Crosfields ARLFC

The team competed throughout the 5omins against a Halton team going for the First Division title. The team were weakened by a few injuries going into the game and never fully handled the strong running second row and the distribution skills and organisation of the Halton half backs. This gave Halton better g0-forward and SOAP were constantly on the back foot when defending. Positives were another good game for Little in attack and defence, a fine defensive effort from Comer and the determination of the whole team in the second half to compete with a fine and deserved title winning Halton team.

FINAL SCORE:  Crosfields 0 – Halton F.H. 22

Team: Perrin, Thomason, Little, Radley, Comer, Clutterbuck, Taylor, Jepson, Rice, Millington, Owen, Stapleton, Chilton, Williams, Jennings, Whittaker and Jefferies.

Popularity: 1% [?]

The team arrived early and prepared well for the game. After absorbing some early pressure from our Oldham hosts the team settled into the armwrestle and began to win the field position battle. Off the back of some determined forward surges, the ball spread right through hands with Little releasing Whittaker to score an excellent team try in the right corner. The difficult conversion in the windy conditions was superbly kicked by Clutterbuck to give the team a handy 6 point lead. This lead to a real good spell for the team, and off the back of some conserted pressure, Clutterbuck kicked through the advancing defensive line and Spedding caught the bouncing ball at pace to plunge over the try line and give SOAP a 10 point lead going into half time.

More of the same was asked and demanded in the second half off the team, but the lads never quite reached the heights or intensity of the first 25 mins. This gave our hosts a sniff of glory and the game developed into a battle royal. Both teams went at each other with vigour, with the “big” Waterhead centre scoring 2 tries to bring the score to 10 – 8 in SOAP’s favour with minutes remaining. Waterhead’s No. 7 then scored an excellent individual try to win the game for his team, breaking the defensive line close to halfway and outpacing defenders on his way to the line. With seconds remaining, Radley released Spedding close to the line and some immense scrambling defence just kept the captain out, to leave the final score 14 – 10 to Waterhead.

A lot was at stake for both teams, and although the team were very disappointed at the end, credit must be given to the Waterhead team for never giving up the ghost. Soap needed to score first in the second half and this may have given us an unassailable lead, but unfortunately lightning can strike twice, the game being very similar to our game the previous week against Leigh East. Both teams were a credit to themselves, their parents, coaches and the NWC League.

Team:

Perrin, Whittaker, Little, Spedding, Thomason, Radley, Taylor, Jepson, Rice, Sinton, Chilton, Stapleton, Clutterbuck, Owen, Jennings, Williams and Comer.

Popularity: 1% [?]

A first home league defeat for the team this morning in a tightly contested game over at St Gregs school against our visitors from Leigh.

Defensively the team were a lot better than our last outing at Chorley, getting numbers in the tackle, but techniques at times left a bit to be desired and incurred the wrath of the referee several times. This cost us a lot of good field position and momentum, which in such a tight game led to the disappointing end result. Offensively at times, the team played as well as they have all season, especially leading up to half time, expressing themselves well and moving the ball around the field with some aplomb.

East took the lead at the 5 minute mark with a converted try after an even opening period of both teams testing each other. This sparked the team into life, with a period of SOAP possession and field position. Stapleton gained the hard yards and Little went from half back 10 yards out to score with Clutterbuck adding the extras to tie the game up. This then led to our best period of the game where the team played with confidence and composure and resulted in a fine passing movement from a scrum, across the field through hands and Radley fed Spedding who ghosted into the corner to give SOAP a 10 - 6 half time lead.

The lads were flying at this stage and with a bit more composure could and should have stretched the lead to 2 scores, but mistakes and penalties conceded allowed Easts back into the game as doubt, pressure and a bit of indiscipline got to the SOAP team. The opposition scored 2 tries with 1 converted to take the 2 points on offer and leave the final score Crosfields 10 – Leigh East 16.

Team:

Perrin, Whittaker, Little, Spedding, Comer, Radley, Taylor, Jepson, Clutterbuck, Millington, Sinton, Stapleton, Chilton, Comer, Jennings, Rice, Thomason and Williams.

Popularity: 5% [?]

A disappointing result today for Crosfields against a Chorley team pushing for promotion to the Premier Division.

Chorley wanted the 2 points a little more than the SOAP boys in the end. The team competed valiantly for the full 50 mins and gained good field position throughout the game, but a combination of poor decision making, players carrying the ball in isolation when in possession, linespeed and consistency in defence and stout defence by the opposition kept our team scoreless on the day. Credit where credit is due, Chorley fully deserved their win, but with the team only 4 points adrift going into the second half an early score for SOAP could have made this a different game and scoreline. Mentions for Stapleton and Little who worked tirelessly in attack and defence for the team.

Team:

Perrin, Thomason, Little, Spedding, Comer, Radley, Taylor, Jepson, Clutterbuck, Millington, Sinton, Stapleton, Chilton, Jennings, Williams and Rice.

Popularity: 1% [?]

The team were greeted with the sight of “Lee Briers” on arrival at Thatto Heath’s clubhouse. Hopefully the mutual inspiration gained from this chance meeting would have the right bearing on both teams results on the day!!

The team prepared well before the game and from the off fired into the opposition who were man for man, one of the physically biggest teams we have faced this season. Chances were spurned to open the scoring in the first 15 mins and a bit of indiscipline allowed the Crusaders field position following back to back penalties. This led to a sustained period of pressure by Thatto but the lads stood strong and made the tackles that had to be made. After a brief respite and ”another penalty”, Thatto tried to move the ball left early in the tackle count. Little stepped up reading the play, intercepted and galloped 50m to the posts to open the score with Radley tagging on the extras to leave the half time score 0 – 6.

The second half started in similar vein, but gradually SOAP began to win the field position battle and after a disallowed try due to the poor pitch markings, SOAP struck after a scrum. The ball was shifted through hands left and Radley straightened and held the Thatto winger before passing wide to Perrin who plunged over in the corner 0 – 10. The team now started to fully express themselves, but were briefly pegged back by a fine try in the left corner 4 – 10. This was the only minor blip on the day and the team  undaunted, regained their composure to score 2 great tries by Williams with a terrific conversion by Clutterbuck from near the touchline and a typical effort from distance by Spedding.  Thatto contributed in no small way to a fine and keenly contested game and were a credit to themselves, their club, their coaches and parents. Defensively the team were awesome today with the forwards contributing massively to the tackle count which is really pleasing and the composure, speed and footwork shown around the ruck area when in possession ultimately won the game. Well done all!!

Team:

Perrin, Whittaker, Little, Spedding, Comer, Radley, Taylor, Jepson, Clutterbuck, Millington, Sinton, Stapleton, Chilton, Owen, Thomason, Jennings, Williams and Rice.

Tries:

Little, Perrin, Williams and Spedding.

Goals:

Radley and Clutterbuck.

Popularity: 3% [?]

After a 9 week enforced break, SOAP returned to action against our visitors from St Helens. The opposition had also not had any games for a considerable time, but the pitch and weather contributed to a close keenly contested game played in great spirit throughout and well refereed by the young official.

SOAP started well, getting into the armwrestle early and containing  Brooks early forward momentum and after gaining field position were unlucky not to take the lead when Jepson lost the ball with the line at his mercy and a potential 6 point lead. Back came Brook, SOAP generally containing  the opposition for their first 4 tackles on each set, but when they moved the ball through hands into the wider channels our sliding defence was slightly exposed. Brook raced into a 12 point lead, but SOAP responded in great fashion to reply in the last minute of the half. After a spell of pressure in the Brook 20m zone, a smart kick from Clutterbuck was pounced on by Spedding to leave the score at the break.

Crosfields 4 – Blackbrook 12

The second half was a lot closer and SOAP needed to score first to put a squeeze on Brook, but after a spell of pressure a try was conceded out wide extending the oppositions lead to 12 points. Back came SOAP and after a break by Spedding, a penalty and at the end of the set a knock on, from the scrum Spedding went close and following a quick PTB, Radley plunged over. Tails were up at this stage and SOAP took the game to Brook, but Brook proved their resolve and class to ride the SOAP STORM, responding with another try wide out. For the last few minutes SOAP continued to strive for the win and were rewarded with a smart try in the corner for Comer following another excellent crossfield kick from Clutterbuck to leave the final score.

Crosfields 12 – Blackbrook 20

In summing up, although defeated today, all 18 lads gave their all against a well drilled, well coached and individually talented team from St Helens who we wish all the best to in their quest for 3 trophies this season.

Team:

Perrin, Whittaker, Little, Spedding, Thomason, Radley, Taylor, Jepson, Clutterbuck, Millington, Owen, Stapleton, Chilton, Comer, Jennings,Rice, Sinton and Williams.

Popularity: 3% [?]

TEAM: 

Popularity: 2% [?]

This was a very close game against our Premier Division opposition which the score suggests. Previous games between the teams have always been close and the team prepared well in 2 training sessions ready for this 2nd round Lancashire Cup match. It was also a game of 2 halves in that both teams used the slope on the pitch to each others advantage.

SOAP came out of the blocks in determined fashion and gradually began to win the field position battle. Clockface defended their 20m zone with tenacity and it took a piece of inspired play from Moore with a smart kick and chase close to the line to register the first points 5 minutes to half time. H/T  Clockface 0 – Crosfields 4

We knew it would be tough in the 2nd half and so it proved. With the slope in  their favour Clockface  examined every facet of our defensive structure and desire. Wave after wave of attacks were repelled with composure and determined defence, with the occasional break from the boys relieving the pressure, but the defensive dam eventually gave in and a try was conceded in our right hand corner with minutes left. The team managed to get into field goal range with a minute left, but unfortunately the chance was missed and the game finished tied at 4 points each.

The game went into 5 minutes each way of extra time and in the 2nd half of extra time Clockface scored to win the game.

The teams defence was awesome at times today, with each player really earning their crusts and putting in a great effort. Also a mention for debut players Little and Whittaker in a “baptism of fire” that bodes well for the future. We wish Clockface all the best in their quarter final this weekend against Widnes Moorfield

Team :  Perrin, Thomason, Little, Spedding, Whittaker, Radley, Taylor, Jepson, Moore, Millington, Owen, Stapleton, Clutterbuck, Jennings, Sinton, Chilton and Williams.

Popularity: 3% [?]

The team returned to action after a 2 weekend break against opposition from Runcorn.  SOAP were quick out of the blocks and scored at regular intervals throughout the 50 mins. At times the combinations in midfield worked well and the ball was shifted wide after good forward drives and quick PTB’s set decent field position. It was also nice to see some new faces getting on the score sheet and will only help with the self confidence of all the group. In all a good workout against a “competitive” Runcorn team leaving the final score 42-0.

Tries:   Spedding (4), Taylor, Sinton, Chilton, Moore and Radley

Goals:   Clutterbuck  3/9

Popularity: 1% [?]

A vast improvement defensively from the team today. Although the result did not go our way, there were still many positives taken from the game. Halton were formidable opposition on the day and certainly the most complete team we have faced so far, so defeat has to be accepted sometimes and learnt from. I know the team will not play as well in the future and still pick up points, which shows the strengths of the Halton FH team.

The lads competed well in the first half to restrict the opposition to 2 unconverted tries, with a further 3 following in the second half, one converted to leave the final score 22-0. Halton were made to work hard for each of their tries and great credit to all the lads for never giving up the cause.

We have a couple of free weekends now and 6 training sessions to get ourselves ready for our next game which could be the 1st round of the Lancashire Cup.

Popularity: 11% [?]