Brods recover from half-time deficit to defeat rivals Cleck in festive fixture
OLD BRODLEIANS took the honours in the Fred Scott Memorial Trophy clash with Cleckheaton on Boxing Day.
The Brods team was made up of mostly second team players with some talented guest players who had returned home for Christmas.
The early exchanges between both sets of forwards were ferocious and after good work from the Brods pack, the ball was moved wide to the left flank and young full-back Callum Bacon finished in the corner for an early score.
Cleck gained some momentum with scrum dominance and Brods conceded two unconverted tries to go 10-5 behind going into the break.
The Brods began the second half with real vigour, acquiring good yards through Elliott Craven, Brodie and Cole Wilson.
Good field position gave the Woodhead men an attacking platform and an excellent angled run from Zak Ward resulted in a well earned try.
Brods scored again soon after when Brodie Wilson crossed, Zak Thomson converting, and from a five metre scrum, the Brods pack shoved their opponents over their own line for back rower Brodie Wilson to score and make it 22-10.
Another flowing move across the backs, down the left flank, after more good work from the forwards resulted in a touchdown for young winger James Thackray.
The Cleck lads fought back with a third try, only for Perry Wilson to crash through a tiring Cleck defence.
Again the Cleck team responded and bagged a converted consolation try but it was Brods who prevailed 32-22.
■ Old Brodleians welcome bottom side Hullensians on Saturday as the Yorkshire One season reaches the halfway mark.
The Brods coaching team are keen to play having had a frustrating pre-Christmas build-up. Their game at Goole scheduled for December 21 was postponed for the second time.
Originally postponed due to waterlogged pitch in November. this time Goole did not have sufficient front row forwards to fulfil the fixture.
The game will be replayed this month and Goole will have league points deducted.
To add insult to injury, Brods enjoyed a 41-5 victory at Bridlington the week before but the hosts broke the rules relating to front row replacements.
Again, the guilty club have been docked five league points but the league rules dictate that the revised score should be 0-0, which clearly penalises the innocent Hipperholme club in the points difference analysis. At the end of the season such a decision might well affect league positions.
Brods are currently second in the league just two points behind leaders Heath although they do have a game in hand.