The seconds met with a strong squad, a good blend of youth and experience, some welcome Christmas visitors, pace and pork in abundance and a support team up to the challenge of a quick shirt change.
‘Yorkshire under 20s’ ‘Strong runner’ ’Undefeated’ ’Great hair’ was just some of pre-match chatter at woodhead but it turned out the seconds had a new physio.
The game started with the first of several shrill whistles to be heard that day and the Brods were soon on top, the engine room of Womersley and Willis dominating the lineout and making the hard yards down the slope, possibly the best looking front row the Brods have ever had bossing the scrums and probably the highest combined IQ in a back row to be seen at stadium woodhead meant previously undefeated Doncaster amateurs were in for a torrid afternoon.
Strong running from Private Nalton, Foulds and never say never scrum half Melia set up back from injury Matt Willis for the first try from close range. A sublime kick off return from live wire George ‘Zippy’ Ashton resulted in the Brods been straight back on the attack. DD Martin had to leave the field of play on 10 minutes but luckily Santa had given Rammy the afternoon off so he could play.
Na Scott ghosted under the sticks untouched for the second with his own tribute to the village people celebration, and when he added another on 20 minutes all looked rosy for the Brods. Doncaster fought back strongly but a couple of steals from Taylor and the constant battering in the tackle from Fee and the worst dressed man in rugby Laurie ‘hammer’ Hamer resulted in them only been able to convert a penalty before half time. Half time score Brods 17 Doncaster 3.
Shed came on at half time to stem the flow of penalties the Brods were conceding and a quick chat about smart rugby, not forcing it and been nice to the ref was mentioned but not listened to.
Carlos now playing stand off was finding gaps for worldie wooer Scott to scythe through at will, outside backs Sharples, Turner and Ramsden were returning the kicks with interest but it was debutant Peter Walker who was catching the eye showing great pace first on the wing and then at outside centre and solid defence making it impossible for Doncaster to get the foothold in the Brods half they thought the slope would bring them.
An injury to Carlos promoted Nathan Scott to a Stuart Barns role and with 20 minutes to go an interception on the half way line and a run up the tramolator completed his hat-trick in style making a nice change from his usual jug avoidance.
With both goal kickers off the field Froggy decided we should have a punt at the posts and in a psychological master stroke we let Shed take it. Conversion missed but opposition demoralised.
Doncaster did score before the end but the result never looked in doubt and one final big hit from Hamer and Turner turned the ball over and sealed the victory 28 – 10.
Another great team performance which with a little fine tuning could see this squad going places.
Best for the Brods were Private Nalton and not so private Scott. Laurie Hamer and Peter Walker shared the man of the match award. A quick sing song and a swig of snakers before an early night after ironing the Crimbo jumper was in order for Sundays do. Keep it up boys.