Sheffield Tigers 21-13 Newport(Salop) Sheffield Tigers roared to victory against Newport (Salop) in the Quarter finals of the RFU EDF Energy Intermediate Cup in a convincing display at Dore Moor.
The match ended in a 21-13 score line with Centre Charlie Spon-Smith capping an excellent 80 minutes with four conversions to help the Tigers book a place in the Semi-finals of the competition.
Newport started the stronger of the two sides and within the first five minutes they pushed the Tigers back into their own 22. Possession then changed and Tigers were on the attack, Spon-Smith found fellow centre Tom Bray who sprinted 40 metres to the corner before being illegally high tackled. A penalty try was then awarded which Spon-smith swiftly converted to give Tigers a 7-0 lead.
On 15 minutes Spon-Smith struck again for the Tigers as he converted a penalty to stretch the lead to 10-0, with Newport being penalised for entering the ruck from the side.
Newport began to get back into the game and played some high tempo rugby which was rewarded when Matthew Curvengen brought the ball over the try line whilst holding off three players. This was followed by Jamie Simpson’s Conversion to make the score 10-7.
Newport drew even after 30 minutes of play when Tigers were penalised for infringement, causing another Conversion to be slotted away for Newport by James Curgenven from 40 metres out. In a match full of penalties another was awarded 10 minutes later for Newport at the stroke of half-time, this was converted by Jamie Simpson ensuring a 13-10 lead.
Sheffield Tigers came out after half time full of confidence and dominated from the start with slow, powerful rugby which lead to a number of penalties being given in their favour. Spon-Smith levelled the scores from a penalty and he also converted another penalty on 53 minutes, allowing the Tigers to regain the lead at 16-13.
Newport kept pressing the Tigers in the hope of getting back into the game but on the 67th minute Tigers Captain Richard Joel sealed the match with a try from a metre out to ensure Tigers a 21-13 victory and a place in the Semi-Finals.
Sheffield Tigers will travel to Clifton in the semi-finals on the 21st March, with a place in the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup Final at stake.
By Sean O'Malley
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