On Saturday Brods welcomed near neighbours Morley in a game which potentially could have a significant bearing on the end of season league positions and play off opposition. Morley are well respected foes and are enjoying a good season and prior to kick off were third in the table. A daunting task faced the Brods against opposition who they have not defeated for several years.

Brods kicked off down the Woodhead slope under glorious sunny skies and the pitch was in perfect condition, the only drawback being a bitterly cold wind blowing down field. Josh Kelly’s kick to the visitors’ 22 was knocked directly into touch giving the Brods an early advantage of an attacking line out in an advanced position. From the line-out the ball was passed across the back line probing first one way and then the other, but in short order lively full back Dean Slattery found a gap and crossed for the opening score of the game. The conversion was missed but Brods were ahead 5-0 after only 2 minutes played.

The enterprising Brods continued to press aided by Morley infringements, and after 12 minutes appeared to be over again in the bottom left- hand corner following a scrum near the Morley line. Although the try was initially awarded, Brods linesman, Russ, always scrupulously fair, brought to the ref’s attention that a foot was in touch and the ref disallowed the score. (See Video)
Defences were on top and both sides each were finding each other difficult to break down though Morley were now coming into the game. However, the ball was jackaled by Brods and a high tackle on halfway gave Brods the advantage. Following a kick to the 22 and movement across the backs a further penalty was awarded to Brods in a midfield position and some 30 m out. This time Brods elected to go for goal and with the assistance of a Brods player holding the ball up in the windy conditions, Kelly sweetly converted the kick. The score was now 8-0 after 20 minutes played.

The remainder of the first half was tight with the Brods shading it. Young Curtis Taylor made several eye-catching breaks from line out steals, and prop Jack Smart and lock Alex Dawson were punching holes in the Morley forward defences. Hard working Aussie Luke Browne was in control of the line out imperiously holding the throws directed to the front of the line. Morley were unable to give any sort of platform to their speedy, well drilled backs, and with the aid of the wind Josh Kelly frequently put in huge 50m ‘field gun’ kicks downfield to dishearten The Morley attackers.

On 38 minutes following a long Kelly clearance, impressive centre Dunne made a fine individual break to the Morley 22, where a further penalty was conceded by the profligate visitors. Again the correct decision to go for goal was indicated by Captain Craven and Kelly stroked over the conversion. This brought the score to 11-0 to Brods on Half Time. In the first half the Brods had shown great discipline and tenacity in keeping the visitors scoreless, but at only 11-0 on the scoreboard there was always the question of whether that lead would be sufficient against a team of Morley’s calibre.

The second half commenced with veteran Rob Jennings replacing Cal Hesletine, who had put in a tough shift, and soon afterwards Dom Georgiou replaced Dean Slattery. After several phases of possession, the Brods broke to the visitors’ half and won a scrum. Play was soon returned to Brods territory by the enthusiastic Morley attack and after favourable bounces from kicks the visitors crossed for their first try. Although the kick was missed after 47 minutes Morley were on the scoreboard and within a single try and conversion from the lead at 11-5.

The following period saw Brods under some pressure from Morley’s speedy backs but solid defence from both forwards and backs kept the threat to a minimum. Dunne was at the centre of both attack and defence, and the impressive Doug Hesletine made good yardage in centre field. Reliable scrum half Hodkinson was keeping the threat to a minimum and the long kick of Kelly cleared on several occasions. On 55 minutes a clever Georgiou kick took play to the Morley 22, and from a home scrum Morley conceded another penalty. Kelly stepped up and converted the penalty maintaining distance between the scores. At 14-5 to Brods after 58 minutes the Brods lead was looking more secure.

The Brods continued to pin back the visitors, but on 65 minutes a long kick to the visitors’ 22 was spectacularly returned by the speedy Morley wing who burst through the line, sprinted to halfway, and then kicked a perfectly weighted punt which looked like a certain try. But young Kemp raced across from the opposite wing to prevent a certain score after a 90-metre chase. Unfortunately, he was deemed to have interfered with the opposing wing on the point of scoring. Morley elected to take a scrum and the ball was quickly spread across the backs where the visiting centre cut in to comfortably cross for a try. The conversion was successful and after 70 minutes with the score on 14 –12 to Brods and Morley on the ascendency it was very much ‘game on’.

But it was clear that this Brods’ team were not for folding and the coaching team had spent time on ensuring they could see the game out from a winning position. In fact, for the remaining 10 minutes, the match was played in the visitors’ territory. Experienced hands like Dawson, who was playing like a man possessed, and Jennings, rolling back the years, kept the Brods on the front foot with Hodkinson probing the Morley defence. After gradually gaining the ascendancy, Hodkinson and Browne made strong half breaks softening up the opposition for Hesletine to almost break through close to the try line. The ball was lost backwards with no offence committed and there was no stopping Harry Dunne who scooped up the ball and drove over for surely the winning try on 80 minutes. Brods 19- Morley 12.

Simultaneously some 30 yards away an off the ball incident of pushing and shoving broke out which seemed to involve several petulant members of the crowd. The game was temporarily halted and the incident dealt with by the excellent referee before resuming with the conversion, which was missed by Kelly.

With little time remaining Morley kicked off once more before after a few phases Kelly kicked the ball out of play to bring this exciting and entertaining game to an end. The game was close and could have gone either way despite Roger Stead and the stand pundits declaring ‘Never in doubt’.

This was a disciplined effort by the Brods who moved up to 3rd in the table, possibly their best ever league position at this level, and which stands them in good stead for a favourable home tie in the upcoming play offs.

Gordon Feather
28 March 26