Old Brodleians 2nd XV were back at Woodhead to entertain local rivals Cleckheaton after last week’s win over Scunthorpe. The side was boosted by the return of Scott Parkin, Stevie Shaw and Gareth Taylor in the pack and Chris Hartley in the centre as well as several of the clubs promising youngsters.

Brods began down the slope and were immediately on the attack, Andy Skinner, Dom Cooper and Parkin all taking play deep into the Cleck half. After a series of phases Cleck infringed but DD Martin was wide with a 30m penalty shot. Cleckheaton began to use their big pack to batter into the Brods and despite some solid tackling form the pack they hit the lead after 15 minutes with a superb try. A miss pass in the centre sucked in Hartley and Mallard and Chris Green and Adam Standeven were unable to prevent the try in the corner. The score rocked Brods and they were soon back in the lead. Shaw made a burst through midfield and quick ruck freed Aaron Fowler down the left who chipped the defence for Standeven to kick on and win the race to the line. Martin converted for a 7 – 5 lead.

Brods lineout was working well and after Hartley put Cleck under pressure with a deep kick Brods scored a superb try straight from the training ground. Skinner hit Shaw in the middle of the line who fed scrum half Vine, who had a quality game at scrum half. Quick ball to the backs allowed Hartley to use Mallard as a decoy and a brilliant wide pass hit Standeven in huge hole and the fullback surged to the line from 20m for a sublime score. Martin was wide from the kick but Brods led 12 – 5 after 25 minutes.

Brods then had to withstand 15 minutes of Cleck pressure, Parkin penalised for hands in the ruck followed almost immediately by a spell in the sin bin after a huge hit with no arms upset the ref. Standeven, Green and Skinner all made big hits, Skinners so big that he left the field “dying” with a rib injury. Brods defended well and still held the lead at HT. 12 – 5

Brods made changes, Ashton for Skinner, Briggs for Green, Danny Wood for Hartley and Louis Butler for Fowler, in the 10 minutes after half time that disrupted their rhythm. Cleckheaton dominated possession and Brods defence was put under big pressure. Vine and Wood had to make clearing kicks before Cleckheaton drew level from a close range score from a disrupted scrum. Brods showed tremendous spirit over the remaining 20 minutes, Wood showing some classy touches and Rob Bradley, Lawrie Hamer and Parkin all making some big contributions. Brods had a couple of chances, patiently working their way up field only for a knock on and penalty offence to deny them.

The final whistle brought an end to an entertaining game with terrific commitment from both sides.

Brods;

Taylor
A Skinner (Ashton)
Cooper
Bradley
Simpson
Shaw
Hamer
Parkin

Vine
Martin
Fowler (Butler)
Hartley (J Greenwood)
Mallard (Wood)
Green (Briggs)
Standeven