Brid grab late try to sink Crocs with unlikely win

A LAST gasp try consigned Yorkshire One leaders Old Crossleyans to a 25-23 home loss to Bridlington.

Crocs went into the game looking for their seventh consecutive league win while their fourthplaced opponents were also in form, chasing a sixth straight triumph.

The first half went the Crocs’ way, with early momentum resulting in a penalty try.

Both teams struggled to keep their discipline at the breakdown and an interchange of penalties took the score to 10-6.

The hosts took the initiative with another try following a trademark run from Josh Hunt, who out-paced the cover defenders before putting scrum-half Joe Stott through to cross under the posts. Joe Gallagher converted, stretching the lead to 17-6.

Bridlington soon responded with a try from their powerful pack to close the gap to four points going into the half-time break.

Bridlington started the second half in ruthless fashion, using their powerful scrum to maximum effect.

Their second try soon came when winger Thomas Stanyon was released into space to crash over in the corner.

The outstanding Cameron Brannan and Tom Metcalf helped repel the Bridlington forward drives and with strong carries from Ruben Pollard and Billy Hammond, the game was becoming evenly balanced and tense for all involved.

Bridlington discipline was poor though and following an unprovoked punch to Stott, the visitors’ Harry Cowell earned himself a red card and an early bath.

Crocs responded and appeared to be on track for another victory after stretching the lead to 22-18 courtesy of Gallagher’s penalty kicks.

But despite being a man down, Bridlington showed good character and built pressure once again from their strong pack.

And it was their powerful scrum that then proved to be the difference when the forwards drove over to score with seconds remaining on the clock.

Crocs travel to secondplaced Pontefract on Saturday in what should be a cracking match.