Brodleians v Rishworthians

Reds bounce back after defeat in first game

A hastily re-arranged fixture saw the Reds travel to a very chilly Woodhead Park to play local rivals Old Brods.

Game 1 Brodleians 31 - 0 Rishworthian Reds
After winning the toss and deciding to play down the slope it was hoped that the Reds could build up a decent first half lead. But, as we know, things never quite go to plan.

The Reds began the match in good spirits and some hard straight running put the Brods under early pressure. The Brods did weather the onslaught and from a phase of poor tackling they took an early lead. For a short period after, the Reds could not maintain possession, with the ball being lost in the rucks and then losing their own scrum. The Brods have small quick backs who caused the Reds to put in some strong hard tackles. Jack Davis was running good straight lines in an attempt to barge his way through but the Brods defence held strong. Scrum half Will McDonnell jinked his way passed a couple of defenders before offloading in the tackle to Thomas Sweeten who made his way to the try line where, with the help of the forwards, he was pushed over the line, but Brods managed to get players under the ball and denied the try.

The Brods youngsters were more committed to the breakdown and won ball off the Reds time and again making there way to within 5 metres of the try line. Fortunately the Reds stole the ball in the ruck and a massive clearance kick from fly half Jacob Bower took play in to the Brods 15 where Bower and Sam Bake chased the ball down, made a good tackle and kept play close to the Brods line. For the remainder of the half the Reds had most of the possession but failed to capitalise so the score at half time was 5-0 to the Brods.

Half time Brodleians 5 - 0 Rishworthian Reds

In the second half Brods took the game by the scruff of the neck and they took full advantage of the slope. They would have scored within a minute but for a big tackle by Nathan Cooper on their speedy winger. But the score did inevitably come. After being camped on the Reds try line the Brods managed to dive over from close range. The home team were dominating possession and they made it count by scoring another three tries aided by some poor tackling from some members of the Reds team. Even an embarrassing "motivational rant" from yours truly (which I immediately regretted) failed to inspire a response and the Brods ran out easy winners at 31-0.

Game 2 Brodleians 14 - 42 Rishworthian Reds
After a short break The Reds then played another game with the Brods changing a couple of their personnel with lads coming in from the development squad.

The Reds got off to a cracking start in the second game. Playing up the slope Will McDonnell tested the defence with a 40 metre dash down the wing only to be bundled in to touch 5 metres out. From the ensuing line out the Reds stole the ball and in a mass of players Jonny Wheatcroft managed to put the ball down to open the scoring. Jacob Bower made the conversion. But joy was short lived as the Brods youngsters replied with a converted try of their own. Jamie Smith increased the lead for the Reds when he went over from a 5 metre penalty and Bower converted. Rishies at last had found confidence and began to play as we know they can. Another searching jinking run from scrum half McDonnell made ground before offloading to Thomas Cockroft who continued the run before being tackled. The Reds pack was now working well and from an excellent scrum on half way Jack Davis bounced his way from tackler to tackler taking play up to the Brods 10 metres where McDonnell picked up from the base of the ruck, dived for the line, and managed to stretch his arm over the line and ground the ball. Bower converted to make the score 21-7 at half time.

Half time Brodleians 7 - 21 Rishworthian Reds

The second half started in the same tempo as the first with the Reds on the front foot forcing the home team back with some penetrating runs from Thomas Sweeten, Sam Bake in the backs and George Radcliffe and Thomas Cockroft in the forwards. Another typical forceful run by Davis from half way was rewarded this time when he managed to shrug of the Brods tacklers to cross the whitewash. Bower converted. From the Brods kick off McDonnell took the high ball in his own 15 and returned the ball the full length of the pitch, evading tacklers on the way, to increase the Reds lead to 33-7. Bower converted. Another new player to the Reds team making his debut, Oliver Marshall, showed that he has safe hands under the high ball and was not afraid to make a tackle. A lapse in concentration allowed Brods to score and convert another try but Rishies roared back. From a ruck on the right touch the ball was spun out through excellent hands to Marshall on the left wing who was denied a try when he was brought down just short of the line with an excellent cover tackle from the Brods. With the game drawing to a close the Reds found themselves again close to the Brods line and after another huge effort in the scrum the ball was popped to Sam Bake who weaved his way through the defence for a try. Bower converted again and the game finished with the final score 42-14 to the Reds.

Tries: Will McDonnell (2), Jonny Wheatcroft, Jamie Smith, Jack Davis, Sam Bake. Cons: Jacob Bower (6)

Man of the Match: Will McDonnell
Effort award: Thomas Cockroft
Tackle award: Toby Gledhill

Two games with two different outcomes. After the poor display in the second half of game 1 it was good to see the guys pick themselves up and take control of the second game and win convincingly. I was also impressed with the quality of the kicks from Jacob, Nathan and Will which cleared lines, gained territory and put the Brods defence under pressure from the runners Sam and Sweets who chased well.

Next game is the Yorkshire Cup away to West Park Leeds. If the head and the heart are both in the right place we should overturn the defeat in the Landrover Challenge.