It was the week before Christmas and the morning after the night before…the faces not too long into the night as the parents enjoyed their respective festive drinkipoos !! Sadly no phots from the ladies Friday fest, and the dads / coaches Saturday excursions into sample the delights that Sowerby had to offer. Safe to say the rugby put up on Sunday by the U15's was more entertaining this year as a few stalwarts where missing!!

The wether beat us last week, we feared it may well be a repeat this Sunday as the frost gripped..games cancelling a plenty we received a welcome call to say we had a hopeful forecasted the rain would surely help...two butties and a cup of Hegians finest Yorkshire tea and we feared the worst... referee rightly not happy to play. After much calling and a visit upto WPL, there very kindly offered us their 2nd team pitch...we where ON!!

The pitch I must say was in excellent condition and bore not even a light crunch underfoot...the lads pleased in that they would get to play and look forward to Santas impending visit!!

The two sides not having played eachother much at all in recent years there was an element of the unknown, both entered the game with a healthy record and looked to exploit the excellent pitch despite the cold.

The contest was even in the early exchanges, both sets of forwards testing the other, Brods slightly stronger around the fringes, Hegians faring better in the scrum and set piece....

Safe to say the crowd would have welcomed a tea / mulled wine… their may have been the odd hip flask on show, perhaps that was wishful thinking … to keep away the cold of course!!....back to the game, Brods early speed to the breakdown resulting in good yards after 4 or 5 phases James Farley broke down the far right to take the first score from 15 yards or so..excellent finish to the Brods strong build up play. Thomas Inman's' excellent conversion from close to the touchline for the extras. Hegians forwards providing a good test and the ruck area offering some great battles. Brods kicking game starting to excerpt some good pressure deep into the Hegians 22..Inman's astute boot and vision exploiting the spaces, Brods back line piling on the pressure. Excellent support play between Benjamin Cliff and James Thackray on the left flank offering too much pace for the stretched defence for another Brods score under the posts…14-0.

Brods scrum being challenged for sure in the early exchanges, getting pushed off the ball, the front rows under early pressure, conceding a penalty. Hegians kicking well onto the Brods 22 , will take the throw. An excellent show of the driving maul punished Brods taking them to their goal line, defending in numbers stopping the opponents excellent driving maul. A gap on the blind as Brods having to commit numbers saw Hegians take a well deserved score and bulled their hard working forwards. 14-5 as the kick falling just short.

The balance of the game was poised for a short period, an injury to the Brods scrum half saw him depart proceedings for HIA, no further part today sadly following an accidental clash with the Hegians second row..Adam Smith entered the fray and was straight into the action at the ruck following the initial line out. Brods backs executing the space well and growing in confidence..some well timed passes really testing the defensive resolve of the Hegians back line..being tested again and again by Finlay Stewart and William Pryce. The excellent George Gillgrass and his ability to return the high ball a real marker in the game. Stewarts pace and excellent lines paying off as he broke the line making it 21-5.

The contest was a good one, the difference was Brods ability to exploit their opportunities. Gillgrass scoring a quick try from the restart, Brods setting up good early ball, although their support play at times being exposed, when they committed they saw a healthy return. Gillgrass joining the line out wide saw Brods have too much pace...excellent try boys. 26 - 5 and Half Time.

The chatter was about basics..good resolve around the defensive line-out, commitment at the breakdown, and keep-up the pressure when they get the ball, maximise your opportunity…Substitutions saw Jude Calvert Green for Jackson Wood, Michael Jones for Joe McDonald and a welcome return for Ben Hodgson after a 12 week absence…welcome back Hodgo!!

Brods knocked on from the restart, spurning good field position to Hegians, a penalty at the scrum saw a kick deep into the 22, we knew what to expect after the early success of the driving maul. Felix Lorrimer and Henry Haldenby shuffling the line-out, timed their drive perfectly to take the momentum away from the attacking team, driving them back a good 5-10 meters, drawing a penalty for holding on, great defence boys. Inman's kick taking Brods to the Hegians 10 meter line Brods chasers putting early pressure on. The resulting line out saw Bros go through 3 quick phases and use the full width of the pitch. Thackray and Stewart working well, creating space. An inman kick over the top and a resulting chase saw Brods turn them over, releasing James Thackray for his second and an impressive score. Pressure and pace from defence to attack showing real nouse and strong team-play to score a great try. 31-5

Hegians deep kick taken by Macauley Thompson was returned well, Brods wrapped around him however spilled the ball offering a scrum to Hegians. Their 8,10,12 offering a really solid partnership all day, strong technically, they looked to create space all afternoon without much fruit for their labours. A strong run saw Hegians get through Brods first line and into the 22, good cover defence from George Gillgrass stopping Hegians in their tracks. Inman's kick to the half way taken by the oppositions second row saw him slightly isolated, Felix Lorrimer making a telltale tackle to drive him 10 meters into touch, much to the delight of his team mates.

William Pryce back into the fray as he came back on for Oliver Chin, a quick shuffle in the backs line.

Henry Haldenby took well of the top, with Adam Smith releasing Felix Lorrimer and James Thackray through a couple of good well structured phases. Hegians turned over and looked to release their backs, however Pryce was up quick and an interception saw the field open up. Excellent cover from Hegians stopping him close to the 22, an excellent offload releasing George Gillgrass for his second of the day, Brods taking it to 38-5

Brods took one final score before the end seeing the final score at 43-5. An excellent days rugby, in cold slippery conditions that saw both teams really try to play. The match was played in great respect with both showing some real talent and a great standard for u15 rugby.

A huge thank you to WPL for accommodating, and to Roundhegians in their desire to get the game played and spirit they showed in always looking to play!

Brods now step into their 5th consecutive Semi Final as they look to defend their trophy. Semi Final date is 14th January, weather permitting!

Scoreres
Tries - Gillgrass 2, Stewart 2, Thackray 2, Farley
Conversions - Inman 4

Not quite Mince pies, Port and Brandy...but there will be ample time in the week or so ahead....A very Happy & Merry Christmas to all.