Crosfields ARLFC

The National Conference team  (Principlal Sponsors THE CHAPEL HOUSE (SANKEY) AND SQUIRREL PRODUCTIONS are at at home again this Saturday against Elland.  Kick off at 2.30.  Couple of points of particular interest in this game apart from the Rugby on the pitch is that Elland where involved in very low scoring 4-7 game last week against West Bowling  so it will be interesting to see if our boys can put some points past them and we have a female ref.  So any girls out there who think a woman can’t referee a Rugby League game come on Saturday and see how it’s done.

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4th September 2010

Crosfields entertained Cumbrian side Egremont Rangers in their first game of the National Conference Season.

Egremont began the game brightly with two good attacks on the Crosfields line

Within the first five minutes after defending well a knock on from Crosfields

within thirty metres of their own line gave Egremont possession and the chance

was turned into a try by hooker Leak converted by Ergremont man of the match loose forward Brocklebank

On twenty two minuets Crosfields opened their National Conference account with an

unconverted try from senior player Chris Newall.

Soap quickly started to hit the straps and two trys in quick succession from youngster Matt Thomas and half Richard Hough and a further converted try by the Cumbrians left the half time score finely balanced at     14-12

The first ten minutes of the second half was all Egremont with two quick try before Johnson opened the second half scoring for Soap converted by Matthew Thomas.

Barber scored what looked like the game breaker try after a strong drive down the right hand side again converted by Thomas and a try from Burgess also converted by Thomas left the score with nine minutes on the clock at 32-32.

With the game poised at 32-32 with eight minutes to go a sidestep from Egremont half Corkill opened up the Crosfields defence converted by Brocklebank and a final from Crekin meant the Cumbrians travelled back up the M6 with the spoils.

Crosfields

Pennington, Thomas, Linaker, Burgess, Ian Boden, Hough, Bannon, Lowe, Johnson, Inman, Pitt, Barber, Mahoney, Dave Boden, Newall, Tieboult,Tahraani

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National Conference League Division Two – Oldham St Anne’s 34 Crosfields 20

Crosfields certainly know how to change a winning position into a losing one, as this game against top of the table Oldham St Anne’s proved.

The home side got off to the better start, scoring after just 3 minutes. The game settled into a defence dominated period, with both teams looking solid. Crosfields put the early deficit behind them and registered points themselves mid-way through the half. A good drive from Matty Barber and penetrating run from Mike Johnson set the position. The ball was moved wide and Anthony Monk’s delayed pass put Chris Burgess through the gap for the try.

Just before the break, Oldham’s hooker broke through. Dave Pennington stopped him with a brilliant tackle, but the ball was moved quickly to the wing for a try.

Crosfields hit back immediately, Phil Bannon was inexplicably adjudged to be held up over the line, but Crosfields had the momentum and moved the ball to Burgess, who crashed his way over, for a half time score of 8-all.

From the kick off for the second half, Crosfields forced a scrum and worked solidly to the home side’s line. John Pickersgill showed great strength and determination, bouncing off a would-be big hit and then diving to the line between two defenders, to give his side the lead. Jimmy Williams converted for an 8-14 score.

St Anne’s hit back after some resolute defence from Crosfields, but then were caught out by some basic draw and pass movements, for the winger to score out wide. The missed conversion still had Crosfields leading at 12-14.

Pickersgill put himself about well after missing the last couple of games. He fed Monks, who raced through a gap, but was stopped short. Johnson also went close, before Pickersgill took up the challenge and forced his way over. Williams converted for 12-20.

St Anne’s picked up the pressure and went close again. Crosfields looked to have squashed the danger, but fell short, as the home side created an overlap, again scoring too wide for the conversion, but reduced the arrears at 16-20.

Cue self destruct.

Crosfields mounted another attack, but a chip through on the last went straight into the arms of an opposition player, who immediately put his foot down and raced 90 metres unchallenged, to score under the posts. St Anne’s finally converted to take the lead at 22-20.

Crosfields had plenty of time to regain the lead, but moved into a different mode of rugby, which didn’t include the word “patience”. Rushing plays to try and put the opposition on the back foot, Crosfields made unforced errors and gifted the opposition possession and position and St Anne’s are too good a side to refuse the offer.

A missed penalty to touch gave St Anne’s momentum. A long ball in midfield caught out the Crosfields’ defence, which up until that point had been unbeatable down the middle. With the defence split, St Anne’s scrum half raced under the posts. The conversion stretched the lead at 28-20.

With the game almost over, Crosfields desperation for points led to wrong men, in wrong places and errors were the result. St Anne’s forced a scrum deep in Crosfields territory and the momentum they had led to another try, when they moved the ball wide. The conversion made the final score 34-20.

A much improved performance on the week before. Crosfields worked hard and could have taken the game, but that fine line between controlled enthusiasm and being over enthusiastic, caught Crosfields out.

Mike Johnson gained the Crosfields man of the match award, whilst John Pickersgill looked dangerous from the bench.

Crosfields are at home to Castleford Lock Lane on Saturday, with a 1:00pm kick off.

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National Conference League – Division Two  -  Crosfields 10 Eccles and Salford Juniors 26

Crosfields’ first away win on the season in the previous match, was disappointingly followed by their first home defeat, against a solid and hard working Eccles and Salford Juniors side.

In a tight first half, the visitors scored early on, through Scott Bowden and late on, through Marc Jones, for a half time lead of 10-nil, but in-between Crosfields could have scored on several occasions, as the try line was begging, but the ball was dropped each time

The second half started badly for the home side, as slack tackling allowed Eccles to race 80 metres down the wing, before an inside pass put Ben Williamson in. Williamson was on hand to record a brace, before Martin Judge crossed to give his side a 22-nil lead.

As the game entered the final quarter, Crosfields finally managed to play with some composure and control and completed sets to build pressure. Anthony Monks went close, then combined with Matty Barber to send Phil Berry crashing to the line, taking three defenders over with him.

Eccles hit straight back with Payden Candland going over, before Crosfields mounted their final counter and a storming run from Barry Lowe saw him crash over. Jimmy Williams converted for a final score of Crosfields 10, Eccles and Salford Juniors 26.

Crosfields made too many errors throughout the game. Missing touch three times from penalties is something that should never be repeated.

Mike Johnson won the man of the match award, being one of the few sparks in a beaten side.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Williams masterful kicking display leads Crosfields to victory

Crosfields travelled to East Leeds and gained their first away win of the season in an intriguing battle, where Jimmy Williams 100% kicking rate proved to be a crucial factor.

East Leeds made the first breakthrough as Crosfields’ defence seemed to be still on the bus, allowing a prop forward to race 30 metres, before handing on to the supporting winger for a try.

Crosfields hit back, with Phil Bannon going close, before Dave Pennington stepped through the first line of defence, before finding Danny Inman, who crashed over despite three players hanging on. Williams first of 7 goals gave his side the lead.

East Leeds got on a roll and two more tries (one converted), to lead 14-6, before Crosfields hit back two minutes into injury time, when Bannon followed up a Williams kick, hacked on and then won the race to touch down. Both sides were reduced to 12, as the sin-bin kicked in for too much back chat. Half time score, East Leeds 14 Crosfields 12.

Crosfields dominated the opening of the second half, from the kick off. Matty Pitt drove out twice in the first three tackles, with Dave Lucas making good ground in between. With the Yorkshire outfit on the back foot, Mike Johnson picked up from acting half, split the defence and rounded the full back for a brilliant try.

Five minutes later they crossed again, as greater control of possession gave them good field position. Another chip through from Williams was collected by Richard Hough, who stormed past the full-back for a try. Williams’ conversions gave the visitors a 24-14 lead.

Crosfields lost Paul Clarke to the sin-bin, when his attempted tackle ended up in a trip. East Leeds picked up the momentum, but two brilliant pieces of defence from Phil Bannon (yes, it’s not a typo PHIL Bannon) as he raced back to tackle and hold up his opposite number over the try line. He then shot out of the line to stop a pass hitting the overlap and managed to gain the scrum feed.

The home side finally troubled the scorer, ironically as Crosfields were gaining the upper hand. A loose chip was collected by the centre, who raced 90 metres for a converted try, to reduce the deficit at 24-18

A big play was required from Crosfields to settle the nerves and up popped Matt Barber, whose barnstorming run took his team deep into opposition territory. Dave Boden managed to get to the play the ball, ball sensibly passed it to Johnson, who stepped through the retreating defence to score under the posts. 30-18

Terry Reid used his years and years and years of experience to slot over a drop goal (although someone may have changed my notes) to give his side a crucial three-score lead.

In the 80th minute Williams kicked a penalty, but 10 minutes later East Leeds, working hard to the end, scored another converted try, before the final whistle was blown after 15 minutes of injury time and a winning score to Crosfields of 33-24.

Johnson was awarded man of the match, but was ably supported by the rest of the team. Ian Lucas showed character after being left out of the Alliance team last week and then stepping into a torrid first half in the first team, but got to grips well in the second half.

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Crosfields ‘A’ picked up the local bragging rights with a fine vistory over neighbours Latchford

It was a close affair with the teams level 10-all at half time

Paul Clarke scored two tries in a man of the match performance in the second half to seal the victory, Latchford garbbed a consolation try in the final stages after picking up a loose pass

Crosfields ‘A’ fixture against Rylands ‘A’ next week has been postponed due to the Grand Final and are due at home against Blackpool the following week

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Inman picked up the Man of the Match award

Crosfields continued their fine form at home with rout against visitors from Wakfield

It was the vistors who started the scoring and a possible shock was on the cards as they took a 5 minute 4-nill lead. Soap hit back when a chip from Jimmy Williams was collected by Dave Pennington over the line for a well worked try. The scoring continued when Anthony Monks danced his way through would be tacklers to score. Williams supurb with the boot in windy conditions slotted the conversion for a 10-nil lead.

Danny Inman was next on the scoresheet for soap with Williams converting for a 16-4 lead.

Soap played some entertaining rugby with Phil Bannon finishing off a good team try as the ball shifted from one wing to the other. Williams hitting the conversion from the Touch Line for a 22-4 half time lead. It was Eastmoor who started the second half brightly and scored first after a terrible kick on the last by Soap was collected by the full back who raced 80m to score a converted try. David Boden marked his return to the side after suspension with a try under the sticks as he supported a Danny Inman break. Williams converted for a 28-10 lead.

Soap ground out the victory and grabbed another try shortly after again with Williams converting. Fraser Linaker wrapped up the scoring with a 80m interception after Eastmoor were building up some pressure on the Crosfields Line.

Anthony Monks shone in th middle, with Jimmy Williams’s top kicking, but Danny Inman picked up the man of the match award closely pipping Mike Johnson.

Crosfields are away to East Leeds next week with the coach scheduled to leave at 11am

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Crosfields Alliance 24 Folly Lane 14

Crosfields secured their second win in this “stop-start” season. With Rochdale Mayfield having withdrawn and Haydock given “two weeks grace” from fielding a side, Crosfields find themselves going into October with only two games under their belt, and further disruption beckoning with postponements being granted for the Grand Final and Four Nations Final.

Crosfields’ coaches dilemma started early on Saturday, with 23 players available for selection. A dilemma that they hope will have every week this season.

Crosfields dominated the opening of the game and took an 8-nil lead, thanks to tries from Darren “Razor” Reynolds and Steve Lowe, before Folly Lane hit back with an unconverted try.

Mike Redmond extended the lead, showing glimpses of his earlier years at the club and Alex Channock converted for a14-4 lead.

The home side then rested on their laurels and Folly Lane took advantage, with two more tries, one of which was converted, to level the scores at 14-all.

Wise words from Coach Meakin, put Crosfields back on track. Consecutive sets gave the home side the possession and position they needed, allowing Tom Caswell to force his way over the line, for a try.

The victory was secured, when Alan Tieboult was released on the outside and, with no-one in front of him, was able to cross the line and make the conversion easier for Lowe, who completed the scoring, with a fine 24-14 win.

Crosfields have the players to do very well in this division, but they do need to turn their possession into more points.

Redmond led his team well and was supported by Caswell, Neil Savage and Andy Butler, in particular, whilst Danny Allen and Lowe made a good partnership at half back.

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Popularity: 53% [?]

National Conference League Division Two – Crosfields 36 Waterhead 28

Crosfields maintained their unbeaten home run, after turning in an excellent second half performance.

Waterhead had the best of the opening phases, with two one on one ball steals leading directly to converted tries. In between Crosfields moved the ball wide and stretched the visitors’ defence and Phil Bannon looked to go on the outside, but he was deliberately tripped by his opposite number and the referee awarded a penalty try which Jimmy Williams converted.

Waterhead moved the ball around well and looked dangerous in attack. A great break and support, saw Waterhead race under the posts, but a superb effort from Anthony Monks looked as though he had forced a drop of the over the try line. The Crosfields crowd and touch judges were in agreement, but the referee decided that the ball had not been knocked on and was then grounded, so gave the try, for a 16-6 lead.

Crosfields worked hard to get back into the game and were rewarded a few minutes before the break. Having put the opposition on the back foot, the ball was moved quickly wide. A loose pass bounced kindly for Chris Burgess, who gathered and forced his way over. Williams converted for a half time deficit of 12-16.

Waterhead opened the second half well and within 10 minutes had extended the lead, as a break from half way was well supported and resulted in a converted try. 22-12.

After that point in was Crosfields all the way. Mike Johnson took the team forward with good distribution and elusive running. He was ably supported by his pack, who finally moved up into a gear they knew they were capable of reaching.

Crosfields built up pressure, but Waterhead defended well. Bannon looked as though he’d crossed the line, but was inches short. The pressure finally told, when a sharp ball from acting half hit Williams, who’s barn-storming run was reminiscent of Steve Pitchford of Leeds in the late 70s early 80s, and resulted in a try, which he then converted to reduce the arrears at 18-22.

Crosfields were on a roll. The pressure was built again on the opposition line and a carbon copy try the result, but this time with Matty Barber crashing over. Williams converted to give hi side the lead for the first time in the match, at 24-22.

Within the next set Crosfields were over again. John Pickersgill, in one of many strong runs, set up the position. Craig Noone took up the mantle and produced a miracle ball out of the tackle, from which Danny Inman took advantage and forced his way over. Williams converted for 30-22.

Johnson was rewarded for his efforts after the forwards had laid the platform and Anthony Monks making good ground to take play within metres of the try line. Johnson picked up from acting half and shot over the line, whilst the defence were still gathering. Williams converted to ensure victory was Crosfields.

The young Waterhead side didn’t let their heads drop and mounted a counter attack. Moving the ball well through the backs and gaining consecutive sets, as Crosfields defence worked overtime, the visiotrs were rewarded with a consolation try in the 80th minute. The conversion made the final score Crosfields 36 Waterhead 28.

Mike Johnson picked up the man of the match award, but there were excellent contribution all round, with Danny Inman, John Pickersgill and Dave Boden the pick of the forwards.

Crosfields are away to Shaw Cross Sharks on Saturday. Meet at Crosfields at 11:30am.

Popularity: 9% [?]