Moortown 21 - 27 Brods

By Bruce Turner
Brods produced a superb first 40 minutes of rugby at Far Moss in which they built a winning lead of 24 points however ill discipline in the closing 20 almost allowed last year’s Yorkshire 2 champions back into the game .

Brods performance in that first 40 was as good as any in recent years and had the Woodhead faithful who had travelled in good numbers to Alwoodley purring in delight .Brods looked confidant from the kick off and their dynamic half backs Armitage and Newburn created problems from the off for the defending home side . Brods scored their opening try when Armitage’s break created the space for the supporting Newburn who scored under the posts and Town converted to provide an early lead on 5 minutes .Brods continued to press and with a solid scrum Brods continued to play some enterprising rugby . After some 25 phases which featured great support work throughout the side the Woodhead boys worked a position near the Moortown line . From the resulting line out the pack drove and Matt Raven completed the job with a finely executed try . Town again converted from the touchline to extend the lead on 14 minutes 14-0 . Moortown’s response was positive and Brods had to defend in their 22 for extended periods however the defence was sound throughout and limited the opportunities for the home team .On 30 minutes Brods broke out from their own half with some great team play involving excellent support work .Phil Town was having a great game and when he broke down the right he drew two defenders before releasing the ball out of the back door to speedster Ben Barron the right wing who finished in fine style in the corner . Town converted again from the touchline to extend the score to 21-0 . With half time approaching Barron crossed again after further Brods pressure for what would have been a bonus point try however the home touch judge controversially raised his flag and the try was disallowed . As compensation Brods were given a penalty which Town converted from wide out and the half time whistle blew with Brods holding a commanding 24-0 lead
The second half started in similar style with Brods dominating the play and Akroyd taking the game deep into Moortown territory, from a resulting penalty Town again converted and extended the lead with just 5 minutes played to 27-0 .The exchange referee now started to penalise the Brods for various offences and George Ashton followed Danny Cole’s earlier sin binning with another yellow card for a succession of team offences . Brods battled on however the penalties continued and when Daryl Gaunt stripped Brods of possession in midfield his break and try under the posts gave the Moortown boys encouragement . A further yellow card for Lawrie Hamer meant that Brods were down to 13 men and the visitors were truly stretched to the limit . A scrum near the Brods line gave the Bernie Taulealo the platform to drive to the line and his try under the posts provided the momentum shift the home crowd could only have dreamed of following Brods domination of the previous 70 minutes .Brods worked hard to defend however sheer weight of numbers produced the overlap for Moortown to cross again wide on the right , the conversion brought the score back to 27-21 . Brods stuck to their task and with the return to 15 men rediscovered their composure to play out the final minutes and bag a good win on the road and a very satisfactory third win in the league which puts them in a good position with Keighley at home next week.

Updated 19:25 - 1 Sep 2019 by James Ogden