Old Brodleians RFC 17- 11 West Leeds RUFC
If last Saturday saw a great game in terrible conditions this was the opposite, writes Glenn Broadbent.
A game of low skill, niggle and at some points attempted intimidation and violence.
The visitors scored the opening try on 5 minutes 0-5.
From then on West Leeds barely had the ball, so it was no surprise when Brods converted a penalty on 15 minutes to make it 3-5.
Against the run of play West’s fought back on 22 minutes with a 40 metre penalty conversion 3-8.
On the rare occasions West Leeds did have the ball they couldn’t breakdown a defensive line with three players so quick off the mark you could have been forgiven for thinking they were offside most of the afternoon, the referee of course not entertaining such a thought.
Brod’s gained the upper hand on 31 minutes with an excellent try and conversion 10-8.
The home side continued to dominate and ended the having had an estimated 80% of possession.
HT 10-8
Wests started the second half in much better form with some great kicking and excellent moves. The work resulting in a converted penalty 10-11.
For 20 minutes West Leeds were in control but with no reward.
The home side replied with some excellent hard running and speedy attack but resilient defending held them at bay until the 75th minute when a mistake allowed them a converted try. 17-11.
Wests tried hard to make a late fightback but despite coming close end up defeated for the first time since May 2015.
Brod’s without doubt were the better side on the day and the margin could have been bigger had it not been for the determined defending of the visitors.
For Wests to come away with a losing bonus point (lost by fewer than seven points) was an achievement.
Next week West Leeds host Halifax-based Heath at Blue Hill Lane KO 3pm.