Sat 10 Sep 2022
Old Crossleyans 12 Old Brodleians 16
The keenly awaited derby duel between these two long term rivals was as always keenly contested and, although for many of the players involved it may have been their first appearance, each side gave their all for their respective clubs and a large crowd enjoyed the contest for local bragging rights.
The Woodhead boys enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, mostly played out in midfield, although it was Crocs who had the opportunity to open the scoring with a penalty goal attempt but the ball drifted wide from the boot of Gallagher.
Eleven minutes into the game some strong forward drives took the Woodhead boys into Crocs territory and with the Broomfield Boys penalised at the breakdown Loketi Manu took his chance with a well struck penalty. Crocs had a chance to pull level when they were awarded a penalty on halfway however the kick from Rawsthorne drifted wide.
Brods appeared to be winning the individual physical battles with Michael Briggs leading the way in the defensive line. With Brods dominating territory and possession on 20 minutes they were awarded another kickable penalty and Loketi struck it well to extend the lead 0-6. With defences generally on top Jimmy Hodkinson took his opportunity to release Sam Harrison down the left wing. The young winger showed real pace to outflank the immediate defenders however the scrambling cover defence did well to bring him to ground. Within minutes Harrison again found space to put Brods back on attack. A penalty was awarded however on this occasion the conversion fell short.
Crossleyans enjoyed their fair share of possession at this stage and Brods defence had to work overtime to keep the home team at bay. Crocs were awarded a penalty close to the line , it was taken quickly and it looked like a straight forward try had been scored however the referee awarded a penalty try and the game resumed with the home team in the lead 7-6.
As the first half was in its closing minutes Brods stepped up their challenge and a kickable penalty was declined and the kick to touch in the right hand corner was good. Brods catch and drive took the maul to the line but it was stopped following a further infringement. Another kick to the corner and Brods well rehearsed line out drive had a further opportunity, the maul edged forward and spun off to the left for Elliot Craven to touched down (pictured). The conversion was kicked and Brods held a 7-13 lead at half time.
In the second half Brods looked more comfortable on the ball and the youngsters in the back line were combining well behind a pack which appeared to be in the ascendancy. The new half back partnership of Briggs and Hodkinson were settling into their game and with Bacon and Harrison a threat the experienced Michael Briggs, Loketi Manu and Adam Sutcliffe provided the steadying influence and experience.
As the game moved into the final quarter Brods were pressing the Crocs line with sustained pressure and the home side were defending desperately, Matty Briggs looked to have scored from close range but the try was disallowed for incorrect grounding. The referee however had been playing advantage from a penalty near the posts and Brods chose to take 3 more points through Loketi Manu to extend the lead to 7-16.
In the closing minutes Brods themselves had to defend desperately as the Home side applied the pressure. They came close several times and indeed did cross the line however the Woodhead boys held the attacker up. Crocs continued to press and when they turned the ball over on the left , the ball was moved swiftly to the right wing through the hands of Nick Rawsthorne and the ball was touched down in the corner. 12-16.
Brods controlled the ball from the restart once more visiting home territory and with the seconds ticking down were awarded a further penalty however the kick went wide with the referee blowing full time.
Valuable league points in the bank for this emerging new side at Woodhead. Plenty of room for improvement as we develop a pattern of play and with a couple more experienced returnees due back in the fold we must be happy with two wins at this stage . Next week Brid at home will be another challenge and, if the lads show the spirit and effort given over the last couple of weeks, it will be a cracker.
The keenly awaited derby duel between these two long term rivals was as always keenly contested and, although for many of the players involved it may have been their first appearance, each side gave their all for their respective clubs and a large crowd enjoyed the contest for local bragging rights.
The Woodhead boys enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, mostly played out in midfield, although it was Crocs who had the opportunity to open the scoring with a penalty goal attempt but the ball drifted wide from the boot of Gallagher.
Eleven minutes into the game some strong forward drives took the Woodhead boys into Crocs territory and with the Broomfield Boys penalised at the breakdown Loketi Manu took his chance with a well struck penalty. Crocs had a chance to pull level when they were awarded a penalty on halfway however the kick from Rawsthorne drifted wide.
Brods appeared to be winning the individual physical battles with Michael Briggs leading the way in the defensive line. With Brods dominating territory and possession on 20 minutes they were awarded another kickable penalty and Loketi struck it well to extend the lead 0-6. With defences generally on top Jimmy Hodkinson took his opportunity to release Sam Harrison down the left wing. The young winger showed real pace to outflank the immediate defenders however the scrambling cover defence did well to bring him to ground. Within minutes Harrison again found space to put Brods back on attack. A penalty was awarded however on this occasion the conversion fell short.
Crossleyans enjoyed their fair share of possession at this stage and Brods defence had to work overtime to keep the home team at bay. Crocs were awarded a penalty close to the line , it was taken quickly and it looked like a straight forward try had been scored however the referee awarded a penalty try and the game resumed with the home team in the lead 7-6.
As the first half was in its closing minutes Brods stepped up their challenge and a kickable penalty was declined and the kick to touch in the right hand corner was good. Brods catch and drive took the maul to the line but it was stopped following a further infringement. Another kick to the corner and Brods well rehearsed line out drive had a further opportunity, the maul edged forward and spun off to the left for Elliot Craven to touched down (pictured). The conversion was kicked and Brods held a 7-13 lead at half time.
In the second half Brods looked more comfortable on the ball and the youngsters in the back line were combining well behind a pack which appeared to be in the ascendancy. The new half back partnership of Briggs and Hodkinson were settling into their game and with Bacon and Harrison a threat the experienced Michael Briggs, Loketi Manu and Adam Sutcliffe provided the steadying influence and experience.
As the game moved into the final quarter Brods were pressing the Crocs line with sustained pressure and the home side were defending desperately, Matty Briggs looked to have scored from close range but the try was disallowed for incorrect grounding. The referee however had been playing advantage from a penalty near the posts and Brods chose to take 3 more points through Loketi Manu to extend the lead to 7-16.
In the closing minutes Brods themselves had to defend desperately as the Home side applied the pressure. They came close several times and indeed did cross the line however the Woodhead boys held the attacker up. Crocs continued to press and when they turned the ball over on the left , the ball was moved swiftly to the right wing through the hands of Nick Rawsthorne and the ball was touched down in the corner. 12-16.
Brods controlled the ball from the restart once more visiting home territory and with the seconds ticking down were awarded a further penalty however the kick went wide with the referee blowing full time.
Valuable league points in the bank for this emerging new side at Woodhead. Plenty of room for improvement as we develop a pattern of play and with a couple more experienced returnees due back in the fold we must be happy with two wins at this stage . Next week Brid at home will be another challenge and, if the lads show the spirit and effort given over the last couple of weeks, it will be a cracker.
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