Sheffield RUFC 18 - 13 Broadstreet RFC

Sheffield RUFC 18 - 13 Broadstreet RFC

Team Selection for Saturday, 14th September 2019

15 Andy Hodgson
14 Nick Marshall
13 Lewis Bowman
12 James Flint
11 Sion Cowdy
10 Will Hodgson
9 Steve Depledge

1 Joe Cooke
2 Angus Hughes
3 Jake Hicklin
4 Dom Parsons
5 Dave Clayden
6 Jason Hignell
7 Tom Womack
8 Sean Casey
Replacements:-
16 Ben Whitney
17 Matt Adcock
18 Kai Ramrattan

After a splendid performance and win away at Bridgnorth last weekend, Sheffield welcome Broadstreet, who I think are the only team to do the double over Sheffield last season. This week we saw the same starting line-up that travelled to Bridgnorth, but with two changes to the bench, with Tommy Marples getting a well-deserved rest and Ben Whitney coming in as front row replacement. Fly-half, Tom Farrell also drops off the bench to get some match time with the second XV at Driffield and with Matt Adcock coming in as back row cover.

This was always going to be a tough match. Encounters between Sheffield and Broadstreet have never be runaway events for either team and this one was never likely to be any different. Sheffield kicked off and were soon on the attack and were awarded a penalty on Broadstreet’s 22-metre and fairly central. Sheffield declined the kick at goal and kicked to the corner on the right. Sheffield secured the ball and set up the driving maul, but unfortunately, the ball was turned over and Broadstreet were able to clear, at least as far as Sheffield’s full-back Andy Hodgson, who set off on a run toward The Broadstreet line, and Sheffield were immediately awarded a second penalty, on this occasion on Broadstreet’s 10-metre. The kick at goal, into the wind, was turned down again and went for the line-out near Broadstreet’s 22-metre. The ball was lost forward and Broadstreet had a scrum and were able to clear to halfway.

Broadstreet then put together a passage of play putting Sheffield under pressure in their 22-metre, and a promising attack came to a halt close to Sheffield’s 5-metre when the ball was thrown forward in an offload. Sheffield had another penalty and were able to clear back up to half way. From the resulting lime out Broadstreet were penalised again, and Sheffield were able to push on up to Broadstreet’s 22-mtere. A further penalty came Sheffield’s way and with 21 minutes gone, Sheffield took the opportunity to take the three points through the boot of fly-half Will Hodgson. However, Broadstreet soon hit back, when Sheffield were penalised for not rolling away and left-wing Dale Glover levelled the scores at 3 points all after 26 minutes. The score remained unchanged until the dying minutes of the half. Sheffield once again had a penalty near halfway and kicked toward the corner. From the line out Sheffield were able to drive forward before releasing to the backs and a smart grubber kick from Andy Hodgson allowed centre, Lewis Bowman to touch down in the corner. The conversion from Will Hodgson went to the left of the posts, but Sheffield led by 8 points to 3. However, there was time to restart the match and Broadstreet benefited immediately with a penalty in front of the posts, which Dale Glover converted again to leave the score at half time at 8 points to 6 in Sheffield favour.

The second half saw Broadstreet on charge, and they were awarded a penalty after just 2 minutes. The kick seemed to be passing between the posts, but hit the post and dropped harmlessly for a touch-down and a 22-metre drop-out. Sheffield came back into it several minutes later and were awarded a penalty when a reckless late tackle on fly-half Will Hodgson. Will converted the kick, and the lead was out to 11 points to 6 after 51 minutes. Sheffield were straight back on the attack from the kick off with a probing kick from scrum half, Steve Depledge and turn over ball, but Broadstreet’s defence held firm. However, Sheffield were again able to breach the Broadstreet defence, once again after some fine kicking to give Sheffield a territorial advantage and possession that saw right wing Nick Marshall go over in the corner on the right. Will Hodgson converted from the touch line and Sheffield led by 18 points to 6 after 67 minutes.

Broadstreet however, were far from done and when Sheffield turned ball over at a lineout on Broadstreet’s 22-metre and then moved it smartly across the pitch from the resulting scrum, Sheffield defence was found to be missing in action as left wing Dale Glover powered down the left wing, and despite the hot pursuit of several Sheffield players was able to touch down to the left of the posts. He converted his own try and Sheffield lead was reduced to 10 points to 13 with less than seven minutes to play, seven very nervous minutes, which concluded with Broadstreet on the attack in Sheffield’s 22-metre and with s driving maul from a lineout, which Sheffield managed to halt and hold up to get a scrum. Depledge to Hodgson, Hodgson to the hockey pitch, game over, a very, very well contested game.

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