Crocs mark return with opening day victory but Rishies lose out to Beverley

AFTER 18 months, rugby returned to Broomfield and Old Crossleyans marked the occasion with a 13–10 triumph over Middlesbrough in their Yorkshire One opener.

Rampaging runs from Sam Ives, Reuben Pollard and Billy Hammond created good quick ball leading to a neat move that almost released Matthew Beswick through midfield, only to be halted by good cover defence from the away team.

Joe Buckle and Nick Faulkner further built pressure allowing full-back Josh Hunt space to test the opposition flank defence, this led to indiscipline at the breakdown on their own 22, presenting the first opportunity of points in the game. Joe Gallagher stepped up and Crocs were off the mark.

Some neat interchanges from the away team’s forwards helped generate good ruck speed and their winger managed to outpace the Crocs cover defence to race over from 20 metres unopposed. The try was converted and Middlesbrough took the lead.

Crocs’ response was instant and following a lengthy spell of possession they finally unlocked the Middlesbrough defence following a neat passing move involving Billy Hammond and Joe Gallagher to release the speedy Matthew Beswick to score in the corner.

Joe Gallagher added the extras and he then landed a penalty 40 metres out to stretch the lead to six points.

The visitors replied with a kick of their own to narrow the lead to just three points and keep the home fans on their toes but time ran out for the away team as Crocs held on to mark their new campaign with a win.

In their first game since promotion from Yorkshire Two, a young Rishworthians side lost out 50-21 in their trip to Beverley.

Beverley pressed early and the first five minutes were played in the visitors’ half, with fly-half Phil Duboulay converting a penalty.

An impressive movement by the visitors’ backs, and swift passing by Josh Kelly and Joe Billing, enabled Luke Sutcliffe to move the ball back inside to Doug Heseltine to score a try, converted by Kelly.

Lewis Szrama responded with an unconverted try and Luke Hazell crossed for a try converted by Duboulay to make it 15-7.

Rhys Ines touched-down, goaled by Duboulay who also added the extras to another home try just before the break that put them 29-7 up.

Jack Davis and Jack Smart replaced Ryan Mudd and Tyler Burnip and the visitors started to move the ball and gain more ground.

They earned a scrum near the home line and Callum Heseltine dived over for a try converted by Kelly.

The Beverley backs again made ground and Hazell scored his second, converted by Duboulay. Beverley scored two more tries and Duboulay reached 20 points.

Not to be outdone Rishworthians moved the ball well for James Mchugh to score their third try, converted by Kelly.

The development team cruised to a 50-0 success at Baildon seconds.

Beverley will be the visitors to Crocs on Saturday, while Rishworthians will look to bounce back in their home clash against Bradford Salem.