Historically speaking, we’ve never actually beaten our visitors, who are based just over the South Yorkshire border in Derbyshire. It is, however, only the second season we’ve been in the same league together, so our history of clashes is quite short!

Last season, October ’22, it was a 23-all home draw here at Woodhead and last January we lost 25 – 17 down at Gosforth Fields.

This season’s reverse fixture was back in September, and we lost 20 – 6 back then. Brods currently sit top of the league with just two losses: Selby and Dronfield.

Despite being fifth in the league, Dronfield have only lost three of their 12 matches this season and have a game in hand over the majority.

Looking ahead to the challenge, joint Head Coach Lee Imiolek said, “Dronfield have been somewhat of a bogey team for us since they joined the league and are a tough, niggly outfit who make it really difficult to play against them. We are hoping we can get on top of them today and come away with another good win.”

We also have three other senior matches this weekend. On Saturday we have a double-header with Cleckheaton as our 2nd XV take the short trip to Chain Bar and the Beavers welcome the red and whites over the road on Beaver Park. And on Sunday our Ladies XV head over to Yarnbury (2pm kick off). We wish all players the very best.

One final huge welcome (…and for many it’s a “welcome back”); we’re delighted to be hosting almost 100 former players in the clubhouse on Saturday, ahead of the big match with Dronfield. It’s our second annual Past Players’ Lunch, following the success of last January, and we’re looking forward to seeing so many familiar faces. We hope everyone enjoys the reunion.

Brods v Dronfield (Player sponsor in brackets)

1. Pete Ashton* (Horley Green Accountants)
2. Elliot Craven (c)* (ETH Fitness)
3. Lee Imiolek (Ian Greenwood)
4. Charlie Culf* (Richard Culf)
5. Jamel Goodall (Inch & Fenton Family)
6. Alex Murphy (Calder Building Services)
7. Ryan Harris* (Katie Harris Hairdressing)
8. Rob Jennings* (Aqua Rod)
9. James Hodkinson* (Sarah Taylor Estates)
10. Joshua Kelly (Sarah Taylor)
11. Jacob Grierson* (Mel Green)
12. Chris Georgiou* (Jason Georgiou)
13. Dom Georgiou* (JS Plumbing)
14. Ben Barron* (RH Joinery)
15. Fyn Hobson* (PCL Automotive)

16. Jackson Wood* (Total Biomass Solutions)
17. Joe Fee* (EPS Joinery)
18. Leo Kemp* (Zebra)

(* Denotes a player who has progressed through from the Brods Junior Section)