Historically in recent seasons the Brods have seldom faced Sandal despite being relatively near neighbours. Therefore, there is little past form to predict a result though Sandal have comfortably held their place in the league above for many years. However, Sandal have always been respected as a senior club and the opportunity for the Brods to test themselves against higher status opposition was a mouthwatering prospect.

Although the Brods had several late withdrawals a strong side was put out including a couple of good young debutants from the juniors.

After being entertained hospitably by the Sandal hosts the teams assembled under perfect conditions and unseasonably warm conditions (at least at kick off) with the Brods commencing proceedings kicking off uphill. The Brods immediately expressed their intentions of playing open rugby and drove hard and passed well to make inroads into Sandal territory. After only 2 minutes young Brods back rower Curtis Taylor sustained what appeared to be a serious back injury but play continued with Sandal relieving pressure with a kick which was fielded by the Brods who returned the pressure. After a Sandal infringement holding the ball, a neat kick by Kelly put the Brods into the home 22 where a short Craven break and off load by Dunne saw Hesletine streak through at speed for the first try of the game. Conversion successful by Kelly 0 -7 after 7 minutes played. This continued as young Curtis was laying prone waiting for medical attention, which was soon received and the young back rower was able to continue.

Brods were making few mistakes at this stage and not afraid to give the ball some air across the back line and it was no surprise that Dunne broke the Sandal line and put Hodkinson over for try number 2. Converted by Kelly this gave Brods a 0-14 lead after 12 minutes played. Brods were playing with great aplomb and forwards Dawson and Murphy were setting things up well for the back line. Inevitably after 20 minutes though Sandal were getting back in the game and from a poor return from a Sandal kick the home side had field position some 40 metres out and their speedy and elusive backs broke the Brods line to score in the right hand corner. An excellent conversion from the touchline brought the scores 7 – 14 after 22 minutes. This served as reminder that the Brods were playing against a higher level and well coached team.

Almost immediately following the kick off, from a Brods free kick Kelly took play to the Sandal 22 and from the line out the Brods enacted the old catch and drive routine and drove Sandal back to their line, where from the maul break down Murphy picked up and drove over from close range. The Kelly conversion took the score to 7 – 21 to Brods after 25 minutes.

The next period of play saw long kicks exchanged by both sides with Kelly having the better of things. Dom Georgiou entered the fray at this stage and a sweet passing movement along the Brods back line from right to left put Brods speedy wingman, Grierson, clear and race over in the top left corner. Conversion missed but at 7 – 26 after 32 minutes played the score reflected the Brods superiority in the game at this stage.
Sandal, however, were always looking dangerous when in possession, and shortly afterwards a break down the right-hand side saw the home wingman over for a try again in the bottom right-hand corner. Another difficult conversion, successfully executed, brought the score to 14 – 26 to the visitors after 35 minutes. But again, almost immediately, the Brods struck back with another try following a knock on from Sandal, where at the scrum, fast hands saw debutant Sam Thackray speed over and touch down for the visitors’ fifth try, in the manner of which his grandfather, Ted, a Brods wing in the 1960s, would have been proud.
With the conversion missed the half time whistle went, and at 14 – 31 the visitors were well worthy of the half time lead. Brods had made few errors in the first half whereas the home team had coughed up possession on too many occasions which gave the visitors false optimism and made the older members of the visiting supporters a little nervous of what might happen if Sandal cut these out.

Sandal commenced the second half and immediately their intent was obvious. They introduced experience performers who ran strongly and made immediate inroads into the Brods defence. Fly half Kelly was kept busy returning play with long defensive kicks but Sandal were not making mistakes in this half. Brods were holding out and defending well with Wroot, Dunne and Murphy prominent, but the constant wave of Sandal pressure saw a try scored after 48 minutes, which with the extras took the score to 21 -31. This followed a half break by a Sandal centre who managed to release a supporting back to speed through and score an excellent try under the posts.

The following period of play saw mistakes from both sides but the home team appeared to be hungrier for possession than the visitors and coming out the better. Substitutions from the bench gave the visiting forwards respite but the substitutions were largely young and inexperienced players. However Sandal were now in their stride and threatening, but the Brods youngsters were not giving any ground. The Brods appeared to have weathered the storm and regained some field position and on 54 minutes won a scrum on halfway, but a disappointing forward pass immediately gave a scrum and possession back to the visitors.

The now dominant home forwards drove upfield before releasing their fast threequarters once more for another well taken try. The conversion was once again successful and at 28 – 31 with some 20 minutes remaining the initiative was now firmly with the home team.
For the remainder of the game, it was all Sandal but the Brods, forwards and backs alike, tackled manfully to protect their narrow lead. It was all hands to the pump and all the Brods’ substitutes bench were used with several experienced players being forced off the field. As the game progressed play was universally in the visitors 22 with the home side pressing for the winning try. With less than 10 minutes of play remaining, Brods conceded a penalty for a high tackle and the reliable Sandal kicker made no mistake levelling the scores at 31 -31.

A tense final period saw both sides have their chances, but play was mainly up in Brods territory. A ‘handbags’ flare up on halfway was dealt with firmly by the referee, who had had an excellent game. Just as it appeared that Brods might hold out a curling kick from halfway into the Brods 22 bounced awkwardly for the Brods full back who was scragged in possession leading to a Sandal scrum some 20 metres out on 76 minutes. From the scrum, the home backs broke through and scored in the top right corner. The touchline conversion was missed but with minutes to go Sandal now had the lead, which they comfortably held on to until the final whistle went a few minutes later, bringing to end this excellent game of rugby.

The spectators had witnessed a magnificent game of two halves with the visitors having seemingly an unassailable lead at half time only for the home team to steal it at the death. The visiting Brods certainly played their part with each side scoring 5 tries and the immaculate touchline conversions from the home kicker proving the difference. The young Brods certainly showed they are able to compete at a higher level and the experience gained in this game will be invaluable.

Gordon Feather