Slipshod Crocs beaten again

The home side cashed in on their sloppy play, snapping up loose balls to run in tries on their big pitch at an impressive venue near Leeds/Bradford airport.

Home stand-off Eddie Crossland had a field day, starting with a penalty which was soon matched by Crocs marksman Ryan Sweeney.

Play swung from end to end, with inaccurate passing from both sides, before a fracas which resulted in a player from each side being red carded.

Play was fairly even but West Park, relegated with Crocs last season, took a 10-3 lead after 30 minutes with a breakaway try from flanker Joe Lowes under the sticks, converted by Crossland.

A forward pass denied Zane Sanders a try scoring opportunity and Sweeney’s long-range penalty faded wide.

Crocs tried the rolling maul without success down the slope after the break before West Park extended their lead on 45 minutes.

The visitors failed to field the ball from a high kick on half-way and Crossland raced away to the posts with Crocs claiming he had knocked on. The goal was added.

The Broomfield men’s task grew larger on 53 minutes when they lost the ball in contact wide out and centre Mason Knowles scored at the side of the posts, Crossland’s kick making it 24-3 on 53 minutes.

When a Crocs move up the right broke down the home side again cashed in through winger Saul Livesey but Crossland couldn’t convert.

Lock Kev McGill was to the fore for Crocs but handling errors were proving costly.

However, the visitors pressed via a penalty to the corner and then a second award, their man of the match and No 8 Oliver Coyne picking up from a scrum and barging over the line. Sweeney converted on 70 minutes.

West Park’s final try summed up Crocs’ afternoon. The visitors spread the ball wide 30 metres from their own line but dropped it and West Park kicked through with Crossland winning the chase and adding the goal.