Sat 21 Mar 2026, 15:00
Old Crossleyans Fall to Narrow Defeat in Broomfield Thriller
Old Crossleyans 27 – 28 Malton and Norton
Old Crossleyans were left to rue a series of first-half errors as they slipped to a heartbreaking 27–28 defeat against Malton & Norton at a sun-drenched Broomfield on Saturday. Despite a spirited second-half fightback, the "Crocs" fell just a single point short in a Regional 2 North East encounter that went down to the final play.
The hosts struggled for rhythm early on, and a clinical Malton side took full advantage, crossing twice to establish a 0-10 lead. The Crocs found a lifeline when Alex Thompson spotted a gap from a quick Chris Vine penalty, powering through untouched to get the hosts on the board. However, a Malton penalty shortly before the interval left the score 5-13 at the break.
The mountain grew steeper after the restart as the visitors extended their lead to 5-20. Spurred on by the home faithful, Crossleyans finally found their gear. A well-worked move saw Josh Hunt feed James Johnson, who finished well in the corner. Momentum shifted further when sustained forward pressure allowed captain Tom Metcalfe to force his way over, with Johnson’s conversion narrowing the gap to 17-20.
Though Malton responded with an unconverted try, the Crocs hit back immediately. Jacob Pollard powered over from close range following a dominant carry, and Johnson’s conversion brought the hosts within a point. A subsequent Johnson penalty edged Crocs into a 27–25 lead with minutes remaining, but Malton regained the advantage with a penalty of their own that clipped the post on its way through.
In a frantic finale, the Crocs launched one last attack, only for a judged knock-on to end the comeback in cruel fashion. While the loss is a blow, the four-try bonus point and losing bonus point could prove vital in the relegation battle, especially with results elsewhere keeping the gap to safety bridgeable.
The match also marked the final appearance of the season for Sebastiano da Silva. Now in his second season at Broomfield, da Silva has been a standout performer, forming a formidable second-row partnership with George Banham. Known for always giving 100%, his work rate will be missed as the side enters its final two fixtures.
Tries: Thompson, Johnson, Metcalfe, Pollard. Conversions: Johnson (2). Penalty: Johnson.
