Sat 21 Sep 2024
Old Crossleyans 1XV 12 – 10 Goole
Crocs welcome first win of the season
After two previous defeats at home, Old Crossleyans arrived in Goole in desperate need to get their first win. Crocs were strengthened by seasonal debuts from Dan Smith and Josh Hunt. A last-minute injury to centre Matthew Beswick resulted in coach Jack Hammond making himself available.
Crocs were mostly on the defensive for the first half, with Goole looking extremely comfortable in possession. However, it was Crocs who got the first chance to get points on the board when James Johnson got the chance for a kickable penalty at the 30-minute mark which resulted in a rare miss for Johnson.
Pressure continued for the Crocs and the deadlock was eventually broken when Goole's nippy number 15 Tom Halliday made a break and eventually found Goole's man of the match winger Aaron Jerry-Murry who had an easy run in. The conversion was missed.
Crocs first real attack of the match came just before half-time when quick lineout ball enabled Joal McFarlane to reach out and score near the posts. The conversion by Johnson was successful. 7-5
As was the case the week before, Crocs stepped up a gear in the second half and had the majority of possession. Good work by Jack Hammond and George Banham kept the Goole's defence honest and it wasn't long into the second half when Chris Vine’s pass found James Johnson out wide, who was able to break away for a 70 yard try out wide. The conversion was missed, making the score 12-5.
With just four minutes remaining, Goole scored a try via a cross-field kick to winger Aaron Jerry-Murry who had an easy touchdown in the corner. Fortunately for the Crocs, the conversion was missed keeping the score 10-12. Goole had one final chance to clinch the win but the attack was stopped when Crocs back of the match Alex Thompson dragged in his opposite man into touch.
The win puts Crocs into eighth place in the table and they will face a very tough test next week when undefeated Rochdale visit Broomfield.
