Victoria swoop on Hawks to seal emphatic victory

It was Birstall’s first win in five games against a depleted Sheffield side as 11 Vic players got on the scoresheet in a dominant display.

The rout began after just five minutes as centre Ryan Ginnelly crossed, followed by a length of the field effort from full-back Sam Thornton.

An error under a high ball allowed Sheffield to reply but the Vic then hit top gear and tries followed from loose forward Braden Hunter, prop Richard Duffy, second row Chris Mortimer, centre Ashley Tomlinson and substitute second row Josh Speight, with the first half scoring completed by second row John Stainburn as Birstall raced into a 46-6 advantage.

Birstall started slowly in the second half and it was Sheffield who scored five minutes after the re-start.

Sheffield grew in confidence and the visitors worked hard for a time to defend their line before the floodgates opened again.

Captain Matthew Smith’s 65th minute try began another scoring spree for the Vic, as second length of the field effort followed by full-back Thornton soon after.

Scrum half Ryan Jackson and substitute prop Lee Birkett scored while a second of the day for Tomlinson added to the tally, with Hunter (six), Matthew Gowland (four) and hooker Brendan Sheridan landing conversions.

Birstall Victoria will look to build on their emphatic win when they entertain Oulton Raiders on Saturday (kick off 2.30pm).