Brods make it four in a row

The hosts, buoyed by a home victory over Heath, were confidant but so were Brods, who made the most of one of the finest playing surfaces in white rose county rugby to notch their fourth win in a row.

The Hipperholme side kicked off against a strong breeze and Selby took advantage of several penalties to camp in the visitors’ 22.

Selby opened the scoring from a line out drive with a try by Josh Booth.

Brods responded well, the forwards flexing their muscles at a sequence of rucks.

Pete Williams carried well and defenders could not deal with South African prop Josh Cricknay as he drove over from short range. Phil Town converted against the increasing wind to give Brods the lead after 15 minutes.

Selby’s enthusiastic play forced errors in defence and scrum-half Andrew McLoughlin picked up a loose ball to scamper over. The converted try restored the Selby lead to 12-7 after 20 minutes.

Brods again took the game to their hosts and from a scrum just inside the Selby half, Luke Scrimshaw picked up, drew the defence and released scrum half Dom Georgiou.

The lively half-back evaded several tackers on his way to the line and Town converted in increasingly difficult conditions.

Both sides were contributing to an entertaining game.

Selby regained the lead with a fine piece of rugby finished by good young prospect Sam Pocklington, who used his great pace and a wicked side-step to wrong-foot the Brods defenders.

Brods finished the half with a fine try themselves. Rob Jennings and Nathan Scott combined in midfield and their powerful running set up the position for Cricknay to add to his earlier try in similar fashion. Town’s goal gave Brods a 21-18 lead.

From an excellent kick off Brods again camped in the home 22 and the influential Scrimshaw finished off another forward drive close to the posts. With a bonus point in the bag, Town again converted.

Selby responded well and earned themselves what might be a precious four-try bonus point when right wing Ashton Dallimore crossed in the corner.

The Woodhead boys were controlling most phases of play with Bob Sykes in imperious form in the lineout, making the most of James Ogden’s pin point throws in difficult conditions.

The scrum was also dominant and Brods finished off an excellent performance with a characteristic pick up and drive try from emerging talent Harley Morris.