OLD Brodleians entertain North Ribblesdale on Saturday (3.00) as newly crowned Yorkshire Two champions – and most deservedly having gone so far unbeaten in the league.
Squad celebrations were low-key after Saturday's success – the focus now is going through the season without a league defeat.
North Ribblesdale proved difficult to beat early in the season and their league position belies the strength of their te
am. Possibly the strongest pack in the league, the Brods '8' will have their work cut out.
Player-coach Nick O'Connor reports training has gone well as the squad went through a gruelling running and swimming session in Sowerby Bridge to make sure they are razor sharp for the season's climax.
More changes have been made to the team as the coaches continually look to next season and at the talent that has been so successfully parading in the second team.
While the forward pack has a familiar look about it, Jonny Hotham and Joe Baker get their chance to shine. Hotham has been impressive all year and does not miss a training session, Baker played initially at Halifax and then Bolton before settling at the Brods.
Hotham is likely to play inside centre and with Doc Holbrough missing O'Connor returns to where his career started at outside centre providing the experience among his young charges. Baker comes in for Adam Standeven who is on the bench, Matt Hoyle is at full-back.
The Seconds have picked up an away club fixture at Goole and look remarkably strong for this time of season. Still missing long term absentees Joe Armitage, Luke Scrimshaw and Adam Jackson, along with the more short term Gaz Standeven and Matt Hague, they still put out a team where the majority has played first XV this term.
Scott Parkin will test his fitness from the bench, man of the match last week Kieran Nalton keeping his place in the second row. Tom Hanson returns in the back row.
The Development Team have an important match against Cleckheaton (3.00) and as a result some that may have been promoted to the second team have remained with the Development team. There is also a return for fliers Aaron Fowler, back after six months touring around the world and Martin Jackson available again after other commitments. Ian Mallard continues to impress at scrum-half and there is a very impressive set of forwards to pick from.
Harry Hill's Fourths are awaiting a fixture but would welcome the same as they are on something of a roll, last week destroying Barnsley away from home.
Brods l (home to North Ribblesdale, meet club 1.30): M. Hoyle, Marshall, O'Connor, Hotham, Baker, J. Womersley, Gardiner, Taylor, Ogden, McLaughlin, Willis, Vollans, Dale, B. Hoyle, Akroyd, A Standeven, MacArthur, Shaw
Brods ll (away to Goole, meet club 12.45): Scott, Sykes, Cowling, Clay, Rowe, Green, Melia, Thonpson, Morrell, Donlan, N Womersley, Nalton, Hanson, Mear, Millward, Parkin, M. Smith, Reed
Development Team (home to Cleckheaton, meet club 1.30):
Fowler, Haskew, Jackson, Turner, Gibson, Turnbull, Mallard, Skinner, Fee, Murgatroyd, B Smith, Wilson, Bolger, Kalanovic, Evalds, Brear, Crilley, Ramsden Jnr, Kingham, Scrimshaw, Brian
Brods lV (TBA; all players please contact Harry Hill)
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