Brods 28 - 22 Malton & Norton

Due to an increasing injury list the Brods coaching team put themselves in the front line with both Olly Akroyd and Lee Imiolek naming themselves in the starting 15 to face second in the table Malton and Norton RFC. The North Yorkshire side opened in lively fashion and showed why they were on a run of five consecutive victories with two tries registered in the opening 10 minutes, one on the left and one on the right.

Having taken a 10-0 lead playing down the hill and with a strong supporting breeze a well struck penalty goal struck by Matty Briggs provided some respite for the Woodhead boys. That was short lived however as Brods were on attack deep in Malton territory, they found themselves short of numbers and Malton turned over possession on their own 22 to race the length of the field for a further try. Stretching the lead to 15-0 the relatively simple conversion was missed and could have been a crucial part of the action as the game developed. Brods heads did not drop however, and the pack remained competitive with Alex Rackstraw and Pete Ashton featuring strongly in the exchanges.

Brods lineout was winning its fair share of good ball and their scrum was in the ascendancy. With the clock ticking down to half time the Woodhead boys took the initiative playing the phases patiently, awarded a penalty, a good kick for touch, a lineout cleanly taken was well set, a good drive and the ball was nicely fed ball through the halfbacks to Michael Briggs who beat several defenders on his way to the line from 10 metres out. A conversion by Matty Briggs put Brods back in the game 15-10 at half time

The Hipperholme boys started the second half with good intent and following a period of 10 minutes playing in Malton territory their pressure broke the visitor’s defence. Lee Imiolek’s power sucked in several defenders and when the ball was moved to the left flank Joe Underwood was clear and he took his chance to touch down. Matty briggs stepped up again to convert from the touchline to put the sides level at 15-15 .
Brods continued to work hard in attack and in defence they camped in Malton territory earning a further penalty which the in form Matty Briggs gratefully accepted to give Brods the lead for the first time. The Brods pack was now dominating their opposition and with plenty of possession on the Malton line Elliot Craven capped another great performance with a characteristic try from close range. With yet another successful conversion Brods held a 25-15 lead.

Brods’ all-round performance reflected their growing confidence however Malton were not finished, and they pulled it back to 25-22 when they scored from close range with a try and a conversion.

Brods managed to retained their composure and it was fitting that Matty Briggs would convert a final penalty from long range to give the Woodhead boys a much needed victory. 28-22