This weeks 'archive' report is from a recent Vet's match against the Old Brodlians. Thanks to the Old Brods website (www.oldbrods.co.uk) for the match report and in particular John Ketteringham, himself, a former West Park player.

First published on 9th October 2004

West Park Bramhope Vets 51 - Old Brods Vets 0

The vets set out to Bramhope with probably the best side they can muster. Mark Oldroyd returned after injury and Alan Bowers made his debut. Also turning out to gain match fitness after injury was Siddal RL player Chris Hillam. Little did the centre think that when he got to Leeds he'd be facing 1997 RL Man of Steel James Lowes. The Bradford Bulls assistant coach, just two days short of his 34th birthday, shone as a hooker in Rugby League but at this level ran the game from midfield. West Park fielded a useful team with some big forwards. The front row was probably the only area of the game that Brods had parity.

John Ketteringham, a player for West Park Bramhope from 1976-79, stood in at hooker allowing Peter Bulgacs to make his seasonal debut at prop. The other prop John Taylor won his own personal scrum battle, lifting his opposite number high into the air at one scrum. The rather officious society referee consigned Taylor to ten minutes in the sin bin for his efforts.

Looking at the scoreline you might assume that Brods laid down and rolled over, but no, they defended well against a younger veterans side. Chris Hoesli tried manfully in the lineout but Brods were living on scraps. It was Lowes who set up the first try, Brods winger and big Bulls fan Nigel Wormald brought Jimmy's sidestepping run to a halt but the ball went out and the Bramhope winger crossed in the corner.

Ian Armitage and Hillam broke free but the defending sides more mobile pack were always first to the breakdown. Another Lowes break dragged in four defenders and brought another score. Brods scrum half Nick Miller and winger Mick Speak put in some big hits against a wave of attacks but the homeside extended their lead close to half time. In the second half Brods had their best spell with flanker Chris McLean putting in a big tackling stint and winger Dai Larner almost bursting through. With the visitors tiring Lowes added a try of his own with a trademark jinking run from twenty yards. He also converted this and several other tries. Brods had one last foray into enemy territory when hooker Ketteringham intercepted a ball in the centres thirty yards out with just Lowes to beat. Suffice to say he did well to get the ball back on his own side. In the last ten minutes West Park ran in several long distance tries, Oldroyd tackling well to stop Lowes scoring again.