Big finish earns Crocs a point

They lost 24-21 at Settle in Yorkshire One, but were left wondering what might have been after hitting back from 24-0 down entering the last quarter.

The Broomfield men, well beaten in their opener at Old Brodleians, had a youthful back line supplemented by Calderdale College youngsters Jake Smith, George Hulme, Ryan Sweeney and Richard McCauley.

Ribb, who like the visitors had been forced to concede a Yorkshire Shield tie recently, took the lead with a 10th minute penalty from winger Steve Moon and stretched their advantage with a converted try from centre Jonny Moore on 17 minutes.

Some frantic play from both teams included plenty of errors but the hosts were firmly in charge and Moon almost extended their lead with a run from half-way.

It took the Broomfield men 30 minutes to launch their first raid through Gareth Sweeney, Declan Hampson and Raman Sembi.

Ribb extended their lead with a good try from centre Angus Carr, converted by Moon, and Luke Saltonstall went close for Crocs before the break.

When sub Ryan Gill scored for the hosts four minutes after the restart and Moon’s kick made it 24-0, it looked game over for the visitors.

However, the introduction of their former player Richard Jowett into the stand-off role made a huge difference.

His inside pass enabled Saltonstall to go under the posts and Ryan Sweeney converted with 15 minutes to go.

Jowett and Ryan Sweeney set up Saltonstall for his second with time running out and James Wainwright then scored in the corner, Sweeney converting both tries superbly.

Crocs were unable to grab the spoils but trooped off lifted by their strong finish to the game.