Stifled Malton leave with 2 points.
RF
We couldn’t have wished for a better day visiting Old Brodleians on the hill at Hipperholme, icicles formed on my beard last time I played there. Our team with six unavailability’s from the win over Dronfield included debuts for Harry Skaife and Archie Armitage stepping up from the twos, plenty of positional changes in the backs only our nine and twelve retaining their place.
Winning the toss Brods opted to attack the slope first and with the ball in hand made in roads but some stout early defence from a combined back row of skipper Sam Triffitt, Tom Barker and Jamie Rounthwaite were able to get over the ball and steal on occasion. The first fifteen minutes were cagey but from a clearing kick we were able to turn the ball where Harry Coulson and Nick Salisbury sent it through the hands to a waiting Rounthwaite who was able to dot it down under immense pressure in the bottom corner. Paul Angus on kicking duties struck a massive one but it just sailed wide. 0 – 5
The 20th minute after a bout of regular hard running from the Brods lads Liam Vaughan was able to knick it and pass to a retreating Dylan Jones, who was starting his first game a ten. He sent it high & long down field to a full back under pressure, a great backs counter ruck allowed Ed Lockwood to canter down he blind to score in the corner. Again Paul struck it well but off target again 0 – 10
This gave Brods a rally and with 3 minutes of more battering runs up the middle they won a penalty and slotted it to make it 3 – 10
A kicking battle then ensued for a few phases until we created space allowing Jacob Stephenson to break the line while their full back was up, he was chased all the way from our ten metre line before he dotted down under the sticks. Paul skewed the conversion to the right 3 – 15.
With 14 minutes to half time Brods slowed the game down looking to limit their time attacking the hill, kicking to corners looking to drive. A tactic we very nearly kept out until the final play of the half when a catch and drive was shipped to the hard running twelve to go under the post from five meters out. 10 – 15 HT.
After quite a slow start to the second half both teams looked for a score and it was Brods who pounced first a bullocking run up the middle produced an overlap into the bottom corner conversation missed. 15 – 15
We lost Dylan Jones to a yellow card for slowing the ball down in front of the sticks resulting a 3 point penalty. 18 -15
Losing him to the bin ment we lost some structure and despite good forward ball from Will Bell & Fothergill we couldn’t quite keep the the door shut until Jones returned, coughing up possession from a clearing kick on our twenty two metre line, before we knew it Brods rallied and touched down following a series of pick a go’s. 25 – 15
The re-introduction of Jones and veteran Stu Collins coupled with some tired legs gave Brods plenty to think about, we started to chase the game in an effort to keep the ball alive we made great inroads going past the game line regularly a nice sweeping move finished off by Rob Featherstone hitting it up from a metre out. 25 – 22 with six minutes to go, grandstand or what.
A long kick deep into our 22 was sent by the Brods ten our ambition to get a platform cost us after being judged of going off our feet 30 metres out right in front allowing Brods to slot the pen to extend their lead to 28 – 22.
The last 4 minutes were frantic both teams winning a penalty, unfortunately we coughed a line out up ten metres out from their line the ball was returned and some down the hill, Stevo was caught without support in our 22, Penalty missed by Brods 28 -22.
After the ref indicated the drop out would be the last play, Paul sent it short looking to regather but it wasn’t to be and the Brods Fly half sent the ball to Cleckheaton to win the game.
Two points when it really could have been five, well played Old Brods managing their home advantage to a tee. We still occupy 2nd place and next week visit Moortown who sit top 7 from 7. Another good week working on what is needed should put us in a good place.
Team
- Ali Fothergill, 14. Jacob Stephenson (1 try), 13. Ed Lockwood (1 try), 12. Harry Coulson, 11. Will Bell, 10. Dylan Jones, 9. Paul Angus (1 Con), 1. Liam Vaughan, 2. Nick Salisbury, 3. Rob Featherstone (1 Try), 4. Will Dunn, 5. Harry Skaife, 6. Jamie Rounthwaite (1 Try), 7. Tom Barker, 8. Sam Triffitt ©
Subs (all used) 16. Archie Armitage, 17. Byron Marshall, 18. Stu Collins
