Broadstreet RFC

Propping up the table, Hereford had yet to record a win in National League 3 Midlands and so a home match against them was an ideal way for Broadstreet to get back to winning ways and put last week’s shocker against Bromsgrove in the past. Coach Tom Hoines made a number of changes to last week’s line-up, welcoming back Nigel Mukarati at openside to replace Chris Dodd, Damian Taylor at 6 which pushed Nick Pratt up to his preferred position of 2^nd row to cover for Ed Simkiss. Simon Morris returned from his illness and replaced Ziggy Zutic on the bench whilst the back-line remained unchanged.

After 20 minutes of fast, open rugby which bounced from end to end, ‘Street broke the deadlock with a catch’n’drive close to the Hereford line which fittingly allowed Nigel Mukarati to score a try on his return to the club. Hereford lost their captain and hooker in this exchange and he was unable to continue being replaced by Dave Thomas, Cam Pimlow was unable to gain the extra points. 5-0

After more pressure on the Hereford line, hooker Carl Southwell crashed over for Broadstreet’s second 5 minutes later when he ran an excellent inside line off Nick Thatcher at scrumhalf. He shocked the crowd with a brace on 33 minutes when he was at the back of a driving maul which steered its way over the line. Cam Pimlow converting the 2^nd kick to make it 17-0

Nick Thatcher grabbed the bonus point try , just before half time when he latched onto a break up the centre by Nigel Mukarati to score under the posts for easy conversion for Pimlow. 24-0. Carlos was still recovering from scoring his second try whilst all of this was going on, and in the process of having a roll of medical tape around his leg to match the bandage covering last week's head injury.

After scoring two for the first time since U9s, hooker Carlos waltzed off the pitch, practicing the not so noble art of Jug Avoidance soon after with a slight injury and a roll of tape and a small tear in his eye to be replaced by utlity forward Tom Greevy.

Half Time Broadstreet RFC 24 - Hereford RFC 0

Hereford improved in the second half but ‘Street had much more of the ball and really should have extended the score much more than they did, this was made even easier when Hereford 2^nd row Jamie Bullock foolishly got sin-binned for a blatant trip. Matty Fielder and Andy Tee scored two more tries for the home side, Tetley’s being a long sprint from deep inside his own half which made it 36-0 once Stokes took over the kicking duties.

The home side were then given some uncomfortable moments before Hereford opened their scoring with a well worked try. After losing a scrum against the head they won the ball back and a nicely judged kick ahead from Richard Rees was followed up smartly by former Broadstreet player Perry Pudge to pick up close to the line and to cross for an unconverted try. 36-5

The score remained static for the remainder of the match despite pressure on each side’s tryline. The good-spirited match did unfortunately end on a sour note when prop Ben Dawes and Hereford’s Ali Mcoll were both sin-binned for a bit of ‘handbags’ 5 minutes from the end.

Full Time Broadstreet RFC 36 - Hereford RFC 5

Nigel Mukarati had a fantastic game on his return to the club on loan from Coventry and we can expect this solid perfomance to be boosted next week by further additions which will stregthen the 1^st XV squad. Next week’s away trip to Burton is going to be a hard slog after they narrowly beat Sheffield Tigers away from home, notching up a Penalty Try for continually out-scrummaging the Tigers pack close to their line. Burton Winger Dan Smith was the run-away top try scorer in their league last year with 22 tries.

Man Of The Match -

Matt Fielder showed courage in defence and a sharp turn of speed to go on some mazy runs, it would have been Carlos for his two tries, however going off injured prior to half time put paid to that.

DOTD -

Ben Dawes for the handbags