Sheridan dictates as Birstall make winning start

Brendan Sheridan had a terrific game as Birstall Victoria earned a 46-22 victory over Siddal in their opening Yorkshire Men’s League Division One game.
By Andrew Hunt
Published 17th Apr 2015, 07:38 BST
Birstall Vics Brendan Sheridan runs at the heart of the Siddal defence.Birstall Vics Brendan Sheridan runs at the heart of the Siddal defence.
Birstall Vics Brendan Sheridan runs at the heart of the Siddal defence.

ic had seven players making their debuts and twice went close through full-back Sam Thornton and centre Ashley Tomlinson.

Scrum-half Sheridan started to control the game and put second row Dave Dyson through to score Birstall’s first try.

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Excellent kick return play from wingers Kyle Hardaker and Ryan Benson, and strong running from Richard Duffy, captain Matthew Smith and the Ginnelly brothers Ryan and Matthew, put Birstall on the front foot.

With Sheridan pulling the strings, tries followed from loose forward Matthew Gowland, substitute prop Andy Stillwell and stand-off Braden Hunter, with Gowland adding three goals to put the Vic 22-0 up at half-time.

Siddal scored five minutes into the second half and when tempers boiled over Birstall’s Craig Jessey was sin-binned and a Siddal prop was shown a straight red card.

Sheridan produced a superb over the shoulder pass to send captain Smith between the posts.

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Sheridan got on the score sheet himself when Jonathan Stainburn jumped above the full-back to palm Hunter’s kick back for him to cross.

Vic debutant Ryan Benson scored and man of the match Sheridan added his second of the game to complete the win.

Victoria travel to Oulton Raiders on Saturday (2.30pm) and next Wednesday they entertain Thornhill in the Jim Brown Cup (6.30pm).