Sat 1 Oct 2022
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Old Brodleians 23 - 23 Dronfield
Two well matched sides contributed fully to an exciting match at Woodhead on Saturday in front of a substantial crowd in glorious conditions.
Brods playing up the hill and against a strong breeze started enthusiastically and moved the ball well to set up good position in Dronfield territory. Brods were pressing in attack however when an ambitious pass was intercepted Dronfield took advantage and kicked deep into Brods territory. Calum Bacon just won the race back to ground the ball and following the drop out the Woodhead boys were penalised for offside. Michael Briggs was sin binned for kicking the ball away and Dronfield kicked the penalty to take the lead after & minutes play.
From the restart the visitors were on the attack again and some slick handling down the right resulted in their right winger crossing in the corner. Following the try Dronfield enjoyed good periods of possession and threatened the Brods defence however the Woodhead boys defended valiantly and forced errors in their attacks. The pressure eventually told when the ball was moved to the left flank and a couple of missed tackles resulted in a second try for the visitors 0-13 after 28 minutes play.
Brods worked hard to get into Dronfield territory earning a penalty which Bacon converted to register a score 3-13. Brods continued with their improved form as they took the game to the visitors and Matty Briggs was breaking clear when he was hit by a high tackle resulting in a penalty and a yellow card for the tackler. A kick to the corner gave Brods a good position and although their drive for the line was repulsed a further penalty was awarded. This time the visitors could not hold the Brods pack and their powerful drive for the line resulted in a try for Elliot Craven. The conversion was missed however at 8-13 Brods were back in the game. Dronfield had other ideas and they immediately responded with a penalty goal to extend their lead once more to 8-16.
Six minutes into injury time and the Hipperholme boys were once more pressing the visitor’s line. Strong running by Adam Sutcliffe, Matty Briggs and his brother Michael worked the position and it was young hooker Jackson Wood who finished in fine style stretching to touch down in the right hand corner.
With a half time score of 13-16 the game was set for an exciting second half and the home side with the benefit of the slope and the wind might have been considered favourites. Brods started well and with Michael Briggs putting Brods into Dronfield territory Callum Bacon took his chance when he broke the visitors covering defence and danced through the gap to touch down. 18-16 to Brods.
The game continued to ebb and flow and it was the Woodhead boys who were to strike next. Good handling put Toby Everett clear in the Brods 22 and the strong running new signing carried to half way where his well-timed pass put James Millington playing out of position on the left wing clear with the fullback to beat. Millington made no mistake to crash over in the corner 23-16.
Brods scrum had been dominant with Lee Imolek's contribution being a significant factor however Dronfield were resilient and once more took the game to their hosts
camping in the home 22 well into injury time. They got their reward when their repeated drives at the Brods line eventually broke the Brods defence and they scored close to the posts. Dronfield needed to convert to get a draw which their fullback duly did and perhaps the score line was a fair reflection of a well fought game.
This young Brods team will continue to develop and considering the number of changes to the squad their supporters will be pleased at the at their undoubted spirit and improvement week by week.
Two well matched sides contributed fully to an exciting match at Woodhead on Saturday in front of a substantial crowd in glorious conditions.
Brods playing up the hill and against a strong breeze started enthusiastically and moved the ball well to set up good position in Dronfield territory. Brods were pressing in attack however when an ambitious pass was intercepted Dronfield took advantage and kicked deep into Brods territory. Calum Bacon just won the race back to ground the ball and following the drop out the Woodhead boys were penalised for offside. Michael Briggs was sin binned for kicking the ball away and Dronfield kicked the penalty to take the lead after & minutes play.
From the restart the visitors were on the attack again and some slick handling down the right resulted in their right winger crossing in the corner. Following the try Dronfield enjoyed good periods of possession and threatened the Brods defence however the Woodhead boys defended valiantly and forced errors in their attacks. The pressure eventually told when the ball was moved to the left flank and a couple of missed tackles resulted in a second try for the visitors 0-13 after 28 minutes play.
Brods worked hard to get into Dronfield territory earning a penalty which Bacon converted to register a score 3-13. Brods continued with their improved form as they took the game to the visitors and Matty Briggs was breaking clear when he was hit by a high tackle resulting in a penalty and a yellow card for the tackler. A kick to the corner gave Brods a good position and although their drive for the line was repulsed a further penalty was awarded. This time the visitors could not hold the Brods pack and their powerful drive for the line resulted in a try for Elliot Craven. The conversion was missed however at 8-13 Brods were back in the game. Dronfield had other ideas and they immediately responded with a penalty goal to extend their lead once more to 8-16.
Six minutes into injury time and the Hipperholme boys were once more pressing the visitor’s line. Strong running by Adam Sutcliffe, Matty Briggs and his brother Michael worked the position and it was young hooker Jackson Wood who finished in fine style stretching to touch down in the right hand corner.
With a half time score of 13-16 the game was set for an exciting second half and the home side with the benefit of the slope and the wind might have been considered favourites. Brods started well and with Michael Briggs putting Brods into Dronfield territory Callum Bacon took his chance when he broke the visitors covering defence and danced through the gap to touch down. 18-16 to Brods.
The game continued to ebb and flow and it was the Woodhead boys who were to strike next. Good handling put Toby Everett clear in the Brods 22 and the strong running new signing carried to half way where his well-timed pass put James Millington playing out of position on the left wing clear with the fullback to beat. Millington made no mistake to crash over in the corner 23-16.
Brods scrum had been dominant with Lee Imolek's contribution being a significant factor however Dronfield were resilient and once more took the game to their hosts
camping in the home 22 well into injury time. They got their reward when their repeated drives at the Brods line eventually broke the Brods defence and they scored close to the posts. Dronfield needed to convert to get a draw which their fullback duly did and perhaps the score line was a fair reflection of a well fought game.
This young Brods team will continue to develop and considering the number of changes to the squad their supporters will be pleased at the at their undoubted spirit and improvement week by week.
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