Old Brodleans 31 Rochdale 50
On a chilly day at Hipperholme the game was introduced with an U9’s match between the two clubs played with lots of enthusiasm with Rochdale winning 11 tries to 8. The two teams contesting the main event were both made up of almost entirely home grown players a testament to both clubs attitude to the game ……… are you watching Twickenham!
A good deep kick off by Steve Collins pegged Brodleians back in their own 22 and saw them give away a penalty on the 10 metre line the ball came to scrum half Danny Joesbury who kept up his scoring run with a neat try, Collins converted 7-0 with only 3 minutes gone. Following a good clearance to the home sides 22 Dale won the scrum and the ball was worked wide to Tom Hesketh who rounded his opposite number and then the full back to go in by the posts, Collins converting to make it 14-0 – with less than 10 minutes gone Dale had their usual barnstorming start. Brodleians now woke up and using their powerful pack and solid line out skills got into the Dale red zone where a clever grubber kick got between the visitors defence and a touch down left the score 14-5 with conversion missed. The kicking of Collins saw the game played to a large extent in the Brodleians 22 and with Dales fast young backs threatening the line with every attack it was only a matter of time before Hesketh got an inside pass from Captain Josh Schofield and sprinted through the home sides defence to score his 2nd try to make it 21-5.
Ben Sunderland then joined the game making an instant difference in the line outs and round the scrum. Brodleians were next on the scoreboard with a well taken converted try 21-12. Dale were soon pressing again with the precise kicking of Collins leading to a scrum on the Brods. 22, the ball was moved across the line and wing forward Harry Hayes crashed in 28-12. With half time approaching it was Collins again to have the last word with a 30m penalty slotted over to take the final points of the half 31-12.
The 2nd half started with more of the same as Dale through Hesketh and the ever willing Ethan Poole making good runs to the Brods. 22 this time it was 2nd row Declan Connor backing up to score a nice try the conversion went over from Collins 38-12. The penalty count started to climb and when Sunderland was taken down in mid-air the offender was lucky not to see yellow. As usual Dales defence held up well and despite some fierce tackling they held the line and with the deadly long range kicking of Collins kept the play and the penalties in their opponents half and after a scrum on the Brodleians 5m line the ball came to Harry Hayes who burrowed his way through the defenders to go in for his 2nd and Rochdale’s 6th try of the afternoon. 45-12.
Soon after the referees patience ran out and the Brods. No.8 was yellow carded for a foul on Ross Hartley who was forced off with a head injury the 2nd such Rochdale player to suffer with knock that took him off the field. Harry Hill who had a good defensive game came off and Ben Coulter came back on. Good approach play from Dale led to a penalty and at last a short line out throw was taken by Danny Joesbury who went in for a smart try his 2nd of the afternoon the kick was just wide so 50-12. The home side kept on battling and with Poole yellow carded an overlap on the left wing led to a try converted by Brodleians to make it 50-17. Lots of defending to do and with several penalties in the red zone it was only a matter of time until Dale conceded again with a good passing move the left winger crept in to score his 2nd of the game. 50-24. Just time for Dale to be reduced to 13 men by a second yellow card and for Brodleians to gain a point with a 5th try. Final score 50-31.
Another great team effort with good tries and defending Collins again ran the show with Danny Joesbury and with top place secured, no game next week but 1st of February we welcome Scarborough which will be a tough encounter.
David Rhodes R.R.U.F.C.