Old Crossleyans RUFC

In front of a modest yet vocal crowd the Old Crossleyans conceded the most points of the season in a match, a whopping 60 but scored five tries themselves to earn a bonus point. The Crocs had a much-changed backline from the week before with five of last week's backs unavailable. Crocs also had two players making their debut, Cameron Smith and Jymel Coleman.

Crocs kicked-off into the wind and it didn’t take long for rampant Moortown to cross Crocs line, but they were held up. After the resulting goal line drop out Moortown managed to score in the corner after just six minutes. The conversion missed 5-0 to Moortown.

The restart was kicked to touch by Moortown and after a successful lineout and good carry by centre Ross Peltier and scrum half Jack Lumb, Crocs earned a penalty that was kicked to the corner. Crocs knocked the ball on however, and Moortown were able to clear their lines.

Ruthless Moortown scored again after fifteen minutes from a cross field kick. The try converted. 12-0 to Moortown.

In a very unfortunate incident nineteen minutes in, scrum half Jack Lumb and winger Fred Woodhouse clashed heads, both tackling the same player. Being head injury's, both players were unable to take anymore part in the game and were replaced by Dan Smith and Jake Smith. Jack Hammond moved to the fly half role and debutant Jymel Coleman moved to the scrum half berth.

Crocs were under pressure on their line but defended hard and eventually earned a turnover which was kicked to touch by Callum Dunne affording Crocs some breathing space. Crocs continued to defend hard but soon after, Moortown were able to score their third try of the half. 17-0 to Moortown.

A promising attack built up from Crocs as Peltier tried to run the ball from his own 22 and was able to offload to Josh Hunt but Hunts kick forward was well fielded by the Moortown Full back who kicked to touch. The lineout was won by Crocs and after forming a maul Cameron Brannan was able to make a run but was tacked. The support simply wasn't there and Moortown earned a penalty.

Crocs best play of the day came on the thirty minutes mark when Crocs were able to run the ball out of their own 22. There were notable carries from Gerorge Hammond, George Banham, Boj Sembi, Jack Hammond and Dan Smith as the Crocs worked their way, phase after phase down the field. Eventually, Crocs were awarded a penalty. Kicked to the corner by Coleman, the lineout brought down and after carries by Brad O’ Leary and Boj Sembi George Banham Crossed for Crocs first try. The conversion missed 17-5.

Crocs looked assertive after the restart making good carries in midfield. Jymel Colman kicked to Moortown’s corner putting the Moortown full back under pressure and having no choice but to kick the ball out of play. From the lineout Gordon Coogan spotted a gap and dived over for the try. The conversion missed, score 17-10.

From the restart Crocs looked confident. Jack Hammond made a break and offloaded to Nuttall but again the support just wasn't there. The ball was eventually lost forward and Moortown showed how ruthless they could be as from that one mistake Moortown scored just before half time, making the score 24-10 going into the break.

Just after half time Tom Metcalf was yellow carded for allegedly prompting the referee. Shortly after Moortown's nippy fullback danced his way through Old Crossleyans would be tacklers to touch down. The conversion was missed making the score 29-10.

Moortown scored three times in quick succession making the score 46-10. Moortown’s fluid style of play, capable passing and fast backs made any chance of a win from the visiting team slim by the fifty-five-minute mark.

A loose ball was well picked up by Dan Smith and taken on by George Banham eventually found Gordon Coogan who was high tackled. The ball was kicked to the corner by Coleman. From the lineout Crocs formed a maul where Cameron Brannan was able to cross from short range. The conversion from Callum Dunne hit the post and went over making the score 46-17.

In response Moortown scored a converted try making the score 53-17. Shortly after Jack Hammond was awarded a yellow for prompting the referee. A frustrated Callum Dunne was also yellow carded for a no arms tackle putting the Crocs down to 13 men. Moortown used the extra men advantage to score their final try of the day making the score 60-17.

Moortown launched another attack out wide, but Josh Hunt made a top-drawer interception. Stealing the ball and racing to the try line to score for the bonus point try. The conversion was missed making the score 60-22.

The final score of the day came from a Crocs scrum in Moortowns 22 where Ross Peltier barged his way over from short range for a converted try.