A sterner test there was not after a couple of weeks house bound after the frivolities of a bountiful Christmas for Brods U14. A re-run of last years Yorkshire Cup final that saw Wetherby the victors 15-14 - Brods travelled the seemingly short journey up the A1 to Wetherby’s Grange Park ground.

The games between Brods and Wetherby have been amongst the best we have witnessed over the last few years, some genuine talent on show amongst two of Yorkshires’ best at this age grade. The games always played in a fantastic spirit, respect, intensity and heart across the pitch.

The game started with both sides looking to command the early exchanges, attempting to take the early authority and upper hand…Wetherby took those honours…great forward play and strong rucked ball saw the hosts take a solid foothold, putting Brods on the back foot. Wetherby’s fly half controlling the game turning Brods around, gaining good early yards. Strong Wetherby back play meant Brods defence had to be on its game, their cover defence working well to keep the hosts out. Strong defence securing turnover ball in Brods 22, Cliff and Gillgrass combining well. Brods cleared to the Wetherby 10, their winger attacking on the far side to an early clash of heads that saw both players game finish early with concussion injuries. Both sides reshuffled, McDonald onto the wing for Brods and Cliff to shuffled to fullback. Wetherby continued to make solid yards , their number 8 seeming to be everywhere, in both attack and defence. Brods back row being thoroughly tested, along with the three quarters of Ben Hodgson and Tom Parkin. Tom Inman having to play blackfoot defence for a solid 10 minutes or so. The first quarter ended, probably to Brods relief. They needed to refocus, tighten the channels and start to secure set piece ball.

Brods kit took a detour enroute from Halifax…well it was left in the garage actually!….arriving in time for the second quarters start.

Now, call me sentimental, but it did make a difference…the tempo seemed to lift as did the chatter. Wetherby had dominated the first session, without doubt, Brods starting well the forwards taking the challenge to the bigger Wetherby pack. The ruck area was a fierce contest…no quarter asked or given it was powerfully contested, Wetherby still edging the breakdown but only slightly. Thackray, Lorimer and Leahy, starting to assert, the christmas pudding taking around 15 minutes to run off perhaps! Scrums went with the head, Wetherby making better yards with their successes, their fly half dominating, Brods unable to exert the pressure to command the space he had to operate in. Jones and Haldenby working hard in supporting the back row in closing them down, tackles driving the carrier back now for the first time.

Wetherby followed their own kick, putting Brods under pressure, the ball came back and their 10, kicking over the top only for McDo and to show great cover defence , forcing a knock on from the Wetherby kick in the try area. Great vision from the Wetherby boy...Inman’s all round game starting to have impact, he kicked well and turned Wetherby around making strong yards onto the Wetherby 10, quick ball saw Dan Leahy, take on the full and made strong yards, breaking two Wetherby tackles, 25 out. The ball went wide to Finlay Stewart who made an exceptional run, cover defence stopping him 15 out, Tom Parkin providing excellent early support ensuring Brods kept possession. Lorimer secured good ball and Brods forwards, martialled by Adam Smith set to it, pulling the Wetherby defence around. Jackson Wood went first, Macauley Thompson, next…5 out..Michael Jones drove hard and low, only to be stopped just short, great defence from Wetherby on the line. Sam Nixon picked from two out, and got low and went over, initially held by the defence , he grounded well using good power over the line. Inman kick just wide 5-0 Brods. Brods first serious attack baring fruit, to be fair against the run of play in the first 25 minutes. Half time.

A couple of subs saw James Farley enter at Prop for Jackson Wood, and Lewis Paxton-white enter at scrum half for Adam Smith.

The message was very simple at Half Time…tighten the channels, improve our line speed, close down their space and raise our impact and intensity at the breakdown. Brods started well and the momentum from the end of the first half picked back up. Dan Leahy committed as ever at the breakdown, working hard. Brods backs had very little go forward in the first half, defending for the majority. The third quarter stating well allowing the Brods backs more ball in hand. Confidence growing, Cliff having an excellent day at full back taking everything that came over. The contest was at full tilt and felt like a cup final, the atmosphere reflecting the intensity. Wetherby made great yards though the middle, breaking two or three tackles the Wetherby forwards driving and supporting well. A penalty on Brods 22 gave Wetherby a great chance. A quick tap saw Wetherby force into Brods 22, 10 out Brods conceded for offside from the earlier quick tap, another quick tap saw Wetherby go over under the posts…Game On!!…7-5 Wetherby.

Further Brds subs saw Jude Green come on for the strong Jones and Oliver Chin on for Ben Hodgson, who had had a solid defensive game.

Brods started well, Thackray taking command around the fringes and getting over the gain line, Henry Haldenby supporting well to play some solid controlled rugby that saw Brods make good yards after the restart. Inman’s hand firmly on the tiller, Brods where back to their usual standard and working as a unit across the pitch. Finlay Stewart into centre and Tom Parkin switching to inside. Brods forwards now starting to excerpt as Wetherby started to tire a little. Brods drawing a penalty about 30 yards out, Inman opting to kick, making a great 3 points putting Brods back in front 8-7.

Neither side accepting of the friendly, the skill and commitment levels on show today befitting of the scoreline…there was nothing in it. The final quarter started Brods had to simply maintain their Q3 performance…keep the pressure on, force the errors as they tire..forwards tight in the loose and support. Tight line from the backs force them inside.

Brods started well, their set piece really starting to control, great drive and maul today, rucking even on the balance with Brods edging the 3rd Quarter. James Farley and Macca Thompson still going well late in the game for Brods, Henry Haldenby and James Thackray really working well with Felix Lorimer, picking up any scraps, not allowing Wetherby the space they had in the early exchanges..Brods fitness starting to tell a little, getting there earlier and winning good quick ball, forcing Wetherby onto the back foot. Inman turning them around again, pulling their forwards around the pitch. The game being contested in the middle of the pitch largely with Wetherby defence stating tall, Brods now looking to punch a hole.

Brods setting up well through James Farleys turned over ball, Lewis Paxton White, setting Inman off toward the far side, Tom Parkin and Finlay Stewart showing great hands and pace to force Wetherby to defend in numbers. Good recycled ball, the ruck now far stronger from Brods, saw Inman see a gap in the Wetherby line, he drew his man, missing out the centres threw a great pass to Oliver Chin who showed great pace to go round the cover defence. Great try, well worked and well converted. …Brods knew the significance of the kick, Inman putting it over for a great conversion putting Brods two scores ahead at 15-7. A great performance from the Brods team who had to really dig in and show their mettle defensively in the first half. Brods held Wetherby inside their half to see out the final minutes…Some very tired bodies on both sides, ending an enthralling game. A game of outstanding defence, fought with some fantastic commitment and played for the full match at an extremely high level of intensity.

There may have been no silverware on show today, you would have never have known it meant any less to both sides. A genuinely fabulous game, extremely tight and contested in the spirit we have grown to expect from of two excellent young sides…Great game boys!…Fabulous win Brods!