Good to get back to Rugby.

Lets gets to the issues straight away. Brods vets, a well drilled and orgasnised team with years of experience behind them. Horrible pitch, heavy and slopey. Young(ish) Heath side & inexperienced front row Strength and experience overcame passion and desire Prior to the game injuries and call ups throughout the club meant that the 3rds were intending to play with a depleted pack, and Captain Dan Ingham had no option but to the scour the streets of Halifax and Elland in order to splash out on a new hooker. David Nelson, returning from University, volunteered to play 2 and throughout the day performed measurably against a very strong and resolute Brods pack. Lewis Fisher, likewise returning from University, was convinced that his afternoon would not be best served at number 1. He attempted to argue against this selection conumdrum on the basis that he had lost weight and was now quicker and therefore better served in the backs. He may be studying the gestation period of newts or deciphering the works of Shakespeare, or something like that, but the only degree he was getting today was from the University of Crouchtouchpauseandengage. Having earlier recieved a poorly forged sicknote, with what appeared to be a childish scrawl in crayon and signed Dr Paddy O'Dawes, from captain Dan Ingham stating that he was feeling a bit "off" and the cure was going back to bed, Paddy Kerr had to fulfil the number 3 shirt, which was remarkably loose bearing in mind the 3rds had swapped kit with the 1sts. Someone in the firsts needs to attend more training sessions !!!!!! Karl Raby assisted admirably, and ensured that he led by example, and his tackling and determination was much appreciated all afternoon. The first half could have been described by any General in the first world war as attrition overcome by massacre. Heath playing up hill, against the wind and making as much ground as an asthmatic ant carrying a heavy bag of shopping, were no match for the Brods forwards whose strategy was to keep charging, being tackled, charging again, being tackled, and charging again until we ran out of tacklers and the try line beckoned. The Heath "youth" dug in well, but conceded 5 tries, a penalty and a conversion. It would have been 6 tries, but a Brods forward, after a fantastic passage of play, did a Chris Ashton as he crossed the line, only to see the ball continue its trajectory as he crashed to earth like a spiralling spitfire. Nobody laughed, absolutely nobody, it wasn't big and it wasn't funny (ok it was, it is, and we did). Not demoralised we kept to the script, and with 2 minutes to the end of the first half a rare loose ball from a Brods attack, popped out on our 22, and Eddie Cartwright had the presence of mind to hoof it towards Shelf. 6 taps with the boot later, Eddie crossed the line to earn well taken individual try. Matt Cook duly drop kicked the conversion (class!!). Half time 29-7 The second half had Heath going downhill with the wind, and a renewed vigour to make up for lost ground. Brods, as expected, maintained a strong prescence in the Heath 22, and fine tackling displays from Brook Ward, Nick Szadsby, Raby and Danny Greenwood (playing 9) ensured the try line was not breached. Eddie Cartwright decided 20 minutes into the half that football was the way forward, and again took to performing a mazey Rooney run, whereby not a hand touched the ball for 50 metres, until with a yard to go up it popped as if by magic into his arms and he fell over the line for his second score of the day. Cookie again added the extras with another drop kick conversion. Kerr, having learnt the art of propping from the Brods number 3, left the field in order to discover where his neck and spine had actually decided to align itself for the remainder of the game. At which point the scrums were changed to uncontested. Lewis Fisher then made a fearsome tackle on the Brods number 1, around the midriff, and despatched him a full 5 yards towards Hipperholme. This resulted in the Brods player leaving the field with a rib injury. With minutes to go another loose ball came free on the half way line and between Eddie Cartwright and Martin Barnes they again kicked it towards the Brods line. With only 5 metres to go Barnesy delicately punted the ball one more time, which reached as far as Brighouse Bus station and knocked over an old lady who, as she hit the floor, was heard to say "No try - ball in touch". The chance had gone. Almost immediately, from the restart, Heath had another chance. Good ball to hands resulted in Michael Dodd receiving it and using a crab like sprinting technique worked his way to the corner flag. He offloaded inside to Antony Barrat, who had previously only played football, and when asked what position he played at the start of the game said Centre back. Surprised, elated and realising he was just about to shunted into touch by the Brods forwards, Antony none the less crossed the line to record a try. Cookie attempted another drop kick conversion which failed. Final score 29-19.....Brods winning the first half, Heath winning the second....technically a draw. Kiplings MOTM awards went to Forward - Nick Szadsby and Backs - Brooke Ward.