Under 15's Prove a Class Act

While the players turned up unaware of this week’s suggested rugby snobbery, 3 different fixtures and a pitch allocation nightmare, Jono definitely showed the signs of a man on the edge of sanity. It is to Jono’s credit this game ever took place as it proved he takes a hit as well as Sam ‘McCaw’ Thomas; by this I mean he returns the favour over and over again!

To match day and what a day it would prove to be, with Old Brods taking the opportunity to come and do battle with the Harrogate lads.

If last week had it all then this was the rugby version of gluttony, for all to enjoy. How could the game offer any more? Well it did.

As the Old Brods lads turned up it became very clear Harrogate would have to be on their game, with a considerable number standing at six foot and warming up like a bunch of James Haskell’s, they meant business and boy did they show their intent from the start.

On the other side General Beaumont looked like a boy with one hell of a lot of new toys! With the returning Yorkshire trialists the back line resembled a well-stocked armoury, which ‘The General’ could not wait to unleash upon the opposition.

Kick off and instantly the power and speed of the ever hardworking Harrogate forwards paid off with Captain Bondy reaping the rewards by showing his class with an excellent finish from a well worked move.

Brods, then took the game by the scruff of the neck and brought the game right back at Harrogate, step up Sam ‘McCaw’ Thomas who honoured the New Zealand Flankers sabbatical with a show even he would be proud; 10 tackles in 15 minutes. Even with this effort and Barthorpe’s physicality Brods took two trys for their endeavours.

Most teams would have seen the writing on the wall, not Harrogate! Back they came with ‘The General’ using the full arsenal available to him. Bondy and Considine fronted up in the centres, finding the smallest of gaps and the back three looking lethal in open space, it could only be a matter of time before the Brod’s lines were broken. So it proved to be with Considine and Cleary both breaking through to take the points and a solid lead into half time.

With the game seemingly won, Tom ‘The Reporter’ Wilkinson must have gone to sleep as the score, scorers and order of things became illegible. The sooner he is fit and back to playing the better for all.

This game was certainly not won and anyone who thought this did not understand the pride Brods have for their game. Harrogate did their best to smash the point home with an improvement at ruck time and trys executed quickly after the game restarted.

Brods would not give up and at no point could Harrogate take their foot off the gas, Brods continued to recycle quick ball and really did like the pick and go which they proved masters. Three trys were just reward for the hard work and never say die attitude of a team most will fear in the Yorkshire Cup.

While the tackle win rate was looking like David Cameron’s approval rating of recent times, and the defence was about as useful as a shark net in a Jaws movie, the scrum was proving to be a very useful tool. Thomas now at tight head, the ever improving Addison on the loose and ‘the yet to make a tackle’ Broadhurst in the middle, the front row proved too much for Brod’s. The pressure of Wilkinson and Sleight on Broadhurst is proving an excellent stick, as he now boasts an impressive scrum win rate.

This solid platform gave ‘The General’ all the time he needed, sitting at 10 like a young Dan Carter the back five worked hard to find the gaps and exploit any weakness found. The invention was also outstanding; using the strengths of all, to ensure Brods could not stay with Harrogate. Hobson, now fully warmed up after a prolonged time out, showed why he is a class act and should not be underestimated, running beautiful lines, catching cross field kicks and interlinking with the now outstanding; Cleary. Bally looked deadly with smooth running and the touch of arrogance which means he will always take on his opposite number. Bally do not celebrate a try until you have scored it!

Ollie Dean showed again why he is a player not to be forgotten, if he continues to show the form of the last few months; passing as pin point as Youngs and the speed to ruck time of Care, the splinters from the bench may not be annoying him quite so much this year! Likewise for another performer in the second half; Hunt, who did everything, asked of him, making tackles and punching up nicely to show he is pushing for a starting place in the centres.

So in a quick review; Harrogate showed again they are as deadly as James Bond in attack and at times quicker than a Bond Girl to lay down in defence.

We must earn the right. . .

We must front up . . .

Wilkinson you will be pleased to hear, you have been taken off writing reports. Well done to Wilkinson and Firth for coming down as support, it is appreciated.

Man of the Match:
Harry Cleary outstanding again – it’s getting boring. Please can someone else put their hand up? If Mr Cleary gets five MOM awards in a row this award will be named the Cleary Award.

A special mention to Thomas and Barthorpe for their physicality in defence, which needs to be replicated by others if we are to develop further as a squad.

Try Scorers:
Bond x 2, Considine x 2, Cleary x 2, Ball.

Final Score:
Unsure: Ref: 45 – 31, Wilkinson: 45 – 27.