Old Crossleyans’ starlets claim landmark cup win
After finishing runners-up last year, Old Crossleyans RUFC U18s Girls defeated holders Houghton to become North Area Cup winners and clinch the club’s first silverware in the age group.
A scrappy first half saw Crocs struggle for territory, the Houghton midfield disrupting Crocs’ possession and forcing uncharacteristic handling errors.
Niamh Woodhouse and Niamh Earnshaw worked to keep the Crocs moving forward and the introduction of Amber Marsden gave the Crocs some impetus.
However, their defence was breached, despite their appeals that Houghton’s raid on the line had been held up and suspicions of a double movement.
There were some encouraging words from the coaching staff at half-time and the team came out fighting, bagging a try through Leah-mae Beckett. Ruby Tyson added the extras to go 7-5 up.
A second try soon followed when Kaya Acton raced down the left and rounded the full-back to score a try improved again by Tyson.
Houghton tried to stage a response but the Crocs stood firm, Lucy Gregg, Isabelle Earnshaw and Honey Cockroft defending well in the midfield, joined by some hearty defence from Niamh Luck, Ella Booth and Emily Scholefield in the forwards.
A third try was added following excellent set piece work from Coral Luck and when the backs freed Isabelle Clinton, she put Imogen Ferguson away to make it 19-5.
Houghton weren’t finished and after forcing a series of penalties, reduced the
arrears with a touchdown but Crocs held firm.
Liv Cole returned the ball well from a clearing kick and Jess Baines and Molly Bradshaw really showed up in the later stages. Safiyyah Akhtar contributed well in her first game back for some time.
Crocs’ co-captains Niamh Woodhouse and Niamh Luck lifted the trophy to celebrate the landmark cup win for the club.
Pictured above are – back row (l-r): Leah-mae Beckett, Jess Baines, Isabelle Clinton, Ella Booth, Liv
Cole, Niamh Woodhouse, Niamh Luck, Emily Scholefield, Safiyyah Akhtar, Amber Marsden, Kaya Acton, Imogen Ferguson. Front (lr): Coral Luck, Lucy Gregg, Honey Cockroft, Ruby Tyson, Isabelle Earnshaw, Niamh Earnshaw, Molly Bradshaw.