Brods grab a draw in Yorkshire One clash at Keighley

Storm Dennis was the main culprit as both teams battled not only with each other but torrential rain and gale force winds.

Keighley kicked off and the early exchanges were even with Ben Hoyle and Joe Kafatolu breaking the line for Brods to take the game to their hosts.

Both sides were guilty of handling errors and the game was in the balance with Keighley having the edge in the lineouts and Brods in the scrums.

When Brods lost Alex Murphy to a yellow card for handling in the ruck, Keighley stepped up the pressure to camp in Brods 22.

The Hipperholme side defended well but eventually several powerful drives broke the Brods line and it was the Keighley centre Sean Kelly who scored between the posts. The try was converted by Oliver Kelly to give the home side a 7-0 lead after 27 minutes.

After the break, Brods had the elements in their favour and Joe Kafatolu forced his way over the line from close range to open their account.

Kyle Millward kicked the goal to put the sides level and Brods were now enjoying the majority of possession and territory.

Keighley defended valiantly until the closing seconds when they conceded a penalty just outside their 22 to give Brods the opportunity to take the game. The pressure was on in the appalling conditions and the ball struck the post and bounced back into play.

This weekend Brods take a break from league rugby as they look to progress in the RFU Intermediate Cup.

The Hipperholme club qualified for this competition as representatives of the Yorkshire RFU following their victory in the Yorkshire Shield last season when they beat local rivals Heath in the final .

Brods beat Gosforth in the first round of matches and now face fellow Northumberland side South Shields Westoe in the second round at Woodhead.

The winners of Saturday’s game will represent the North Eastern Division and play the winners of the North West in the quarter final.