Rugby chief’s rallying call to relegated Crocs
Old Crossleyans Director of Rugby Howard Cooper has urged the club’s members to “stick together” in the wake of the first team’s relegation from North One East.
The Broomfield men, relegated alongside Horden and Bradford and Bingley, will be facing derby rivals Old Brodleians and Heath in Yorkshire One in 2015-2016.
Cooper, speaking at a wellattended Crocs’ Annual Rugby Dinner at Standeven House last Friday, said it was time to move on after a disappointing season.
“We need to roll our sleeves up and get on with it,” he said.
“Everyone in this room who cares about the club can help. Let’s all stick together.”
Cooper said Crocs’ aim was to bounce straight back.
“We can still go places. Heath and Brods will be down here next season - let’s be top of the pile.”
Jack Hammond was the first team’s players’ player of the season. The centre took over the captaincy when brother Ryan was injured in the opening game and led from the front, not missing a match.
Prop Reuben Pollard was runner-up and also the team’s young player of the year.
First team ties for 25 appearances were presented to Luke Gardiner - who will be taking up a teaching post in Brighton in the summer - Pollard, Ben Greaves, Will Travis and Matthew Schofield.
Ryan Price was the second team players’ player and Andy Moss the clubman of the year. Halifax finish on a high.
Referee Andy Baker was the other speaker. Halifax RUFC completed their goal of going through the second half of their 2014-2015 season unbeaten with a 15-6 win at Wensleydale last Saturday.
The Ovenden Park men had clinched promotion to Yorkshire Three with victory over Sheffield Oaks the previous week in what was supposed to be their last match.
However, a coach breakdown had meant they were unable to get to Leyburn in North Yorkshire the previous week, prompting yesterday’s re-arrangement.
Halifax duly made it 10 wins and draw since their defeat to subsequent champions Wetherby on December 13 with a strong defensive display.
There was a battle for control in the first 20 minutes, Halifax absorbing everything that Dale threw at them and launching some impressive counter attacks.
With new player Joe Francis impressing from the start, the visitors took the lead through a trademark jinking run from player-coach Giles Hetherington and Richard Cole conversion.
However, ‘ Dale replied with two penalties to trail only 7-6 at half time.
An unconverted Toby Turner try gave Halifax more breathing space and a late Aaron Horner penalty made the game safe for Halifax, who have finished nine points clear of third-placed Skipton.