The Sheffield ace has moved from the back row to hooker this season and the signs are very encouraging for both player and team alike.

Balshaw turned in a Man of the Match performance at Skipton although, unfortunately, even his all-round ability couldn't bring about a perfect ending as Sheffield dipped to a 33-20 defeat.

"Martin's move has proved to be very successful," said skipper Ryan Amos. "He had an excellent game; his line-out play was first class and he made a number of telling breaks."

Sheffield had started slowly against their Yorkshire One rivals and paid the price as they conceded two penalties and a try in the opening 10 minutes.

Thankfully they upped their game and were rewarded with a couple of first half tries from Andy Kelly - an excellent team effort inspired by Amos' break - and Jamie Broadley. Both of them were converted by the ever reliable Donal Collins.

Two second half penalties from Collins, one from inside his own half, kept Sheffield within one score of victory until the closing minutes when they gave away two penalty chances, one of which resulted in a last-gasp converted try.

"They're a strong team and will be up there at the end of the season but it was encouraging how we got ourselves back into the game and in the end we were a little unfortunate not to have taken something from it," added Amos.

Sheffield are currently fifth, with two wins out of three, while third-placed Skipton are one of three teams with a 100 per cent record, the others being Bradford Salem and Old Brodleians.

The Abbeydale club welcome York tomorrow (3.00pm start) who finally got their campaign off the ground with a thumping 52-7 home victory over bottom club Malton and Norton last Saturday.



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