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Tony's try is worth the Waite
Old Crossleyans 14Aspatria 13 A late try from man of the match Tony Waite helped underdogs Old Crossleyans beat their Cumberland visitors in a thrilling finish.
The momentum of the previous week's friendly win over Rochdale was maintained with a team effort full of perseverence and grit.
This was Aspatria's first visit to Broomfield and their fourth place in North Two East reflected a good season which included an easy home win over Crocs in September.
A very strong wind blowing from the scoreboard end proved a significant factor. Both sides used it for long range kicks and it also interfered with line-out throws and passing movements.
Aspatria fielded a big side which, playing with the wind at their backs in the first half, pressed hard.
The visitors opening the scoring with a penalty under the posts from No 10 Mike Scott.
Crocs spent long periods in their half due to poor ball control and fell further behind after an Aspatria penalty to the bottom corner. From the lineout their South African scrum half Heinrich Jonker dummied and Scott crossed untouched, converting for a 10-0 lead.
Crocs started to combat the strong wind more effectively but after 30 minutes Aspatria increased their lead to 13-0 with a penalty from the halfway line.
Waite burst through and Crocs won a penalty near the posts. They chose a five metre scrum but the backs failed to cross.
High balls were testing Crocs' fullback and wingers but the forwards turned defence into attack and the backs, with Waite prominent, made line breaking runs supported by the Hammond brothers in the centre.
Aspatria failed with a 50 metre penalty before the New Zealand referee blew for the end of an extra long first half, which finished 13-0.
Crocs started the second half well and from a 22 metre scrum Waite made a great break but a three man overlap went begging when the wind caught a pass.
Aspatria pressed and Chris Wood made a vital interception 10 metres from his own line which James Wainwright supported.
Waite's long clearance resulted in a lineout 15 metres from Aspatria's line and Richard Thomas went on a weaving run and Waite fed Wainwright but the ball went to ground.
More Crocs pressure after 65 minutes resulted in a penalty in front of Aspatria's posts and fullback Ian Holmes made it 13-3.
Mark Thomas made a good tackle at the restart and Waite's massive kick took his team to five metres from their opponents' line. Handling in a ruck enabled Holmes to kick a penalty.
The restart was well caught by Crocs forwards but another three points went begging when a tap penalty was wasted. However, dissent by Aspatria enabled Holmes to cut the deficit to four points.
An Aspatria drop goal failed and Ryan Hammond cleared.
Mark Thomas again excelled as Aspatria looked for a try to make the game safe but a penalty enabled Waite to kick for the corner and the stand off took a pass from substitute scrum half Chris Duffy and sidestepped inside the defence before powering over for a great try.
The conversion was missed and, deep in added time, Aspatria won a penalty 10 metres from touch on Crocs' 22 metre line but Scott's effort failed to reach the posts and Crocs gained some precious points in their fight against relegation.
Crocs seconds went down 33 - 10 against a better organised team at Keighley. However, dissent by Aspatria enabled Holmes to cut the deficit to four points.
An Aspatria drop goal failed and Ryan Hammond cleared.
Mark Thomas again excelled as Aspatria looked for a try to make the game safe but a penalty enabled Waite to kick for the corner and the stand off took a pass from substitute scrum half Chris Duffy and sidestepped inside the defence before powering over for a great try.
The conversion was missed and, deep in added time, Aspatria won a penalty 10 metres from touch on Crocs’ 22 metre line but Scott’s effort failed to reach the posts and Crocs gained some precious points in their fight against relegation.
Crocs seconds went down 33 - 10 against a better organised team at Keighley.
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Weather for Halifax
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
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