Old Crossleyans RUFC

Old Crossleyans suffered a disappointing defeat in a crucial match against Malton & Norton, a team they had narrowly lost to earlier in the season. Back in November, the Crocs were edged out 24-26 at home, missing a last-minute conversion that would have secured a well-earned draw. This time, however, they never got going, delivering a lacklustre performance that left them well beaten.

Playing with the sun at their backs, the Crocs found themselves trailing 21-0 within the first 30 minutes. Struggling to gain any foothold in the game, they were under constant pressure from a dominant Malton & Norton pack. However, a crunching tackle from man of the match Ellis Nuttall just before half-time denied the hosts a fourth try and a potential bonus point before the break.

A moment of brilliance from Josh Hunt shattered Malton & Norton’s defensive line as he powered through before offloading to Jack Hammond. Hammond quickly returned the ball to Hunt, who then found Matthew Beswick in support. Beswick raced through unchallenged to score a stunning converted try—the best of the game.

Frustration boiled over for the Crocs as a yellow card on the hour mark left them a man down, allowing Malton & Norton to capitalize and score two more tries.

Crocs came close to scoring a second try just before the final whistle but opted to kick possession away, concluding a poor day for the visitors.

It’s worth noting that the Crocs were missing several key senior players, a frustrating setback given their current league position. Adding to their woes, a knee injury to Joel Mcfarlane could spell the end of his season, while the club bids a sad farewell to Topo Busso. With a crucial fixture against Moortown on March 22nd, the Crocs must use their weekend off to regroup, refocus, and prepare for the challenge ahead.