High-flyers made to battle for points

Sheffield………………26 Billingham ………… 13

By MO SHER

National 2 North

HIGH-FLYING Sheffield weren't at their best at Abbeydale, but had enough to ease past a visiting side battling to retain their National League status.

Mired in a relegation tussle, Billingham's plight wasn't helped when they were forced into a re-shuffle of their pack just hours before kick-off – but they had plenty of fight in them.

Sam Heron kicked them into an early lead to settle any nerves and even though the Sheffield response was quick – Ryan Burrows being heaved over from close quarters – they dug deep.

Heron added another penalty just before the break, though that was met instantly by a second Sheffield try through Rob Fawdry.

Given their early efforts, energy levels in the Billingham ranks began to sap, the men from the Steel City taking advantage.

Matt Adcock and Will Smith both went over before the hour mark to put the outcome beyond doubt, the victory keeping Sheffield in the ‘best of the rest' position in National Two North, behind runaway pair Leeds Tykes and Rotherham Titans.

Billingham did have the final word, Ryan Foreman racing over late on to make the trip back up the A1 more palatable.