The sun was shining at Woodhead on Saturday for the visit of Malton and Norton, after what seemed like months of grey skies and miserable wet weather, as the visitors kicked off down the slope. Though bitterly cold, the pitch was passed as fit to play after a sharp overnight frost, much to the relief of the healthy crowd, none more so than match sponsor, Jon Hamer, who was celebrating his 60th birthday in style with a large number of guests.
The visitors were soon into their stride and after a short exchange of kicks efficiently spread the ball across their line to find an overlap on halfway, where their speedy wing raced 50 metres to score a try in the bottom left-hand corner. Conversion missed but 0-5 after 2 minutes played.

From the kick off, the visitors continued to stretch the lacklustre Brods with accurate kicking and direct running and after another 40 metre burst into Brods’ territory penetrated the home defences to score again, this time under the posts. With the extras added and 0-12 on the scoreboard after 5 minutes played the Brods had barely had their hands on the ball.
It was not getting better for the Brods whose tackling was way below par and Malton seemed, at this stage, to be able to break the line at will. Another try soon followed scored at the side of the post and the conversion made it 0-19 after only 10 minutes played. The visitors were rampant and the Brods were looking sheepish and as if the had barely got out of bed.

From the restart, Brods gained possession and full back Slattery broke 30 metres uphill into Malton territory showing signs at last of Brods resistance. The ball was lost and a penalty awarded to Malton but soon play returned to the visitors’ half. A steal at the line out and good driving by Murphy and Taylor put the Brods into the visitors 22 at the scoreboard side, where Jimmy Hodkinson opportunistically took a quick penalty and raced through for a try. At 5-19 the Brods were now on the scoreboard after 17 minutes played. The wags in the stand were now announcing it would be a good game for Brods to win though warning successful kicking may play a part in the result.

From the restart, Brods returned to halfway, but from the line, Malton were off again with accurate passing and penetrative running gaining field position in Brods territory. From a scrum infringement the visitors chose to cool down the apparent Brods’ resurgence and stroked over a fine penalty from 35 metres. Score now 5-22 after 23 minutes played.
The visitors, who had been in total control thus far, continued to play their attacking brand of rugby and from a deft kick and pick up over the Brods’ defence were over for a try again, taking the score to 5-27 with the extras, after 30 whirlwind minutes played. At this stage any league points by the Brods from this game seemed most unlikely and it would be ‘damage limitation ‘for the rest of the game.

The Brods were beginning to settle into the game in the last minutes of the first half and a Kelly kick put them on the front foot in the visitors’ 22. From probing passing in visitors’ territory Josh Kelly dummied his way over for a fine (and rare!) individual try from short range. The conversion was missed but there was still time for dominant Malton to score again. From the kick off Malton launched a sweeping attack and after going through the phases crossed for another try. The successful conversion took the score to a well-deserved 10-34 to the visitors. Shortly afterwards the half time whistle brought an end to the first half. At a scoreline of 10-34 and being ‘out of sorts’ and second best for almost all the first half it now seemed almost ‘mission impossible’ for the Brods to get anything from this game.

Brods commenced the second half now playing down the slope with the pitch cutting up, in a more determined mood, with Dom Georgiou entering the fray at centre. Immediately a long Kelly kick to the Malton 5 metre line gave Brods field position and the onrushing Brods forwards snaffled possession and drove over to score. The conversion was missed but with an early second half try scored and the score at 15-34 the Brods now had renewed belief.
From the ensuing restart, the now dominant Brods spread the ball across the back line where Georgiou delivered a neat kick to send the visiting backs scurrying to retrieve the ball 5 metres from their line. The visitors were now under pressure but somehow salvaged a scrum. But now the strong Brods’ forwards pushed the scrum back to earn a penalty. The Brods chose to scrum down and from which Harry Dunne drove over under the posts almost taking one with him. A successful Kelly conversion brought an ironic cheer from the stand but at a scoreline of 22-34 after only 5 minutes of the second half gone, the dynamic of the game had changed.

Brods continued to attack from the kick off, now favouring an attacking option down the slope. Centre Hesletine was showing up well as was mercurial Kemp, who today was facing an equally fast opposing wing. Brods won another penalty which was despatched by Kelly to the bottom corner, from which the well-rehearsed catch and drive saw the Brods score again through the hard – working Elliott Craven. The conversion was missed but 3 quick second half tries had taken the score to 27-34, within touching distance of the visitors lead, and with almost 30 minutes left to play.
Malton had not given up at this stage by any means and had a sustained period of pressure for the next 10 minutes driving at the Brods’ line. The Brods’ line held firm though stern defence was required. Pressure was intense and the referee had to deal with a scuffle of a handbags confrontation with both sets of forwards involved. He defused the situation well with no player ordered to leave the field. Eventually Cam Wroot, all arms and legs, broke clear for 20 metres and Josh Kelly’s reliable boot cleared the pressure. Malton were soon looking threatening again but an infringement for crossing gave the advantage back to Brods.
It was now Brods turn to attack and there was still work to do to reduce the deficit. Eventually the ball was worked out to our young speedster, Leo Kemp, who had a one to one with his impressive and equally fast wingman today. After a hand off and determined run young Leo managed to wriggle over to score on 72 minutes. At 32-34 it was now down to Josh Kelly to nail the conversion from the touchline in muddy and heavy conditions. Josh managed to select a conversion from the top drawer and scored the extras with perfect execution taking the score to 34 -34.

Despite Brods pressure for the last minutes Malton and Norton held out to earn the draw.
From the neutral’s point of view this was a magnificent game to watch with 11 tries scored (of which Brods scored 6). From the Brods perspective it was frustrating in that poor play, and especially poor tackling in the first half, had left them with almost too much to do. However, after disappointing displays in recent games, today demonstrated that on their day the Brods can beat anybody in the division. No doubt Malton and Norton, who we always respect as tough opponents, will be wondering how they did not win after being 34-10 up at halftime.

Gordon Feather
14 February 2026