Match Preview

Can Wirral Down Flying Tigers?

This weekend's visit of the runaway League leaders will be a stern test for the First Team. Sheffield Tigers have only been beaten once this season, narrowly on their visit to Waterloo; and with ourselves being their closest rivals in the League they will be looking to ensure their second visit to Merseyside doesn't end up in defeat.

Our visit to Dore Moor earlier in the season saw the Wirral team lead for 60 mins only for the Tigers to score late and hold on for a 16-10 victory.

The Yorkshiremen are an outfit that likes to pass the ball around and their excellent back line look to outpace the opposition; with two ex-Rotherham Titans players (Player/coach Peter Swatkins at full back and Jamie Broadley on the wing) both scoring freely this year. Add lightning-quick winger Henri Packard, top try scorer in this his debut season after moving from Matlock, to the mix and it can be seen that the opposition will look to capitalise on any space left open to them. Ex-Otley and Kendal fly-half Mark Ireland complements the back-line with his accurate tactical kicking and his place kicking sees him top the point-scoring table for the team.

Of course, no side can rely solely on their backs and their forwards excellent defence and ability to attack from set pieces was ably demonstrated by their 26-0 win against Cleckheaton last week.

Let us hope that the weather is kind and the game is played. The first home game of 2016 and hopefully our first win against the Tigers would see us maintain the 100% home record this season that our lofty league position has been built upon.

Let's get a big crowd down at the Memorial Ground on Saturday to cheer the boys on!... don't forget it is an earlier than usual kick-off (2.00PM)