Sat 26 Sep 2026
Old Otliensians 34–31 Old Crossleyans
Crocs Come Close in Counties 1 Opener
Old Crossleyans began their Counties 1 Yorkshire campaign with a narrow 34–31 defeat against Old Otliensians at Chaffers Field on Saturday.
The meeting was the first competitive fixture between the two clubs for several years, with Otliensians having progressed through the Yorkshire leagues in recent seasons, winning three consecutive league titles on their way from Counties 4 Yorkshire to Counties 1.
Playing into the wind, Crossleyans made a positive start and were rewarded when Joe Gallagher released Alex Thompson from a scrum. Thompson found a good angle to beat the defence and finished under the posts, with James Johnson adding the conversion.
Strong defensive work kept the hosts under pressure, while the Crossleyans scrum also provided a solid platform. Otliensians reduced the deficit with a penalty before taking the lead with a converted try.
Crossleyans continued to threaten and regained the advantage when Thompson finished in the corner following good pressure from the pack. The conversion was missed, leaving the visitors 12–10 ahead.
Otliensians responded with a try out wide shortly before half-time to take a 15–12 lead into the interval.
The hosts extended their advantage early in the second half after a strong break from Josh Hunt had taken Crossleyans deep into the Otliensians 22. The ball was lost, however, allowing the hosts to break away and score at the other end.
Crossleyans responded through Harry Drennan, who finished from close range after an excellent break from Joshua “Peanut” Walker created quick ball near the line.
Otliensians added two further tries to move 34–17 ahead, but Crossleyans refused to let the game go.
Thompson chipped ahead and was impeded as he chased the ball, resulting in a penalty try to reduce the deficit to 34–24. James Johnson then made an excellent break and almost created another score, with Chris Vine stopped just short of the line.
Successive penalties gave Crossleyans further pressure five metres from the Otliensians line, and Max Horsfall eventually powered through the middle to score, bringing the Crocs within three points.
Crossleyans pushed for a winning score in the closing stages, but Otliensians held firm to secure a 34–31 victory.
There were positive signs for the Crocs, particularly their scrum work and the character shown during the late fightback, as they now look to build on the performance during the remainder of the Counties 1 Yorkshire campaign.
