Broadstreet Outwitt Hefty Opponents 

STREET outwitted their hefty opponents to claim an ultimately commanding victory that maintains their title push. The pattern was set early when the Coventry men declined a kickable penalty, scrum-half Nick Thatcher’s opportunism sparking a back-line combination that sent Perry Pudge across in the corner.

Although further pressure enabled Danny Richards to log three penalties, South fly-half Mark Lord cashed in on some Street indiscipline to keep his side in touch with a 14-6 half time scoreline. This scoreline was reduced to 14-9 when Somerset referee Clair Daniels penalised Street for not rolling away after a tackle and Lord again obliged. And although Richards struck again when lock James Mathews was sin-binned for persistent infringements, Street were in turn reduced to 14 men when back row Simon Morris overstepped the mark.

The game looked in the balance at that stage, but Street racked up the pressure and made a decisive breakthrough when winger Jordan Simpson crowned an exciting move in the corner. Centre Alex Crofts then burst through to set up the tireless Ady Hall for a converted try under the posts. And with the introduction of Lynsey Bishop adding fresh impetus in the centre, Richards’s delicate cross-kick kick cleared Hunt’s path to the corner.

Back To Within A Point

BROADSTREET subdued a spirited Hinckley to log a victory that leaves them a point behind the league leaders.

The visitors broke through in the 10th minute when full-back Andy McGrory’s run was halted two metres short but he fed hooker Carl Southwell who hurled himself over the line for a try converted by Danny Richards.

The fly-half added a penalty following a rucking offence from which Hinckley were temporarily reduced to 14 men. Despite that handicap the home side hit back with a superb solo try by Will Keeling who converted it for good measure.

Another Richards penalty made it 13-7 at half time and, although forced to reshuffle when No.8 Ady Hall went off with a back injury, Street stretched their lead when centre Gary Challis crossed in the corner after good work by back row Nigel Mukerati.

A home penalty was eclipsed as winger James Hunt logged a clever try but Hinckley responded with their best moment, winger Sam Swift skirting a string of would-be tacklers to set up consistent Tom Sanderson.

Any hopes of a sustained recovery were dashed, however, as Street finished strongly, Richards slotting home another penalty and converting when Nick Thatcher’s perfectly-weighted kick sent in Perry Pudge.

Crofts Late Surge Seals Cup Shock

BROADSTREET stormed on into the third round of the EDF energy National Trophy. Flying high in Midland One, The Street performed with a maturity worthy of promotion to the national Division Three North. Huddersfield capitulated after just 2 minutes when inside centre Gary Challis hacked on to a slide over. The Street pack got on top and disrupted the visitor’s line out but defensive frailties let them down on eight minutes. Ben Paxman catching Johnsons cross-field kick to score. Both outside halfs missed penalties in difficult conditions but it was the home side that doubled their lead on 24 minutes.
Andy McGrory found support in numbers when he was stopped five metres short, Nick Thatcher kept the momentum going before Nigel Mukarati took a short ball from Danny Richards to score.
Broadstreet’s dynamism left Huddersfield ragged and towards half time they won two consecutive scrums against the head. Huddersfield returned the stronger team and immediately overturned a scrum five metres out. a long pass by Hinchcliffe created space for Johnson who dummied to score. Johnson converting his own try to bring the score level.
Numerous handling errors put the visitors under pressure but it was a glorious move that cut open their defence on 56 minutes. Alex Crofts came from deep to take a weighted pass from Simon 'Mozzer' Morris and crash over. The Street pushing forwards for the final quarter attempting to gain additional points as both Danny Richards and Andy McGrory missed drop goal attempts.

Street Too Hot To Handle

A blistering first 20 minutes all but put this game beyond the reach of the visitors from Kettering. With only 15 minutes on the clock the Street were leading 31-0 and in complete control. Tries by Man of the match Nick Thatcher on 3 and 9 minutes were matched by the impressive Alex Crofts who scored on 6 and 7 minutes respectively.Dan Richards managed to kick two of the conversions. Broadstreet were playing fast open rugby with a lot of enterprise and were again reward with a well worked try from fly half Richards who added the conversion on 15 minutes to his try. A spell of pressure by the visitors as the trundled up the field with close passages of play by their big forwards. These attacks were repelled by some excellent defensive work by the Street players. The game then entered a dull patch in relation to the opening period with the Street playing an unfamiliar game pattern and to some extent a switching off and resting on their laurels. On 30 minutes street were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which Richards slotted over with apparent ease.Street were now starting to coast and not putting as much work in that the game needed, although just enough for Andy Mcgrory to score under the posts on the stroke of half time for Richards to convert.

Half Time 41-0

A subdued start to the second half. With much of the play in the centre of the field. The performance was nothing like that of the first half and was only highlighted in brief spells. A much deserved try by the hard working Garry Challis on 55 minutes to show any thing like that of the first period. Then came the visitors only score of the game. Bridgeman playing at fly half went over in the corner on 60 minutes ,but was unable to convert his try. The game was petering out when Thatcher now playing at centre cut through the defence to score his hat trick on 76 minutes. An easy conversion for Richards taking the final score to 53-5.