1st XV Lose Out as Brods Go Top

Another highly competitive match between two quality teams saw Brodleians snatch victory with a last play of the game penalty try following a series of 5m scrums on the Goole line. It was certainly a bitter pill to swallow for the Goole side that established a 19 – 7 lead early in the second half against the powerful Brods side that battled to the end to claim top spot in the league. Danny Holt picked up an injury in training, that required a reshuffle of the team with Sam Smith moving to fullback and brother Jack partnering Lill in the centre. This allowed Eddie Newsum to return at second row with two new wingers in Sugden and Backhouse. Coates returned at hooker with Drury dropping down to the bench with Greaves and Shand.
From the kick off Brods took control of the game as Goole found it extremely difficult to get possession to relieve the early pressure from the heavyweight away team forwards. When they did manage to get the ball, it was generally kicked away allowing Brods to run the ball back at pace as they came close a number of times before finally getting the opening score after pushing the Goole scrum backwards at a rate of knots to gain possession and go over for a converted try after a number of close range rumbles. 0 – 7 with the opening nine minutes being played entirely in the Goole half of the pitch. Although Brods dominated the scrums throughout, Goole managed to retain possession on their own put-in thanks to some nifty work by Rayner at the rear of the scrum. It was this good possession that got them on the scoreboard with Tom Holt gathering a pass on his bootlaces to pop to Jack Smith who crashed through the Brods defence only to be brought down close to the try line. Recycled ball and a couple of phases resulted in Connor Walker going over in the corner for an unconverted try 5 – 7 from their first visit to the visitors 22. With the kick off not going ten metres, Goole retained possession and after being awarded a penalty had the throw-in at a lineout inside the Brods 22. With an impressive catch and drive a try looked inevitable, but the forward momentum lacked the composure needed and they were held up over the try line to enable Brods to clear. With both Jack Smith and Matty Lill finding open ground behind the Brods defensive line Goole looked the most likely team to score next and did so with Tom Holt going over in the corner. The excellent conversion by Rhys Moore giving Goole a 12 – 7 after 26 mins of the first half. Brods came back with a brief spell of pressure but Goole defended resolutely turning the ball over on their try line to clear and were awarded a penalty wide out on the Brods 22 with a yellow card for the powerful Brods prop. Once again, no kick at goal but with possession from the lineout and a try looking on the cards, the chance was gone with a spilt pass on the try line. Shortly after, Lill was through but was brough down by the last man before another poor pass wasted another similar scoring opportunity leaving the half time score at 12 – 7.
The second half started with Goole once again being successful at the breakdown with Connor Walker, Olly Raynor and Ashton Neal doing an excellent job along with the impressive James Chantry who was outstanding is all aspects of the game. It was the home team that looked the more threatening with Tom Holt having his best game of the season, as Goole scored again following a 50m solo run by Sam Smith deep into the Brods 22. The recycled ball finding its way to Lamb who went over from close range to score with Moore’s successful conversion taking the score to 19 – 7 after just 12 mins of the second half. Greaves was now on for Newsum as Brods briefly threaten the Goole try line with Sam Smith on this occasion coming to the rescue by stealing the ball in the tackle. This ability to turn the ball over at breakdowns and in tackles being a key factor throughout the match. This was certainly a period in the match where the next team to score would be a major factor in the outcome of the match, especially with Goole being hampered by injuries forcing disruptions to the already under pressure scrum. With Brods being awarded a penalty in front of the Goole posts they immediately opted for a scrum that unsurprisingly gave them a converted try to get back into the game at 19 – 14 with ten minutes remaining.
With all the Goole replacements now on the field and more positional changes needed, this was going to be a torrid final spell for the Goole side with Brods now in the ascendency. The key question being, “will they be able to hold on for the win”? A pick-up at the rear of a rapidly retreating 5m scrum by the impressive Raynor saw him charge up to halfway with a following kick deep into the Brods 22 giving Goole some respite and the opportunity to see the game out in the opposition half. Unfortunately, that did not happen, as with Brods heavyweight ball carriers crashing into the Goole defenders gaining ground with every carry to win a scrum in front of the Goole posts as the game went into overtime. There was now a feeling of inevitability about the outcome and after seven minutes of overtime Brods got their rewards with a penalty try to snatch the game 19 – 21.
As recently highlighted at the recent Rugby World Cup it is the team with the stronger scrum that generally wins tight games and that was clearly evident here today, as Goole struggled throughout against the heavier and more powerful Brods pack, their three tries all coming from scrums close the Goole line. In the end the injuries and the resulting positional reshuffles were a key factor in the game with Brods certainly looking Championship favourites.