What a game!

RNRL were warmly welcomed by all involved with the St Judes Club not least Matt and Natalie Bowker who suffered the sad loss of Matts Mum this week. In true RL Family tradition a minutes applause took place before the match kick off in Brabars's memory.

The match itself could not have started much better for the visitors as the Brothers went 12 up within 10 minutes. On the attack from minute 1 centre Mitieli Ravudolo finished of a good move by the RN out on their left, Eli Steinberg converted well from a tight angle, 6:0. A few minutes later the Brothers were on the board again, a lost ball by St Judes saw winger Josh Korobiau gather and sprint straight through the Judes defence for a clear run, albeit 60 metres, to the line for the try, an easier shot at goal was converted by Steinberg to double his sides lead. As the half got to 20 minutes the home side grew into the game and pushed the Brothers back in defence, an interception by Darryl King saw him score for the home side. Callum Silcock scored the first of his 4 conversions of the match and it was game on. Despite some great attack and defence from both sides the break would not come for either team in a frantic 2nd quarter of the game but it was an exciting game to watch for the sizeable crowd that came out for the match.

Kiwi Ref Cliff Tamou got the game underway for the second half which rapidly turned into a points fest with both sides giving no quarter in an effort to take the game. Once again the RN took the iniative early in the half, a great break by Jack Franklin almost took the loose forward over the line but the Judes defenceheld him out. This was not to last long as, in the next plays, the ball was spun out to the RN right for Ravodolu to score his second try out wide. Another great conversion by Steinberg eased the visitors out to an 18:6 which took on even more significance as the game unfolded. Ten minutes later the RN were in again, this time Sean Houghton gathered a loose ball and eased past the Judes Cover to win the 60mtr foot race to the line touching down under the posts giving Steinberg a straight forward conversion24-6, loking good for the Brothers or was it! St Judes pressed for a score of their own but the RN did well in defence until 15 minutes from time when Josh Hill followed up a grubber on the left wing beating the RN defence to the ball touching down for the try, another terrific conversion by Sillcock brought his side back into the game at 24:12. The St Judes score was cancelled out almost immediatly by a try from Ben Connor, the big prop taking the defence with him to get the try, with Steinberg on the bench Sean Houghton nailed the conversion and with only te nminutes to go it looked good for the visitors30:12. St Judes showed a massive amount of character, gathering themselves again for a crucial final ten mnutes, their efforts were rewarded with a try for Rio Roberts on the Judes right, converted again by Silcock it was 30:18 as the clock ran down. It wasnot quite panic stations but RN lost some of their shape allowing Judes to press for another score, they were rewarded with a try for Callum Silcock who converted again, 30:24. Onceagain St Judes attacked the RN left and once again were rewarded, Roberts bagging his second of the day. The players ref and crowd realised the conversion attempt was going to be the last action of the match so there was a lot of pressure on the reliable boot of Callum Silcock however and in line wit all the drama of the second half the scrum half's conversion attempt from the right touchline struck the post and bounced back thus giving the game to the Brothers 30:28.

A great match for Adam Birkett in his first game as Academy coach and although he has a lot to work on he wa sdelighted with how his squad performed given the minimum preparation time as well as several players being new to the game

Despite the dispointment of the result the St Judes club proved great hosts and are planning a trip down to RNRL HQ in the new year bringing 2 possibly three teams to take on the Brothers at Burnaby Road. In tributeto Matts Mum Brabara, St Judes have provided a trophy named after her to be played for between the two clubs from now on.