Win-at-all-costs mentality for Sheffield Eagles

Only the result was of concern to Mark Aston as Sheffield Eagles put distance between themselves and the relegation zone with a 38-16 victory over Rochdale.
Sheffield Eagles' James Bentley. .Pic Steve EllisSheffield Eagles' James Bentley. .Pic Steve Ellis
Sheffield Eagles' James Bentley. .Pic Steve Ellis

Eagles now have a four point cushion over the bottom two after defeating the Hornets for the second time this season.

The win came at a cost as Simon Brown and James Bentley both limped out of the action, but Aston knew the importance of coming away with the points as his side gave their Championship season a boost.

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“We needed to win and it didn’t matter how we did it” Aston said. “We showed some glimpses of some really good stuff but we still just have that little bit of inconsistency. They worked hard last week and we had a few people back which changed the dynamics a little bit. We then lost two during the game but we’re relieved to get the win and we needed it.

“It was a four-pointer for us and I guess there were times, especially after half-time, when some might have been a bit twitchy but I felt comfortable enough. We just had more than them. We are relieved; the most important thing was the result.”

Eagles must now wait on the severity of the injuries to Brown and Bentley, but Aston will be buoyed by knowing that Matty James, Cory Aston and Josh Toole all made a successful return to action.

“Matty Fozard has done 70 plus minutes again, Matty James has done a big stint again.

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“I have to single those two out for massive praise,” Aston added.

“I thought that Shaun Pick gave us a bit more as well. The stop-start end to the game, players dropping down injured, it disrupted the game. I’d hate to see their injury list because it looked like they have lost a couple today.

“It is all hands on deck, as it is for us.

“The win was good, but we have a lot of work to do and another massive game again next weekend against Halifax.”