Due to a mixture of unavailability’s for varying reasons ‘Brods took a strong looking team to face Hull Ionians. Enquiries beforehand, Nick O’Connor contacting old adversaries Carl Mortimer and Richard Hill, now Ionians players, established they had a strong second team including a South African hooker flown in only this week but unable to be registered in time for the first team. They also had a full compliment of 6 substitutes highlighting their own strength in depth.

Indeed Hull opened the scoring however this was the only time they were to be in the ascendancy, despite the efforts of their strong running centre and lively scrum half, the Old Brodleians side being generally too strong in all facets of play.

However Brods were slow out of the blocks and defence most unlike the normal Brodleians side leaked that first try. Then the set piece began to function, the platform was laid for a snappy back line to excel in slippery conditions. Following the early set back pressure brought a penalty that Aaron Fowler failed to convert, however it proved to be a good marker as he went on to kick all 6 conversions.

Christus Ferneyhough stood out at centre as he constantly escaped the clutches of the opposition, running amok in midfield, Andy Clay proving to be a more than able partner. Halfbacks Dale Gardiner and Doc Holbrough took a while to gel but once into their rhythm their probing was of its usual excellence. The forwards were dominant with possession, Danny Vento excelling in the open side role. Oliver Hawkins, despite a couple of missed opportunities with ball in hand showed why he has played at a higher level. The propping quartet of Donlan, Skinner, Parkin and McLaughlin forced pressure on the home scrum time after time allowing Luke Scrimshaw plenty of space to gain his usual glut of yardage.

15 minutes in and a double strike from the visitors through Adam Standeven and Andy Clay put them in front. For the first it was Ferneyhough’s midfield break that fed the speedy Standeven on an arcing run for the try line. A sublime sleight of hand from Doc Holbrough allowed Andy Clay to go in un-molested under the posts for the second. The final try of the half went to Danny Vento who barged over at the side of the posts following a concerted effort led by Akroyd and Willis. The half finished on the visitors try line as the hosts made a last gasp attempt to come closer before half time, however the spirit showed as the defence stood firm and with it the half time whistle effectively signalled that there was no way through for Hull.

Substitutions ensued at half time, Donlan and Parkin replacing McLaughlin and Andy Skinner, James Womersley came on for Dale Gardiner (Holbrough moving to scrum half) shortly after. The changes failed to halt the OB juggernaut. The scrum was dominant, the lineout efficient and poor kicking was returned with aplomb time after time by an excellent back three of Joe Baker, Aaron Fowler and Adam Standeven. Tries continued at regular intervals. A home 5m scrum was one of many that went against the head, on this occasion Luke Scrimshaw went over. Andy Clay then doubled his tally for the day and indeed season as he benefited from a midfield spill to hack on and for some reason tentatively place the ball down over the try line. The game became a little scrappy as decisions appeared to favour the combative home side but Brods held firm and rarely looked too challenged. The final substitution was made as Stevie Shaw replaced skipper Akroyd, Hawkins moving into the second row where he looks more than comfortable. The best try was saved for the last as Adam Standeven, who had lasted the whole game to date, gathered late on and returned the ball with speed and expression, Joe Baker ran the perfect foil, Standeven fooling defenders as he ghosted past and tip toed down the touch line. By this stage the crowd were on their feet as Standeven inexplicably ventured in field. However from out of a gathering gloom appeared a gleefully charging Steve Shaw rampaging down the paddock to scoop a low pass of his boot laces to plunge over under the sticks. Post match interviewing revealed the earlier glee apparently was due to his early exit from the Woodhead Naked Hurdle stakes!

A successful start to the second team’s increasingly difficult league fixtures and a fairly impressive response to the previous week’s disappointment at Ilkley. Numerous personnel pressed for inclusion in the following weeks league opener, none more so than hooker James Ogden who went about his usual efficient business with vigorous excellence, Danny Vento an enigma whose running lines are an example to all and finally young Christus Ferneyhough whose introduction to senior rugby has not phased him at all and definitely one for the immediate future.