Saturday’s visitors to Woodhead were Scarborough, one of Brods’ most respected rivals, against whom league points have been difficult to secure in recent seasons. This season Scabs have enjoyed a strong start under the tutelage of Ben Foden, former international coach and England player, and the Brods braced themselves for another difficult test. The match also marked the occasion of Brods’ great servant, Rob Jennings, starting his 250th game in the first team.

Following a sumptuous beef lunch and after being entertained funnyman, Austin Knight, the diners made their way out to the field only to find the match had started some 5 minutes early with Brods playing uphill and already camped in Scabs’ territory. Conditions were perfect with sunny skies, little wind and being dry underfoot.

Brods pressed the visitors line with two 5 metre line outs, but the visitors’ defence comfortably held firm. It seemed that Scarborough were finding it difficult to find their rhythm and get going but after 10 minutes a break with slick inter-passing saw the visitors gain a foothold in the Brods 22, where the ball was spilled and Kelly was able to return play to the visitors’ half with a towering kick. However, shortly afterwards the fast and athletic Scabs threequarters broke the line, and impressive teamwork saw them cross the line for the opening try in the bottom right-hand corner after 15 minutes. Conversion missed bringing the score to 0 -5 after 15 minutes played.

From the ensuing Brods’ kick off the ball was caught directly by Ben Barron who sped some 30 metres to the visitors’ line and almost touch down only to drop the ball. Scarborough cleared, taking play into home territory and their impressive visiting backs were now becoming a threat, but the home defence was up to the task and gradually play was returned into the visitors’ half. After 25 minutes played, it seemed Brods had weathered the storm, but a needless penalty gave the initiative back to Scarborough with a free kick some 25 metres from their line. From this position an excellent piece of opportunism saw the Scarborough kicker, spotting the Brods backs were well up field, launch a towering punt into Brods’ territory for the speedy Scarborough winger to race from his own 22, collect the ball and touch down under the posts for a spectacular try. The conversion taking the score to 0 -12 to Scabs after 25 minutes.

Brods were not disheartened, as in the last two matches the team which had taken a 2 try lead early on, eventually lost the game. Brods resumed play with a kick off to the top left-hand side. Elliott Craven, as ever leading by example, made a 20-metre scoot before the ball was released across the three-quarter line to Kemp. A succession of forward drives, with Jennings and Cal Hesletine to the fore, took play mid field, and from a sloppy piece of mis catching and ricochets the ball was taken by Craven, who from close range burst over to score under the posts. Josh Kelly made no mistake with the conversion taking the score to 7 -12 after 33 minutes played.

From the Scabs restart, possession was regained by the visitors, but a Dunne steal and break took play back into the visitors’ half. The ball was kicked on and eventually lost giving the visitors the opportunity to attack once more. Kelly was there to relieve pressure on a couple of occasions and a Barron break caught the eye, but Brods held out until half time. At 7 -12 at the interval the Brods were pleased with the scoreline having played uphill and held the impressive Scarborough backs to just 2 tries.

The second half commenced with Brods kicking off down the slope and immediately putting the visitors under pressure. The Brods forwards had new resolve and energy and were now threatening themselves at this stage. Following this short period of Brods pressure with Scabs now finding it difficult to make inroads, a penalty was conceded to Brods some 40 metres out from the visitors’ line. The Kelly penalty found touch some 5 metres out and once more the well-rehearsed catch and drive routine was enacted. The almost telepathic, throw by Craven and catch by Ryan Harris, gave the Brods a solid platform of possession and the ensuing drive saw young Curtis Taylor touch down for an excellent try. A good conversion from Josh Kelly put the Brods in the lead at 14 – 12 after 47 minutes played.

This Brods try served to motivate the visitors who now pressed up-hill with fresh determination. Brods were now finding it difficult to hold the visiting attacks and enjoy a sustained period of possession. A dangerous looking Scabs’ attack was halted by Harris who came up with the ball and sent the Brods away down the park. On 55 minutes the impressive and exhausted veteran Rob Jennings was replaced after giving his usual 100% to the raucous appreciation of the large and vociferous crowd.

However, at this point it was the visitors in the ascendancy and following being awarded a free kick in the Brods 22 it was no surprise to see them take it quickly from hand, breach the Brods’ defences and score a good try. Surprisingly the conversion was missed but Scabs were now back in the lead at 17 -14 on 57 with minutes played. The pattern of play was now Scarborough sending waves of attacks along their talented and athletic back line punctuated by long relieving kicks from Kelly returning possession to the visitors.

On 62 minutes play was halted and the influential Brods’ fly half, Josh Kelly, had to leave the field with a serious looking shoulder injury. Shortly after this incident, Scarborough were almost in for a try again in the top right-hand corner but were brought back for an earlier infringement. Despite this pressure Scarborough were beginning to make mistakes and the Brods forwards, particularly in the scrum, were gaining ascendancy. Brods unsung front row props of Ashton and Sealey, supported by Craven, were having outstanding games and in complete control in the scrummage, both frequently driving their own scrum downfield with Wroot holding the ball at the tail, and completely driving the visitors off the ball at their scrum. As play continued the disruption caused by increasing mistakes played into Brods hands and the visitors also lost momentum and fluency with late interchanges.

Remarkably the Brods were holding out, though most of the second half was played in Brods territory. Dean Slattery, the Brods’ Irish recruit this season, settled into the number 10 position, vacated by the loss of Kelly as if he had always been a regular, and settled nerves with long kicks. As the game moved into its final minutes Brods were awarded a free kick some 35 metres from the visitors’ line. A fine kick from Slattery put the Brods some 5 metres from the try line with the advantage of the line throw. The catch and drive routine were once more brought into operation. Scabs had no answer for this, and the dominant Brods forwards drove through for what appeared to be the winning try. But there was a final drama in this tense finale to the game. The referee could not award the try as he was unsighted, but an earlier Scabs’ infringement from the previous play gave Brods another opportunity with another penalty given. Slattery put a repeat kick to within 5 metres of the visitors’ line and the catch and drive routine was re-enacted. By this stage the visitors had no answer to the Brods’ drive and the line was breached again and the ball touched down.

This time the try was awarded amid scenes of euphoria in the home camp. To put the icing on the cake, Dean coolly converted the winning try from an eminently miss-able position. The full-time whistle went and the Brods had won a thrilling game of rugby sending the home players and fans into jubilation – correspondingly the visitors were leaving the field disconsolate having contributed so much in the course of the game.

The final score was 21- 17 to the Old Brodleians, who had snatched victory at the last possible moment.

This was another excellent performance against high quality opponents. The Brods’ ‘never say die’ spirit led to another famous scalp in Scarborough and maintained their position as contenders for the league champions title.

Gordon Feather