On Saturday the Brods had another tough challenge when they faced Pontefract, relegated from Regional 1 North East last season, but off to a flier this season, unbeaten after two impressive performances.

In recent seasons Ponte have won the majority of the fixtures between these two sides, therefore confidence in the visitors’ ranks was high. Brods, on the other hand, after two bruising wins and table toppers at this early stage, were also high in confidence, despite losing a clutch of regular first teamers after last week’s encounter.

In perfect conditions the home side kicked off playing up the slope with the wind at their backs. Both sides showed attacking intent in the opening minutes with Ponte showing it was going to be a difficult afternoon for the home side. From a period of successive attacks across their threequarters, after 10 minutes the visitors won a scrum some 10m from the Brods line. The powerful visitors’ scrum got the drive on and wheeled the scrum, enabling their number 8 to pick up and throw a basketball pass to a supporting back to score wide out. A fine conversion made it 0-7 to the visitors,

From the kick off the Brods immediately took the game to the visitors and their ‘in form’ forwards stole the ball, Ben Barron made a short break putting the Brods in a strong position before the ball was spread across the three-quarter line and a long pass found James Millington in the right wing position. The big man showed his speed and raced in to the right hand corner, for his first try of the game. Josh Kelly missed the conversion making it 5-7 after 13 minutes. This was the start of a purple patch for the home side. From the kick off fly half Kelly, who was beginning to control play, kicked uphill putting Brods into visitor territory. A series of drives from Ponte saw the ball lost and from the ensuing scrum Josh Kelly put the Brods on the attack again. The ball was moved across the home backs and impressive Harry Dunne broke the Ponte line and drove towards the line finding Millington again to score his second try of the afternoon from close range. Kelly added the extras from a simple conversion. 12-7 to the home side after 19 minutes.

Brods were now in complete control with their forwards making inroads up the slope again, captain Elliott Craven showing up well, and the impressive Brods threequarters were making penetrating moves every time they got the ball. A move up the left side saw the Brods win a line out and rumble over from a rolling maul from some 20m. A fine Kelly conversion from the touchline moved the score to 19-7 to the home side after 24 minutes.

From the kick off Ponte enjoyed a brief spell in the Brods half, but after the visitors conceded a yellow card for obstructing Jimmy Hodkinson taking a quick penalty, the Brods surged up field again. More Ponte spilling the ball saw Kelly once again kick the home side into a strong attacking position. From the line out a strong rolling maul saw Millington score his third try of the afternoon and bonus point try for Brods with a simple conversion by Josh Kelly, taking the score to 26-7 after 30 minutes. More Brods pressure followed and from a penalty Kelly stretched the lead to 29 -7 after 35 minutes. At this stage Roger Stead and the home faithful in the stand were purring with Roger confidently predicting 50 points would be scored - but the second half had not yet started!! The remainder of the first half saw the visitors pressing the Brods line without challenging the score card.

The second half started with Pontefract attacking up the slope with new vigour and Brods scrambling to defend their line. A succession of drives saw the Ponte forwards held up over the line but shortly afterwards the visitors got their threequarters moving and after quick passing move the visitors scored in the right-hand corner. With the conversion missed from wide out the score now 29-12 after 45 minutes. Pontefract were driving and retaining possession well for the next period. Niggle was creeping into the game, which had been up to now played in excellent spirit, with first Millington and then Ryan Harris yellow carded, though Ryan appeared to be unlucky as he was involved in a ‘handbags’ incident in which the Ponte player carded with him seemed the aggressor. The Brods were locked in their own half, much of it in their own 22, for long periods and seemed unable to get possession, giving away frequent penalties. However, the tiring Brods forwards with Wroot, Craven and Goodall prominent, and the solid defensive back line with Barron, Hesletine and Dunne performing heroically, were holding out effectively. However, after 70 minutes the constant pressure and possession of the visitors saw them inevitably score a try from a forward drive. An impressive touchline conversion took the score to 29-19 but with time running out it seemed that the victory was with the home side.

From the resumption and a kick deep into Pontefract territory, the Brods briefly looked as though they might score again following a charge down close to the visitors’ line. However, with a few minutes remaining the Ponte forwards drove up field again and a mixture of good Pontefract kicking and Brods sloppy play, dropping the ball, gave Ponte good attacking position. After the Brods were tirelessly defending their line, and the second half seemingly going on forever, Pontefract drove over the line again to earn both a bonus point try and a defensive bonus point on the last play of the game. Another fine conversion made the final score 29 -26.

The Brods will be well satisfied with taking maximum points from the game, which many thought at half time would be won by Brods by a considerable margin. Pontefract showed they are tough competitors and will reflect on that 20 minute period in the first half when the Brods were unstoppable. This was the archetypal game of two halves.

Man of the match: James Millington (Sponsored by Corvus Electrical Services)

Team Line Up and Player Sponsors:
1. Jack Smart Standeven Flooring
2. Elliot Craven (C) * ETH Fitness
3. Joe Sealey * Bentham Fabrications
4. Alex Murphy Calder Building Services
5. Callum Heseltine Halizona
6. James Millington * Corvus Electrical Services
7. Ryan Harris * Katie Harris Hairdressing
8. Cam Wroot * Clive Harris
9. James Hodkinson * Sarah Taylor Estates
10. Josh Kelly Sarah Taylor
11. Ben Barron * RH Joinery
12. Harry Dunne * Quick Reach
13. Doug Heseltine Halizona
14. Ethan Wroot * RH Joinery
15. George Gillgrass* Old Brods Cycling Club

16. Peter Ashton * Horley Green Accountants
17. Jamel Goodall JTS Painting Services
18. Chris Georgiou * Jason Georgiou

(*Denotes a player who has progressed through Brods Junior Section Pathway.)