On Saturday the Brods faced old rivals Moortown, who were beginning to come into some form after a slow start to the season. Historically Moortown have always been tough competitors for the Brods, spurred on by their vociferous ‘football type’ support, and for this game the Brods were keen to bounce back after a narrow defeat at Scarborough last week.

A good crowd gathered, in good spirits after enjoying the hospitality and music provided by Brods’ ladies, hosting Ladies Day. It was now Brods’ men’s first fifteen’s turn to take the field following an earlier ladies’ game, and they opened proceedings by kicking off down the slope under bright and clear skies, if seasonally chilly.

In the first minutes it was clear that today’s game was not going to be easy, with the visitors, a big and muscular side, driving up field and retaining possession well. The Brods barely had their hands on the ball for the first 8 minutes but were then awarded a penalty on halfway for a high tackle. Fly half Kelly found touch from some 10 metres from the visitors’ line on the left side and from another Moortown infringement at the line elected to take the scrum. Possession and quick hands saw Kelly scamper over for the first try of the game, which was quickly converted, making the score 7-0 after 10 minutes.

Undeterred, Moortown went on the attack and pressed the Brods line for the next period of play. Play was a little scrappy with mistakes being made by both sides but Moortown were looking threatening. Brods were defending well with Millington, Craven and Stapley showing up well and a Craven steal saw the Brods back on the front foot. However, Moortown continued to press and move the ball from left to right but Brods were exceptional in defence. After a stoppage to attend to the visitors’ number one after 20 minutes, two kicks in quick succession from Georgiou and then Kelly put the Brods into the visitors’ 22. Brods were now beginning to threaten and a sniping run by Georgiou came close, and this was followed by the delayed pass routine from Kelly finding classy centre Hesletine choosing the right line to break through and score a spectacular try. The conversion by Kelly after 26 minutes saw the Brods a hard earned 14-0 ahead.
This score seemed to break the visitors resolve and inspire the Brods who were in complete command for the remainder of the half. A break by Craven put the home side in visitors’ territory again and the ball was being distributed freely across the Brods back line. First a long pass almost put Barron clear and in the following play a long pass to the other wing bounced fortuitously for the industrious Stapley to pick up, and, showing a deceptive burst of speed, race over for his second try of the game from 30 metres. Another Kelly conversion took the score to 21-0 after 30 minutes.

From the kick off Kelly kicked high and the marauding Brods forwards scragged the Moortown full back some 30 metres out and regained possession. The ball was then distributed from one side of the field to the other before Stapley once again drove forward putting over the supporting Millington for the bonus point try after 32 minutes. The conversion was missed but at 26-0 the Brods had a handsome lead.

Brods continued to press for the remainder of the half, with the feisty and elusive Dom Georgiou breaking the line on a couple of occasions, but they were unable to add to their lead. However at 26-0 it looked as though the Brods were favourites for victory.
The second half kicked off with an energised Moortown once more pressing but Brods were defending well neutralising the visitors efforts. Changes had been made resting several key Brods players, notably Ashton coming on and Stapley taking a deserved breather. Although the visitors had been camped in the Brods half, aided by an increasingly favourable penalty count, the Brods were defending well. After 52 minutes, however, the dangerous Brods back line broke again with Hesletine making the break and putting away the impressive Dunne to score under the posts, the conversion taking the score to 33-0 to the Brods.

The next 10 minutes saw Moortown continue to press and hold possession. The penalty count was beginning to rise alarmingly, much to the frustration of the home faithful, with some very marginal decisions going the visitors’ way. However, the Brods continued to break up field and look dangerous when in possession, with Georgiou making incisive breaks from defence. But continued infringements kept them in their own half and It was no surprise after 60 minutes that the visitors breached the Brods line with a try from close range in the down hill right hand corner. Conversion missed but 33-5 to the home team.

From the kick off a Moortown knock on saw a Brods’ scrum awarded some 40 metres out from the visitors’ line. A superb break by Dunne, changing direction and running behind the still formed scrum, put speedy Ben Barron away for another try in the left hand corner after 63 minutes. The conversion was missed, but the score at 38-5 after 63 minutes showed Brods superiority. At this point the Brods were full of confidence and the slick passing a pleasure to watch. Following another Kelly positional kick the ball was won by the Brods again and after a few phases Georgiou broke again sending supporting Jimmy Hodgkinson in for a try, the Brods eighth of the game, taking the score to 43-5 after 70 minutes. Game over.
But after scoring this try the Brods once again took their foot off the gas and started making mistakes. Some 10 penalties went against them in the last 10 minutes and it was a complete surprise no one was carded. The visitors scored 3 more tries in the final 10 minutes, earning both a bonus point and bringing the final score to 43-20. This apparent collapse in the final period of the game when the game has been won is something that has been happening far too often this season and no doubt something of a concern to the coaches, who will be seeking to remedy this as quickly as possible.

Otherwise, this was another impressive scalp for the Brods in this outstanding season which keeps them in sights of the league leaders.

Matchday Sponsor: Calder Physio
Man of the Match: Doug Heseltine (Sponsored by Halizona)