Beeston Broncos under nines were host to Drighlington ARLFC, who in previous encounters had proved worthy opposition, writes Broncos coach Darrell Robinson.
Last time these two teams met it was a very close game between two evenly matched sides and the way Drig started the game it looked like they were really up for this one.
The Broncos started with the ball but excellent defence from Drig kept them pinned back and forced a quick turnover and with a couple of good drives they were almost over the Bronco.s try line. The defence regrouped and held them out for two more tackles but a strong run onto the ball from the visiting team crashed through the line and over for the first score of the match.
Broncos tried to hit back quickly, only to drop the ball over the try line and hand possession back to Drighlington.
Some strong tackles from the Broncos forced the ball loose in collision and earned them the ball back. From the first play Broncos’ 7 Cameron Phillis broke the line and had too much pace for anyone to stop him.
From the restart the home team again forced an error and it was clear to see there tails were up. Broncos scored again on the first tackle this time from the number 6 Aidan Robinson running down the wing and touching down right in the corner.
Drighlington came back strong and were the next to cross the line thanks to some of their big lads making brilliant yards down the middle of the field and running on to the ball, making them hard to take down.
From the restart good running from number 8 Tyler Geldard and 13 Thomas Stockdale made way for Bronco’s 6 and 7 to step in and try some of the link up play that has worked so well so far this season but theDrig defence did just enough to cause the pass to go slightly off target and win them possession back.
A quick play of the ball caught the home team off-guard and got Drig right up the field and into a position that was going to get them over the line and into the lead.
From the restart number 11 Jarvis Falconer and then number 1 Kieran Telford showed there pace and strength to make good yards into the opposition half, then Bronco’s number 12 Dylan Pryce who had been working overtime in defence, stepped up for the ball and with a neat little dummy and side step was almost over the line but Drig did just enough to hold him up and that was the end of the half .
At half time the Broncos knew they were really up against it and knew they had to come out fighting in the second half. Drig restarted with the ball but a massive team tackle from three of the Bronco’s knocked the ball out and Broncos’ 9 Nathan Kirk pounced on the loose ball and the home team straight up the field and scored within three tackles.
The second half was a very different game there were big try saving one on one tackles from Broncos number 4 Cameron Coatham and 8 Tyler Geldard while number 7 Cameron Phillis bagged another couple of quick tries to which Drig had no answer.
Number 1 Kieran Telford was putting in some hard tackles, which shook the visiting team in there boots. In the end the home side were just too strong with Cameron Phillis scoring six times and Robinson scoring twice. Jarvis Falconer, Dylan Price, Cameron Coatham and Nathan Kirk all came very close to getting on the score sheet but were held up just short.
Overall the team worked tirelessly in defence and got the result they wanted. ‘Most improved’ award went to Cameron Coatham, ‘magic moment’ went to Dylan Price while the supporters man of the match went to Kieran telford for his massive effort in defence. Coaches award went to Tyler Geldard for leading the way up the middle. Drighlinghton awarded Cameron Phillis their man of the match award after his impressive attacking display.
Next week we are away to Keighley Albion – let’s hope we can make it 10 unbeaten.
