Crocs beaten but win back pride

It was a huge improvement on the humiliating 95-27 defeat on the east coast earlier in the season and the Broomfield men remain third from bottom of Yorkshire One with Selby losing 34-5 at Bradford Salem and West Park Leeds’ game at North Ribblesdale off.

Only 11 of the Crocs squad who played at Brid returned for the rematch and the home side competed well but Brid were more skilled and showed the greater cohesion.

Visiting left winger William Davies broke away to score an unconverted try after four minutes but the trusty boot of Ryan Sweeney landed a penalty for Crocs.

Two interception tries for Brid on 25 and 28 minutes left the hosts with a mountain to climb.

Scrum half Otis Floyd got the first and then stand off Matthew Welch went almost the length of the field and Steve Mellonby’s conversion made it 3-17.

Crocs had a further scare when Brid went over by the posts but the referee appeared to be unsighted before awarding Crocs a penalty.

Play swung from end to end before the home side got back into the hunt with a fine try from a tap penalty, Gareth Sweeney sending James Wainwright over and Ryan Sweeney converting to reduce the interval deficit to seven points.

Brid pressed hard after the break and although No 8 Matt Thorburn led strong resistance, prop Andrew Trowlove eventually scored an unconverted try to make it 10-22.

When Brid were penalised and marched back for dissent, Ryan Sweeney added three points to Crocs’ tally.

However, Welch easily jinked through for a 59th-minute try and Mellonby’s conversion left the gap at 16 points.

Crocs were awarded a penalty try, converted by Ryan Sweeney, with 15 minutes left after a prolonged forward assault.

That set up a hectic finale and both sides had spells on the attack with Crocs knocking on in an advanced position at the end.

Yorkshire Four leaders Halifax Vandals won 26-10 at Leeds Corinthians yesterday.

Halifax’s match at Leeds Medics and Dentists in the division above was postponed.