RNRL 28 :14 GB Police RLA

The first few minutes of the match saw both sides’ complete good sets as they tested each other out, the police using their big mobile pack to try and smash the home defence whilst the Brothers were determined to avoid the arm wrestle and get some width to their game. A foray into Police territory resulted in a penalty for the Brothers as the visitors tried to slow the game down, stand off Kev Botwood slotted home a straight forward penalty to put his side ahead by two. GB Police responded with a concerted attack of their own once again beginning in the pack the attack was held up 10 metres out on the RN right, from the play The Ball however Scrum half Danny Rowland took the ball on the short side evading the RN defence to cross for the try, the score was not converted so the Police were only up by two. The next 20 minutes or so was scoreless with both sides trying to stamp their authority n the game, the Police continuing to use the pack as the main strike weapon but the Brothers were up to the task in the collision whilst Darren Bamford dealt well with any speculative kicks at full back. The Brothers however, whilst making the initial breaks were trying to force the game and as a result were losing possession early in the tackle count. The deadlock was broken in a somewhat bizarre fashion, Lewis Taylor took the ball up to the Police Line slotted through a grubber which after a couple more toe pokes he managed to gather and looked set for the line, however he opted to slip the ball to B Buinimasi who was brought down close to the line. It looked initially as though the move had been held up but swift play the balls saw Skipper Steve Lockton speed over the line and behind the posts to offer Botwood the easiest of conversion attempts which he duly took, 8:4 after 32 minutes. The Police once again responded and after a penalty was awarded for a high tackle, quick play saw the ball moved across the field to Chris Sheffield who beat the RN defence to cross to the right of the posts. Darrell Rotherham converted the score so as Referee Michel Hague brought the half to an end the Brothers were down by two at 8:10. The first fifteen minutes of the second half were scoreless but the RN seemed to be getting the upper hand although too many passes were going astray frustrating attempts to get even with the Police. Finally after some good approach work on the RN left a grubber kick ricocheted almost into the arms of Kev Botwood who then put in an inch perfect cross field kick right into the arms of Sub Rob Sanderson who beat the defence to touchdown out wide, Botwood was unable to convert but the Brothers now had the lead 12:10. The Police side were just beginning to show signs of tiredness as the Danny Johnson rotated his squad well keeping the pressure on the visitors and after 60 minutes Ritchie Metcalfe made a telling break through the heart of the Police defence and despite being in heavy traffic managed to slip a one handed pass inside to scrum half Wayne John who had a straight forward footrace some 50 metres or so beating the cover to go over under the posts, Botwood again converting, 18:10. Now full of confidence the Brothers went straight on the offensive from the kick off, more good yards from sub Tommy Wilkinson put the Brothers well into the opposition half, good hands got the ball once again out to the right and Sanderson again took the final pass to cross for his second of the day, this time Botwood could not convert, 22:10. A sharp reminder that the game was not over came from the police five minutes later with a well worked try scored in the corner by winger Phil Green, the conversion was missed so the score was now 22:14. The Brothers regained their composure after this and returned back to the attack almost immediately, the RN right which had proved very profitable throughout the match was used again and more quick hands gave Rob Sanderson the opportunity to get his hat trick which he took in some style going round behind the posts to ensure Botwood had another straight forward conversion effectively sealing victory for the Brothers.
Besides being a maiden victory for Coach Johnson, several players made impressive returns to the side, Craig Sutton in the second row and Fijians Buinimasi and Robanakadavu all had good games whilst the newer players Haldenby, Wilkinson and Bamford continue to make their presence felt. The ‘wild card’ inclusion in the squad giant Fijian Joji Qaranivalu had a strong game coming off the bench to continue the pressure on the Police pack. Steve Lockton had another good game at Hooker as well as leading his side whilst his Vice Captain and current Man of Steel Mark Robinson looked very sharp as always enjoying the freedom he had at loose Forward. All in all a great performance against a strong Police side which will boost the team’s confidence going into the second round draw.

GB Police: Alex Clemie, Phil Green, Chris Sheffield, Darrel Rotherham, Danny Armstrong, Rob Gallacher, Danny Rowland, Phil Collier, Lee Higgins, Nathan Owen, Jamie Mann, Jason Southwell, Alex Daniels, Ryan Healy, Tom Taylor, Earl Gorman, Gary Johnston