Sheffield Ts …22
Sheffield …18
CAPTAIN Ryan Holmes scored the decisive try as Tigers came from behind to beat their local rivals Sheffield RUFC in a thrilling derby at Dore Moor.
The hosts started brightly with full-back Peter Swatkins darting over the whitewash to give them the lead after just seven minutes.
Fly-half Mark Ireland couldn't add the extras but his penalty soon after extended their advantage to eight points.
The visitors rallied, leveling the scores by the half-hour mark thanks to a Fergus Wood try and Andrew Hodgson threepointer.
But the Tigers home fans roared again before the break as Henri Packard forced his way over the whitewash with Ireland this time adding the conversion, 15-8.
Nevertheless, Hodgson narrowed the deficit with a penalty on the brink of half-time before Sheffield took the lead for the first time when replacement Jonathan France dived over.
Hodgson then added the extra two points to give them a slender three-point lead with 13 minutes left to play.
But skipper Holmes led his team to victory by charging through for the winning try after 72 minutes.
Ireland then superbly added the conversion to secure the win in what was a fast-paced, abrasive derby.
