Broadstreet boss gets a big kick out of amazing fightback
BROADSTREET’S eight-game Midlands Premier unbeaten run looked set to come to an end when, with 10 minutes remaining, they trailed relegation-threatened Doncaster Phoenix 21-8.
Not since November 24, 2018 had Cliffie Hodgson’s side tasted defeat to surge up the table before becoming unstuck at Ivor Preece Field against their third-frombottom opponents.
Tries from Ollie Cregg and Chris Idehen flipped the game on its head for Street to trail by a point before an incredible final passage of play saw the hosts move from 22 to 22 before Hodgson was presented with a penalty kick to win it which he duly dispatched for a 23-21 victory.
“I’ve probably missed from there in my Cov days,” said the player/coach. “It was just to the left of the posts but it was more about what we’d done to get us to that point. The way the we held on to the ball. Chris Idehen came on and made a remarkable impact.
“I was just the one who knocked over the final points.” The victory, combined with Newport’s defeat at Sheffield, saw Hodgson’s side move within four points of second place with six games remaining.
“We didn’t deserve to win the game, but like any good team, we found a way to win and that was the story of the day,” Hodgson added
“We kept our composure and kept calm, right up until the end of the game. “To be able to pull the game out of the bag with 15 minutes to go when we were trailing 21-8 to win the game 23-21 was testament to where we are as a squad and how we have grown from earlier in the season.
“I was massively pleased, I’d like to say it was never in doubt but there were parts of the game where I was really worried.” Following this weekend’s break from action, Street commence
We didn’t deserve to win the game, but like any good team, we found a way to win and that was the story of the day. Cliffie Hodgson
their six-game run in with a trip to face Lichfield. A play-off sealing second spot maybe within touching distance but the South African is focusing on players enjoying themselves, and results taking care of themselves.
He said: “There’s still a lot of rugby to be played. We’re four points off second. I don’t want to look too far ahead. We’ve got a recovery week but then we go away and play Lichfield which will be another set of challenges for the players. I put no pressure on the boys, I’ve tasked the players to go out there and express yourselves, have fun with your mates, they’re a bunch of talented guys, go and play to your abilities and do what we can do.
“Lichfield is the next target then its Luctonians at home which is a grudge match for us, and we’ve got to play the top three teams as well, but that is why we play the game, for these tough games.”