Sponsored by
Crocs dig deep to see off bottom side
Old Crossleyans 28 Aldwinians 23 A HOME clash against lowly Aldwinians appeared to offer Crocs the perfect opportunity to end a five game losing streak in North Two East.
They duly did so, but only after an almighty struggle in which they allowed the visitors to take a late lead and had to show all their character to pull a victory out of the fire which will hopefully act as a springboard to better things.
On paper, the game looked to be something of a formality for Crocs against a side who are still without a league point and who were soundly beaten in the reverse fixture.
But Crocs have not won since late November and are a side playing without confidence, and that clearly showed as they struggled to impose their authority on the encounter.
It had started well for the home side as nice kick by Chris Duffy and a strong carry from big forward Richard Thomas set up a position from which the visitors strayed offside and Neil Richardson converted the penalty to put Crossleyans ahead.
But from the restart, a mishandling gifted Aldwinians possession then a defensive misunderstanding in the centres then allowed the opposition to stroll under the posts for a converted try.
The home side took some time to reimpose their authority, but eventually the heavy Aldwinians pack failed to retreat behind the offside line, allowing Richardson to slot his second penalty of the afternoon.
The game finally sparked into life on 20 minutes as the Crossleyans backline produced a fine move in which Jack Hammond gave brother Ryan a lovely pass and he found James Wainwright on the inside.
Though the winger was held just short, from the ensuing ruck Jack Hammond was able to snake his way under the posts, with Richardson's conversion putting Crocs 13-10 up.
That lead was further extended by another Richardson penalty after Ryan Hammond and captain Manny Riaz produced some aggressive counter rucking, but from then on, Crocs started to lose their way.
A niggly period saw both stand-offs yellow carded then the otherwise excellent Thomas was sin binned for a series of infringements, but great resolve by the home forwards kept the visitors out up to the break.
A debatable penalty early in the second half cut the home advantage to 16-13, and Aldwinians then took full advantage of the foothold their half backs established when with no apparent danger, their stand-off produced a freak moment of brilliance as he chipped over the cover to gather his own kick and touch down.
A superb 70 metre run by Jack Hammond set the home side up to strike back almost immediately, but the chance was squandered and as Aldwinians surged back upfield, the same player's pass was intercepted and the visitors touched down to extend their lead to 23-16 and time running out.
A lesser team may have folded at this stage but Chris Wood produced a superb steal from the line-out, which gave the home side quick ball and right on cue, up stepped Jack Hammond who beat several defenders in a classy 60 metre score which Richardson improved to tie the scores.
And Hammond was not finished yet and another storming run saw him link Mark Thomas and then ghost in on the blind side to pick up the return ball and steal in for the score which clinched a welcome win for Crocs.
A lesser team may have folded at this stage but Chris Wood produced a superb steal from the line-out, which gave the home side quick ball and right on cue, up stepped Jack Hammond who beat several defenders in a classy 60 metre score which Richardson improved to tie the scores.
And Hammond was not finished yet and another storming run saw him link Mark Thomas and then ghost in on the blind side to pick up the return ball and steal in for the score which clinched a welcome win for Crocs.
Email to a friend
Print this page- A58 crash UPDATE: road now re-open after man hit by car earlier this morning
- Crash on the A58 in Halifax this morning UPDATE: Man in hospital with several broken bones
- Taxi worker dies aged 35 after finishing his shift
- Man suffers serious injuries in accident on M62
- How the new Halifax Central Library will look
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Halifax
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Fog
Temperature: -6 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
