Eagle 22 Birchfield 17

EAGLE enjoyed a narrow victory over promotion-chasing Birchfield on Saturday.

Stephen Leigh took Eagle to the 10-metre line and carries from Owen Mcinroy and Callum Murphy allowed Bennett to score in the corner.

A difficult bounce caught Jay Rutter short and the Birchfield centre kicked through to touch down, before the full back made amends with a penalty.

Birchfield added a second after a driving maul put Eagle under pressure from a lineout.

Captain Jay Jackson put a penalty in the corner after the break and Eagle won the lineout for impact substitute Ash Losh to touch down.

Eagle again surged forward through several phases and replacement Craig Tourney scored a well-worked try.

Birchfield’s winger chipped over Rutter, who brought him down and kicked the loose ball into touch, but was adjudged to have done so illegally and was shown the yellow card.

Birchfield scored with five minutes remaining, but Eagle held on to secure their first ever victory against the visitors.