Woodhead was athrong with activity as 600 juniors attended a festival at Woodhead. Great to see the club so busy, so much enthusiasm and talent across the many pitches with teams from Hull, Scarborough, and as far as Rochdale.

The U13 had a delayed KO for the visit of Harrogate in this years Yorkshire Cup, in only the second time the teams have played. A typical autumnal morning saw Brods play ' over the road' on Beaver Park. How would they cope with the hill I wonder. Last years final performance a memory for many that would hopefully provide a spur to their intent.

Brods started well up the hill and some strong and direct running saw Brods work space wide, great link up play within the backs saw Gillgrass go over for an early score. Parkin took the extras for Brods to lead 7-0. Harrogate where quick to restart and a scrummage resulted. An even contest ensued with Brods having a clear weight advantage, however it proved a good contest early on. Harrogate took the ball, 8 breaking well and offloading to 'Gates inside centre who made powerful yards sucking in two Brods defenders, a deft offload saw Harrogate expose Brods defence and with some great pace went over in the corner, much deserved and some excellent phased ball and quick recycling. 7-5 after the conversion was just short

. The next 10 minutes saw some resolute defence where each side cancelled the other out. Great defence and hard work from both packs on the big pitch may well tell later in the game. Brods forwards started to edge the contest, sensing Harrogates belief they had to dig in. Strong back running saw Brods get close in the top corner. Parkin, Stewart and Hodgson generating good yards and position. Two or three phases saw Jones burrow under and drive over the line. A great forwards effort saw the lead at 14-5.

The Brods back row has been working very well of late, seeing Jones , Haldenby and Thackray really come into their own working well as a unit with Wood around the loose, each making intelligent decisions and working great field position - straight of the training ground. Harrogate working hard in the 1 st phase to get to the breakdown and tackling well. The rucking game was a good contest, intensity on both sides, Brods slightly edged it, that said and following another controlled spell they released their backs with Stewart scoring well just before half time. 21-5 up the hill although the score didn't reflect the game, Harrogate had worked hard for each other and deserved a narrow margin at the break.

Brods made a couple of substitutions. Marco on for Laurie and Inman on for Thompson. A reworked back line saw Parkin move to the back row. Harrogate again started well with the centres working really well making Brods stand up and defend in numbers. The downhill second half saw Brods dominate in the scrum driving the lighter Harrogate pack back, benefitting from the hill this half, Macdonald not losing any against the head and would go on to have a solid display at hooker. . Gill grass making a fantastic run at pace in the top corner saw Harrogate clear their lines - missing touch the kick was met with a strong run from Haldenby across the ouch and hodgson, gill grass released Thackray for a well earned try 26-5.

Brods introduced Harris and O'Sullivan Matthews for Farley and Chin, their tails certainly up and the rugby flowing well. Gill grass having an excellent game, in true style making great yards ball in hand. A lovely back move releasing Stewart whose pace was a threat all day, Inman opened up the defence with slovenly timed ball that saw Stewart show a clean pair of heals around the outside. 33-5 with Inman taking the extras.

The pitch taking its toll on both sides as fitness was now coming into play, both sides rotating players as the sun was firmly shining and a warmth to the face. Jones departed and Laurie returned , Parkin and Wood working well Parking at the breakdown jeckling well, Wood in the loose and fringes. Marco in only his second game showing real strength and whose height saw Brods dominate the forwards exchanges now. Brods where now playing with confidence and enjoying the benefit of the hill. Tiredness letting the infringements count grow, the resulting scrums sapping many of the players. Brods benefitting, both Stewart and Gillgrass taking hat tricks from the game and well deserved. Excellent angles and real pace making their opportunities tell. A final rally from Harrogate saw them work hard on the blind up the hill, thief powerful centre again making telling yards, an outstanding run saw Brods struggle at times to get low, bouncing a couple of tackles Smith stepped up and again belying his own size took the big centre down- great tackle son!!

A better second half from Brods and great to see everyone standing up hat-tricks from Gilgrass and Stewart to mark excellent performances from the pair. Strong play from Brods back row of Jones, Thackeay, Haldenby and Parkin worked hard in making strong running tell. Wood combined well in the fringes and Smith and Cliffe showing well.

The game now complete with the final result ending 59-5

Thanks to Harrogate, some excellent defending and testing the Brods defensively and through attacking strength, a disciplined team performance and in tyen12 apparently normally an 8 , an excellent game.