN SECOND HALF

SHEFFIELD EAGLES 14 BATLEY BULLDOGS 28
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 9 @ OLYMPIC LEGACY PARK
2 APRIL 2018 --- 3PM

OLYMPIC LEGACY PARK HOME OF SHEFFIELD EAGLES

On a snow covered pitch Batley responded in the second half with three tries in eight minutes enough to overturn the 10-4 half time lead that Sheffield had deservedly held.  Eagles had stormed into a 10-0 lead inside 19 minutes and although Dave Scott went over for Batley to reduce the odds the visitors looked far from at the races until the comeback in the second forty.
Rain had once again decimated much of the local football on Saturday, thankfully a Sunday League game was found so as not to have a complete blank weekend and then Bank Holiday Monday, the curtains were drawn back and we had around 2-3 inches of snow.  Once again the fixtures fell by the wayside and with plans already afoot for this eventuality a planned trip to Sheffield Eagles new home at The Olympic Legacy Park in their home city was on the cards.

VIEW OVER SHEFFIELD FROM THE STATION

The new facility has a 4g surface but as we know the football still has a problem with snow settling on the top but having passed a mid morning pitch inspection the decision was fairly simple it was time to dip into some summer [!] rugby league.  The journey from base station was met with a sharp connection at Sheffield station were an exit towards the Supertram would whisk us via the city centre before pulling back out towards Meadowhall.  With plans to alight at Legacy Park it was upon arrival at Attercliffe, the stop before, that a few fans departed so a quick dash for the doors allowed a very brief back street amble to the edge of the whole new complex.  The site of the former Don Valley Stadium built for the World Student Games was before us and although a great loss as a stadium the millstone around the neck it had become saw it demolished and plans afoot for a new project which links in education, university and health, succinctly summed up in the blurb 'part of an internationally recognised innovation district for health and wellbeing and learning'.  The site in some areas is clearly in stages of completion but will offer world class sports education, health and leisure facilities.
With this site Sheffield Eagles secured a ground that backs onto one of the university buildings and with the constant persistence of Mark Aston an Eagle through and through from player to coach.  I have long heard this mans painful cries as he pleaded for his club on local radio and it too his credit plus the club officials, investors and supporters that the day has arrived when rugby league not only comes back to Sheffield but that it also has a ground to call home!

SHEFFIELDS ANSWER TO WEMBLEY WAY WITH GROUND TO THE RIGHT

For those not aware let me do a boring list because here are some, hopefully all, of the grounds the Eagles have played out of Don Valley, Bramall Lane, Don Valley, Owlerton Stadium, Keepmoat Stadium Doncaster, Hillsborough, Oakwell, The Shay, back to Bramall Lane, Sheffield Hallam University Sports Ground and Belle Vue Wakefield Trinity before finally returning to Sheffield for the 2018 season.  So you can see what a grand achievement this has been for the loyal band of supporters that would not let the Eagles fly away.

MARK ASTON SHEFFIELD EAGLES THROUGH AND THROUGH

Back to today and a mini Wembley Way, Legacy Way, sweeps you off the Attercliffe streets and towards the entrance, firstly outside a 50/50 ticket which with the offer of 3 for £2 was too good to resist.  Towards the pay booth just inside the main gate and a ticket for the game and straight after a good value programme at £2.50.  Here it must be said a lot of things are in their infancy and hopefully the club will build around their new home as most things have a temporary feel at the moment.  We pass a small selection of Portaloos and then marquees for food and the intriguingly named Itchy Pig Company supplying all things alcoholic.

A SNOWY OLYMPIC LEGACY PARK

The ground has a complete hard standing walkway around it and is segregated from the pitch by the standard meshed fencing that 4g facilities have,  the pitch is set away from the fencing a little but I guess this is a necessary safety measure to protect the players.  To the immediate right is a portable electronic scoreboard and beyond set up on a raised banking a marquee type stand that I guess hold around 400.  Moving around the ground there is a bowl like effect with grass banking getting higher and encompassing three sides of the arena.  The far side has the dug outs and a TV gantry area which also acts as coach Mark Aston's viewing area as we move back to our entry part of their area is fenced off from the University building which contains the changing facilities.  So at present a basic facility but a home and a tremendous achievement I wait to see some additions to further encourage new fans to visit.

THIS COULD BE FUN EAGLES IN SNOW OSCAR THOMAS

On first viewing today I was amazed that the metre lines had been cleared along with all other relevant lines but the snow must have been 2 inches deep across the carpet,  good old rugby league non of your soft footy types here well done to the officials we were rewarded with a good game of rugby.  However a few Batley fans were moaning this is ridiculous it should be off, mind you I couldn't find them at the end of 80 minutes to check if they still felt the same way.

THE DOGS ARE OUT

The game was slightly late kicking off but Eagles sporting blue had Batley, in predominantly white, under pressure non more so than on eight minute with a lead thanks to Joshua Toole who went over the whitewash, that may not be accurate on these 4g pitches probably should read permanent line.  A swift move on 19 minutes saw the home side increase their lead when Olive Davies brushed off a Joe Farrell challenge to go over and then a maximum was achieved thanks to the conversion from Oscar Thomas, 10-0.
Bulldogs had not come out for walkies yet but a lifeline was gained just before the break when Dave Scott secured their opening try.

FIRST HALF SNOW TASTING

Something happened at half time, team talk from Matt Diskin must have worked wonders because by 58 minute Batley led 22-10.  It started on 50 minutes Dave Manning, then Pat Walker and finally Wayne Rettie  all securing four points with Walker taking each to a maximum.  Wow how this game had changed and even though Ryan Millar touched down for Sheffield there was no denying the visitors when two minutes from time Tom Hemmingway allowed Walker to get his fourth conversion to secure a 28-14 victory for the Bulldogs something which at half time had looked far from a viable option.

EAGLES IN POSSESSION WITH RYAN MILLER

From a neutral point of view Sheffield would be disappointed with this result after a superb first half but it was the proverbial game of two halves as Batley threatened to run away with it in the second period.
A gentle meander back to the tram stop and with a fine connection I was back at base station just 50 minutes later from a very enjoyable afternoon and this seasons first trip to the rugby.  The most important question is will I be back I hope so, hopefully on a finer afternoon away from todays constant drizzle, but make no mistake this is a remarkable achievement for the club and hopefully now they can push on with their on field progression too.