Brods’ struggle intensifies

Tom Moody scored on his return from Morley

Trailing 17-3 at half-time, a 10-point burst immediately after the break got them right back in it but the east coast visitors regained control to run out comfortable winners.

Brods had influential No 8 Rob Jennings back from injury and former junior Tom Moody in the centre on his return from Morley.

However, there was little fluency in their play and too many individual errors to give them a realistic chance of victory.

The hosts made a promising start against the slope, Jennings making 40 metres from the base of the scrum and winger Eddie Carter being bundled into touch from Phil Town’s punt forward.

Scarborough then got into their stride, blowing a couple of try opportunities after creating overlaps out wide before stand off Tom Harrison’s simple penalty gave them the lead on 14 minutes.

Brods responded positively with Danny Wood getting to within five metres, after good work from Town and Liam Scott. Winger Alex Brooke was then unable to gather a pass with the line open.

Scarborough were gifted seven points on 25 minutes when Wood’s wild pass, as Brods attempted to launch a counter-attack following a Scarborough clearance kick, landed Carter in trouble.

The visitors seized on the loose ball and fullback Corey Dennis romped 35 metres unopposed to the try line and Harrison converted.

Wood’s well-struck penalty made it 3-10 on 32 minutes but Scarborough finished the half strongly. They were rewarded when replacement forward Jesse Macdonald plunged over at the side of the posts and Harrison added the extras.

Brods’ prospects of getting back into it looked remote but Moody scored within 60 seconds of the start of the second half, from Brooke’s inside pass after the winger had sped away down the left.

Wood landed a 44th minute penalty and had a chance to narrow the gap to one point on 48 minutes but the fullback was narrowly wide with a straight 35 metre effort.

Brods made a hash of gathering the restart and their momentum was instantly lost.

A Harrison penalty made it 13-20 on the hour and Scarborough’s forwards then took control with a series of drives, retaining possession well.

Brods’ losing bonus point disappeared four minutes from the end when flanker Eamon Chapman was credited with a pushover try for Scarborough on the back of a fine penalty to the corner from the impressive Harrison.