Crosfields ARLFC

Cobras Finish on a High As Bulldogs Lose Their Bite.

Crosfields travelled the short distance to Burtonwood on Tuesday, instead of their normal training session they were to play their re-arranged final fixture of the season, in
a long anticipated local derby.

Nerves were clear to see In the faces of the players, parents and coaches, but with a neutral referee and a ten game unbeaten run behind them the Cobras should have been full of confidence. The heat of the previous day had subsided and the conditions were almost perfect for rugby league. On the instruction of the referee the Cobras were told to turn their shirts inside out and after a short delay, due to traffic problems forcing some of the home teams’ players to arrive late the game got underway. The nerves were clearly on display as the home team scored immediately, the No.12 forcing his way over from the play the ball. Then from the restart a knock on, in contrast Burtonwood looked full of confidence as they went forward, only an outstanding one on one tackle from Ben prevented another try. This one instance seemed to flick a switch with the whole team. From the handover Sam, Dean and Luke drove forward, with Tom insisting on a quick play the ball he passed to Joe.K.L.,  who outpaced and stepped past the defence to score a great try. This time in defence Crosfields were strong, but on the first tackle of their next set a knock on put the Cobras back under pressure, again though they held firm. Following a penalty for offside, powerful runs by Dean and Sam, Luke took the ball for an almost carbon copy of the try scored by Joe, outpacing and stepping past defenders before crashing over the line. Defensively Cobras seemed to have found their feet, keeping the Bulldogs out. A fine clearing run by Ryan was followed by Dean, Sam and Joe.K.L. and with Tom finding Luke from the play the ball he managed to spin his way over to score. On their next set Burtonwood replied, the No.8 scooting over on the left to score. From the restart Cobras were lucky to retain possession, as the ball seemed to be knocked forward, play
continued as Sam made a great run, taking five defenders to bring him down. Louis and Elliott continued the drive and a run from Joe.K.L., set up great position for Tom to find Dean charging over the line to score, taking the Bulldogs coach with him.

HALF TIME

Bulldogs 2 – 4 Cobras

The second half began as the first had ended, Cobras with the ball and scoring. Kian and Tom made good yards forward along with Alex and Ra^y, Luke was held just short, but this only delayed the inevitable, Tom found Joe.K.L. who powered his way over the line. From the restart Burtonwood drove straight and hard, the No.10 racing in to score. In attack Ryan and Louis were followed by Joe.K.L. taking the team close, Tom found

Ryan with a pass and the “flyer” outpaced the defence before cutting infield to score, much to the delight of the Cobras supporters. In reply the home team scored again, No.8 seeming to dance past the entire Cobras team to score in the corner. Both teams failed to score on their next possessions, although Alex was unlucky not to score as he took five defenders towards the line, and Joe.P., producing two earth shuddering tackles stopped the Bulldogs in their tracks, along with Luke making a try saving tackle close to his own line. Once more in attack Cobras made the game safe. Clearing runs by Louis, Dean and Sam were followed by an amazing run from Luke, as he came on to the pitch from the touchline, surging forward past tackler after tackler eventually being stopped way down field, Tom eager again for a quick play the ball, found Joe.K.L., catching the defence on the back foot allowing Joe.K.L. to step past defenders and score in the corner, again to the delight of the Cobras supporters. The home team came up just short on their next set with Louis, Kian and Sam all making great tackles. In possession the Cobras were now just happy to eat up time. The turnover brought a penalty to the bulldogs, but they were unable to capitalize as Ben Joe.K.L., and Joe.P., all combined to force the No.5 into touch. As Dean took the resulting drive forward the final whistle blew, to huge cheers and rapturous applauds from the Crosfields touchline. What can I say, an outstanding display of junior rugby league, great tries and awesome tackles, well done to everybody involved a fantastic way to end the season. The team has not lost a game since the defeat against Leigh Miners on the 7^th of March, after the victory at Burtonwood, this means the team have won 10 and drawn 1 of their last eleven games, and with the one drawn game very dubious, they are very unlucky not to have an unblemished record. Well done to all the players an amazing record that included some truly memorable moments.

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Panthers Tamed in Hood Lane Sunshine.

The early morning sun was high in the sky as Chorley Panthers arrived at Hood Lane for the final home game of an eventful season. The pitch looked in fantastic condition and the scene was set for an enthralling game between two teams that in the past had been very evenly matched. The Cobras were proudly unveiling their new scoreboard for the game, hoping to christen it with a victory. Chorley began the game with possession of the ball and a tough test was sure to be on the cards, especially in the heat. Great tackling by Dean, Joe.K.L, Tom and Luke kept the Panthers out on their first attack. With ball in hand Dean and Sam took drives to take the ball away from their own line, and after Tom had taken the team over half way, Luke passed the ball to Joe.K.L, receiving the ball just inside the oppositions half, he stepped his way through the defence past five would be tacklers to put the ball down to the left of the posts for a great try. 1-0 Cobras. In defence Dean, Sam, Tom, Luke and Kian all held solid as the Panthers failed to break through. In attack Joe.P, Kian, Ben and Marshall all took the team forward before Dean’s strong drive was halted just short by good defence from the Panthers. The Cobras forced an error on the next set, after tackles by Marshall, Sam and Tom giving good field position to the home team. This was built on as Sam and Joe.K.L, drove forward and after Joe.P. was stopped just short of the line , a short pass from Luke found the charging Dean, who proved too much for the Panthers tacklers to handle, as he pushed three tacklers out of his way before spinning over the line to score. 2-0 Cobras. As the heat began to take its toll, changes were made through substitutions, but there was no change in the team spirit as defensively the Cobras would not be broken. Dean(3), Elliott, Luke, Joe.K.L, Joe.P, Tom and Kian all puffing their bodies on the line for the team , and greatly appreciated it was too as the applauds echoed from the touchline at their efforts. Kian was forced into touch by four defenders after a great run, this brought more defensive work for the Cobras, however they showed the watching crowd that they can not only score tries but prevent them too. Kian making amends for going into touch, having a hand in three of the next six tackles along with Luke, Tom,Joe.K.L, Ben and Sam, as the Panthers were once more kept scoreless. Another error on the second tackle of the next set brought more defensive work, as the home team seemed determined to give the Panthers every opportunity to score. Dean, Luke, Tom and Alex all made tackles to prevent a try being scored before Kian, twice in a matter of seconds made try saving tackles to keep the home teams line intact. With the ball in hand Cobras went forward through Sam and Luke before Louis was tackled into touch. Once more the Cobras had to tackle, Ben and Alex combining to tackle the No.1 leaving him writhing in pain on the grass. After further tackles the ball was handed over, with the referee calling last set of the half Crosfields scored, Sam powering his way over the line. 3-0 Cobras. This action being missed (again) by the cameraman, due to technical difficulties.

HALFTIME

Cobras 3-0 Panthers

With a well deserved rest the team enjoyed their half time drinks and with a few words spoken the team was ready to go again. The second half began with both teams making an error in their first set. But when Crosfields kept hold of the ball they scored, Louis, Kian with a great run and Elliott with a sidestepping surge forward, set up position Luke who was held up just short, from the resulting play the ball Sam charged forward handing off two tacklers to dive over in the corner. 4-0 Cobras. Cobras continued to tackle like demons, none more typified than Elliott who made two try stopping tackles beneath his own posts. From the handover Cobras hand a rush of blood in the heat, first Alex then Kian throwing wayward passes, seemingly trying to help Chorley to score, only for Joe.K.L, to rescue the ball on his own line. The game continued end to end, both defences on top, as the heat of the day increased and both teams tired. Neither team managing to trouble the scoreboard operator. The game finished with the sun higher in the sky and the temperature rising, as all the players took thoroughly deserved
applauds from both sets of supporters.

Well done to all the Cobras players, a magnificent all round performance from everyone, to prevent the opposition from scoring a try took a huge effort and must have surely been one of the best performances of the season. You provided another great advert for junior rugby league.

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