Sheffield Eagles v Doncaster
On Sunday 29th January the Sheffield Eagles played Doncaster in the second of their pre-season friendlies to prepare for the 2023 season.
We look back to the time that Sheffield Eagles and Doncaster first played each other.
The first game against each other
Sheffield Eagles and Doncaster RLFC first played against each other on Sunday 30th September 1984 in Sheffield's first ever season. The game was at Doncaster's old ground at Tattersfield, with Doncaster winning 18-10 in front of a crowd of 422.
Try scorers for the Eagles were Gary Hetherington and Vince Farrar with Andy Tyers converting one of the tries.
Extract from Against the Odds
John Cornwell and Richard Pepper's book "Against the Odds" has the following to say about the first ever South Yorkshire derby.
The Dons had gone 20 matches without a win and the Eagles, hungry for some points, were confident of success. South Yorkshire County Council sponsored the match as part of their campaign against abolition. Rival centres, in the number 3 shirts, David Plange of Doncaster and the Eagles' Audley Pennant, made significant contributions. Ten years later they would still be a force within their clubs, but with reversed loyalties.
Ticket
Share your memories
Do you have any memories of games between Sheffield Eagles and Doncaster that you'd like to share. Memorable games? The time that Sheffield have played in Doncaster (both as the home and away team)? What the rivalry means? Were you there? Share them with us HERE.