Unfortunately for the hosts it wasn’t enough to guarantee them an automatic promotion place, but after this display they must be favourites to beat Kirkby Lonsdale in the North One play-offs next week.
We will have to content ourselves with looking to end the season with silverware when we face either Horden or Westoe in the Durham Senior Cup Final.
The opening half hour at Abbeydale was evenly matched with Sheffield going into a 12-7 lead with tries from prop Kevin Marples in the first minute. Then fly half James Pearson made the most of a poor clearance kick to run in from 25 metres.
Our reply came from Ross Wood. He latched onto a loose ball from a line-out to go over from 10 metres with Zac Southern adding an excellent conversion from the touchline.
However, the game changed on the half hour with skipper Danny Boatman yellow carded for a late tackle on Pearson in front of the posts.
The penalty was converted and Sheffield added 14 more points while Boatman was in the bin. The first coming from No 8 John France and the second from second row Ryan Seabright.
We turned round 29-7 down and could have reduced the arrears from the restart only for Ross Wood to knock on with the line at his mercy.
This week we struggled at the line-out but more than held ourt own in the scrums, and the game was once again evenly fought until the 62 minute when centre Ben Parker thrust a gap. His score was quickly followed by a try from full back Andy Hodgson.
That looked like it might be the end of things.. However, salt was rubbed in our wounds in the final minute with two quick fire tries from Sheffield through winger Rupert Broadley and replacement Ben Whitney.
A return to the fighting displays at Wheatley Hills and Bradford and Bingley is needed for the Cup Final.,
Sheffield: Andy Hodgson, Rupert Broadley, Joe McHale, Ben Parker, Ali Womack, Jimmy Pearson, Josh Bird, Tommy Marples, Sam Whitworth, Tony Stringwell, Ryan Seabright, Dom Parsons, Alex Fawdry, Dave Bradford, Jonny France.
Reps (all used): Ben Whitney, Tom Womack, Dan Bearman.
Tries: Marples, Pearson, France, Seabright, Parker, Hodgson, Broadley, Whitney.
Pens: Hodgson (1)
Cons: Hodgson (4)
West: Zac Southern, Scott Butcher, Greg Edwards, Peter Youll, Kyle Jamieson, St Waites, Ryan Painter, Ross Wood, Andrew Rollins, Jack Angus, Owen Bennett, Michael Hogan, Chris Atkinson, Dan Boatman, Sam Miller.
Reps (all used): Luke Mallinson, Luke Chapman, Alex Barker.
Tries: Wood.
Cons: Southern
Yellow: Boatman.