Lift-off for impressive Brods

The Hipperholme side finally put together an 80-minute performance and were convincing winners with an 18-man team effort.

Leading the way at Sandy Lane were Australian second row forward Stirling Ross and home grown Rob Jennings, whose powerful running often put the Woodhead boys on the front foot.

Brods started well but Selby opened the scoring with a penalty from their fly half on 12 minutes.

Brods looked comfortable in the scrum, although could not gain parity in the lineouts. However, their enthusiastic efforts in the loose were well rewarded.

Brods drew level after 27 minutes as they dominated possession and territory. Jennings broke from the base of a scrum and earned a penalty which Dan Wood kicked.

Brods returned to the offensive and good handling stretched the home defence. Improving young prop Armir Kozhani drew his man to put Jennings in enough space to force his way past the remaining defenders and score an excellent try.

Selby, trailing 8-3 on 30 minutes, raised their game and camped on the Brods line. The visitors defended well but a penalty made it 6-8.

The home side had the momentum now and took the lead with a further penalty but Brods handled well through Phil Town, Liam Scott and Wood, who kicked the visitors into an 11-9 interval lead.

Bob Sykes’s arrival meant Brods’ lineout improved. The Hipperholme boys retained possession for long periods, dominating up front and going through the phases.

Eventually the Selby defence cracked and Ross got his reward for an outstanding effort, breaking tackles on his way to the line. Wood’s kick extended the lead to 18-9.

Selby hit back with a converted try on 55 minutes but Brods reasserted themselves and continued to press in defence, forcing the home side into errors.

Fullback Matty Hoyle was confident in defence and intelligent in returning the ball deep into the Selby half. Scott marshalled his backs, who defended well and looked dangerous when in possession, especially on the flanks.

In the forwards Zac Ward was industrious and had his best game since returning to the club after completing his studies.

Wood kicked two penalties in the closing 10 minutes to put the seal on Brods’ best away performance of the season.

The development side gave another excellent performance and gained a home victory over West Park Leeds.