YMCA find going tough at a windy Woodhead

HUDDERSFIELD YMCA Under 13 side face Old Brodleians full of confidence after last week’s comprehensive win over Bradford & Bingley, but were beaten 38-14 away from home.

The conditions at Woodhead were atrocious but a late decision was taken that the game could be played despite the driving wind and rain.

The first few minutes very hard going as both teams adjusted to the conditions.

And it was the home team w3ho came out on top first as slick passing helped them get a try was scored near the posts, allowing for an easy goal.

The early setback seemed to rattle YMCA and they were unable to get their composure back allowing the home team to work the ball out wide to get another converted try.

YMCA resolved to make a change to their game plan to ensure that they wouldn’t over-commit men to the ruck – and the new tactic paid off.

From the restart, the YM got up into their opposition faces very quickly and forced an error.

Winning the scrum, a kick was put through for Archie Roberts to chase and the Brods full back kicked the ball dead, resulting in a five metre scrum to YMCA.

Man-of-the-match Elmo Morgan was having a fine game in the scrum as well as in the loose and he won the ball to allow the backs to go on the attack.

The Brods defence held tight, but YMCA were able to string a number of phases together and prop Dan Lloyd picked the ball up and powered his way over for the visitors first try – Luke Earnshaw added the extras.

YMCA had now cut off all of the space for the Brods to attack in and were on the front foot.

Jaden Dayes went on a run deep into the home team’s half and Layton Morris took it on and the ball was worked to full back Roberts to score and Earnshaw again converted.

At half-time YMCA’s captain Elliott Holroyd had to leave the field due to a shoulder injury and this affected the already injury hit squad as they had no substitute to replace him with.

However, in the true spirit of rugby union, the hosts selflessly lent the YM Huddersfield Giants club ambassador Eorl Crabtree has popped down to Lockwood Park to do a coaching session with Huddersfield RUFC’s Under 11 squad a player for the rest of the game to even the sides up.

The second half was a different story unfortunately as YMCA were now playing with the driving rain in their faces and Brods capitalised on this and ran in four unanswered tries.

Their next match against Sheffield will be another testing encounter for the YMCA outfit. OLD Brodleians Under 14 side had a rare home outing as they faced Manchester side Aldwinians and won 24-0 in terrible conditions.

The initial exchanges were equal, but Brods pressure resulted in a scrum 22 metres out and Oliver Chin managed to run in the first try from the set piece.

A well-placed kick down field by Tom Inman, put Brods on the front foot, and it wasn’t long before a second touchdown was smuggled over, this time by Henry Haldenby.

Inman struggled against the windy conditions, hitting the upright with his second attempt to convert.

Brods pinned the Aldwinians in their own half for the second quarter keeping a 10-0 lead at the interval.

In the second half with the benefit of the slope, some good breaks by the visitors saw them reach the Brods 10 metre line forcing them to defend, eventually escaping their own half with a driving run from Joe MacDonald.

Brods made good ground and they were awarded a penalty inside the guests 22, and with a quick tap and go Inman crossed and converted.

Soon after Macauley Thompson touched down from a line-out catch and drive and Inman extended the lead with a great kick using the wind

The last play saw Aldwinians on all out attack but Brods back line held firm. SIX Nations bosses have started a misconduct complaint against France vicecaptain Yoann Maestri following the chaotic conclusion of last weekend’s clash against Wales in Paris.

It follows allegedly critical post-match comments made by Toulouse lock Maestri to the media about match referee Wayne Barnes.

A Six Nations statement said: “Following an investigation, Six Nations Rugby has commenced a misconduct complaint against France vice-captain, Yoann Maestri, following comments made by him to representatives of the media about the referee.”