Crosfields ARLFC

Crosfields Masters will be rolling back the years on Sunday 15th November, as they enter a tournament at Clock Face. Any Masters* wanting to participate should contact CrsofieldsARLFC@yahoo.co.uk, or turn up for training at the club for 7:00pm on Thursdays.

Captain Bob Allan will be unavailable for the tournament, as he is about to have an operation, which will aid his desire to get back to full fitness. Birth certificates will be required, as the Captain will be assigned to the oldest most mature player on the day!

The Masters Tournaments are organised by Cliff Tamou, acknowledged to be one of the top referees in the amateur game. He recently refereed the Rugby League European Shield in Heurth, Nr Cologne, where Italy beat Germany 42-30.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Crosfields U9′s 16 v Newton Storm U9′s 16

An overcast but dry, windy Sunday, saw near neighbours Newton Storm the visitors to Hood Manor, for what turned out to be a fascinating game of rugby league. The last two meetings between these sides, saw only one try the difference in both matches, and this one proved just as tight.

A slightly smaller squad of 11 players took to the field, lighter due to holidays and illness, and captain Lewis Timperley, lost the toss, so we started on the defensive.

The awesome defence from last week was not as evident today, and we started badly again. Big B looked up for it, and was racking the tackles up, assisted well by Monty, Jamie and Rocky, who had his best game of the season. We kept them out and now had the ball, but that only lasted one tackle as the drive was dropped. Back on the defensive again, and further good hits by Cam, Jacob GALLOP and Hally saw us on the line on the last, and a simple scoot, sleepy defence and we were 1-0 down. The crowd and myself have now got used to this, we never score first, but not to worry, as the response was swift, and strong drives by Timps, Zak and in particular B, who was a handful all match, gave us the field position.  A long pass from Cam to Jacob, saw the ball bounce, but the hesitant defence was all he needed. He collected the loose ball, and glided past the outside cover, to score a fine try in the corner. 1-1.

This seemed to wake up the Cobras, and we lifted in defence, starting to move up, and get the big hits in, B, Jamie and Monty still first in there, making their presence felt. A mistake followed, after a great shot by B, and turnover ball saw Timps, Zak again, Hally, B and Cam take us down field for Hally to pass onto Jamie, who showed great acceleration, and a step to score 2-1.

The Storm came back, but again sturdy defence kept them out, and the next set saw us again attacking the try line,  Rocky heading for the corner seemed certain to score, but 3 defenders came out of nowhere, to bundle him into touch, just as he was about to ground the ball. Awesome cover tackling, which followed on from the same thing happening the previous set, when Jamie looked like he was going over, and he was driven back over the line-fantastic to see these youngsters putting their bodies on the line.

This visibly lifted the Storm, and good field position saw them run hard, and they were rewarded with a fine try, when they scattered 3 of our defenders, to crash over 2-2. Half Time.

I asked for us to raise our game, and move the ball quicker, and some players responded.

On the attack first and we couldn’t have asked for a better start, when on the first hit up, Big B, made the bust, and ran 40 yards to score a fantastic individual effort 3-2. Changes had been made at half time, and Zak went off for a rest, along with Jacob, and Tom WORTHINGTON and Dutchy HOLLAND came on. Now this little fella, Tom is like a jack in the box, and was everywhere immediately, getting great support still in the tackle from B, and a couple of sets followed, and the score remained the same. The Storm defence on our line was fantastic, and space was hard to come by, big hits the order of the day, but ground was made when Dutchy, Hally and Little Tom took us within striking distance, when today’s unluckiest player, Rocky, embarked on another mazy run, and in a repeat of the first half, looked like he was about to score, when again in the corner he got clattered into touch-brilliant to see. Excellent job Paul. The enthusiasm is just unbelievable. Not just one covering, four or five!!

Storm had upped their game and were rewarded with another equalizing try, after fine approach work; saw them crash over 3-3. End to end continued, but mistakes were still being made by both sides, Cobras not kicking on, and looked nervous with the ball in hand. Hally was having a quiet day, as was Jamie, who had taken a knock, but Brechan was still taking the fight to the Storm, and was again rewarded, with his second try, crashing through 3 sets of legs, to make the score 4-3.

Fine approach work again by Newton, saw them on our line on the last, and another scoot, saw the short side exposed, for the big no.7 to score. 4-4. Further stalemate followed, when a combination of strong defence, and poor option taking kept both sides out, for the score to finish 4-4.

A strange game for me, following on from the euphoria of last week, and I think that is because we expect too much of these young fellas. We have a rotational policy at the moment, which even though the lads are getting more game time, they are not playing with the same players week in week out, but are getting stronger. The less experienced players are stepping up, and improving at a great rate, which augers well for the future.  

Newton are a very good side, who cover tackled better than any side I have seen this season, and always ran hard, putting us on the back foot, time after time, and a draw was a fair result for the effort and commitment on show. It must be said also that we are still coming to grips with playing on a much smaller pitch, which will come. So all in all a pleasing performance by the team, and in particular some extremely strong individual performances. Well done all of you.

Man of the Match – Brechan STEPHENSON

Top Tackler – Brechan STEPHENSON

Players Player – Brechan STEPHENSON

Most Improved – Louis ROSSLYN

Coach’s Award – Tom WORTHINGTON

Scorers – Brechan STEPHENSON 2 tries, Jacob GALLOP and Jamie BARBER.

H.T. 8 -8.

F.T. 16 -16.

Popularity: 1% [?]

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.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Under 18s – Conference Pitch – 11.45am – Close Car Park

Under 17s – Alliance Pitch – 11.45am

Under 12s – New Pitch – 11.00am

Under 11s – Modified Pitch – 10.30am – Setup cones on Car Park

As always please make sure you only play on the pitch allocated even if others are free

Popularity: 1% [?]

Crosfields ARLFC, Warringtons biggest Amateur Rugby League Club has been recognised by the RFL as having achieved the Clubmark gold standard.

Sport England Clubmark sets generic criteria for national governing bodies of sport to accredit their clubs against in order to create safe, effective, and child friendly environments. Clubs who achieve Clubmark Status are officially ‘rubber stamped’ as being a quality club, having all the right procedures, policies, action plans and coaches with relevant qualifications in place, ensuring the club has a ‘safe, effective and child friendly environment’, and are known as “A Quality Assured Rugby League Club”.

Clubmark Gold is an enhanced level of achievement and continues to bring benefits such as promoting clubs within their communities, increased participation levels, developing coaches and volunteers at clubs, raising standards and receiving priority status with funding applications.

Massive thanks must go to Russell Malley who has been the driving force behind this for months and also Brian Lawton who’s help with this was invaluable. Thanks must also be paid to the current committee who continue to help drive the club forward at a good pace and all of the volunteers from the coaches and team reps through to the kitchen staff and cleaners who’s work often goes unrecognised but without whom the kids in our community would have nowhere to play.

We should all be very proud of this as it once again proves that Crosfields is a club where EVERY child matters and that we work hard to provide our youngsters with the very best environment to allow them to prosper and grow.

Popularity: 19% [?]

Latchford Unicorns U11′s 10 Crosfields Cobras U11′s 28

Crosfields were placed with a local derby at short notice after Latchford changed groups with Waterhead this week.  The clocks had changed overnight and it certainly seemed winter was a coming.  A windy day greeted the visitors after their short trip across Warrington.

Latchford got the game underway and Alex Tinsley drove the ball back hard to be met by a good line for the home side.  Further runs from Joe Hands and Josh Little pushed the Cobras forward.  The team came up short and Latchford had the chance of using the ball.  Good hands from the Unicorns were met by Thomas Davis and Ben Dixon who was to have his best defensive display of the season. 

Again the Cobras had the ball and Ben McWilliam and Matty Pendlebury ran the ball in, a kick on the last came to nothing after being gathered in.  The Unicorns pushed hard now and despite good tackling from Callum Southern and Danny Robb the number 7 for Latchford was allowed to run on the arch for a good try in the left hand corner.

The Cobras now looked for inspiration and a good run from Sam Martin, playing against the team he had left a month before, got the team moving.  Kyle Brown saw a chance close to the line and was over and set to score only for the ball to be stripped and a penalty given.  From the resulting penalty Ben Dixon barged his way over to give the visitors belief.

HT4-6

The game was in the balance now and the Cobras were ready for the challenge.  Good runs from Callum Southern and Josh Little laid the platform for Ben McWilliam to power onto the ball and take three defenders over the line and score a great try.  In defence the visitors were really bending their backs, Sam Martin and Matty Pendlebury were standing out with the support they put into tackles backing up their new  teammates. 

Latchford lost possession and Thomas Davis drove hard at the line backed by Joe Hands who gave a quick play the ball, Callum Talbot  was supporting who then stepped the on rushing full back to score under the sticks.  Were the team going to switch off now as they had done a few weeks ago when in a strong position, the answer was definitely no.  Callum Southern kept the team moving with another bulldozer run and performance which gained the coaches award.

A chip kick on the left hand side was expertly gathered in by Danny Robb who took the ball up.  Another fine set of yards from Ben Dixon and Kyle Brown allowed Callum Talbot to chip and chase his own kick which sat up nice for him to score.  The Cobras were really working well as a group and more strong defence from Alex Tinsley and top tackler for the day Josh Little regained the ball.  At the resulting scrum Callum Talbot fed the ball and ran on the arch spotting the gap he jinked through and went half the length of the field to complete his hat trick and sealing his man of the match award.

Were the home side finished,  not at all.  More good defence from Ben Dixon and Danny Robb denied a score in the left corner.  As the game was coming to an end the home side were to gain a consolation try again from the lively number 7.  This was to complete the scoring for the day.

With so many players missing today it was vital that all TEAM members put their hands up to work hard, special mentions are needed for Ben McWilliam who was back to his best and Sam Martin for the way he handled the emotion of the day.  I am sure the boy’s all slept well and were glad of the weeks holiday. 

FT 10-28

Try’s – Ben Dixon, Ben McWilliam, Callum Talbot (3)

Con’s – Ben Dixon, Ben McWilliam, Callum Talbot, Kyle Brown

MOM – Callum Talbot

Coaches Award – Callum Southern

Top Tackler – Josh Little

Popularity: 1% [?]

The Cobras have an away fixture at Leigh Miners Rangers on Sunday 8th November 2009

Popularity: 3% [?]

The under 12′s travelled the short distance to Leigh Miners for another encounter

This was an unusual game for us as we only had 14 due to many being on holiday, and Miners only had 12 so we lent them a different player every 10 minutes to make it a 13a-side game

Miners got the first kick off which was gathered well by the cobras.

Both teams were good in attack and defence and there was little differnce in this game to start with

The Cobras were first to get on the scoreboard, but a few kicks went astray in the strong winds that were present.

at half time there was not much in it only a try seperated the two

The second half saw the game start to get a bit more tricky for either team to score, the ball went end to end and both teams made the best of the chances they had and with the Cobras a few tries out in fron the Miners got a couple of quick tries to narrow the scoring margin down

Final score 12 – 22

Man of the Match – Nathan Holland

Top Tackler – Grady James

Coaches Award – Ethan Jones

Popularity: 1% [?]

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% [?]

11.45 – Conference Pitch – Under 17s

11.45 – Alliance Pitch – Under 16s – Bring cones in from Car Park

11.30 – Mini Pitch One – Under 9s

10.30 – Modified Pitch – Under 10′s – Put cones out on Car park

Popularity: 1% [?]