Oldershaw v Crosby St Mary's

Crosby St Mary's traveled to Oldershaw for yet another away game and managed to pull off a very difficult win against a big pack. Crosby started the game well dominating the majority of play winning scrums and line outs. Crosby threw long on their first line out to the back and only for a trip Raynor might have been over. Crosby forced a second one lining up the same but this time with Lloyd charging through the front of the line out bowling over the opposition hooker and winger to score the first try of the day. Conversion missed. 0 - 5

After the first try the game slowed down with both sides giving up possession too easily and some silly mistakes costing good opportunities. Oldershaw had a line out 5m from the Crosby line and Crosby after discussing with the ref prior to the game that not joining the line out maul if passed to the back and drove would be classed as "trucking and trailing". however this was not to be and although discussed prior to the game the referee had made his decision. try awarded but not converted 5 - 5.

Crosby now under a lot of pressure from the Oldershaw pack who were much bigger than Crosby's. Wave after wave of Oldershaw forwards came at Crosby but nothing was giving. Oldershaw were then awarded a 5m penalty and elected to run it. Lloyd saw this and charged at the ball carrier knocking him to the ground with a crunching tackle. The tackle was however judged to be high and lloyd got 10m to think about his actions! Oldershaw capitalized on this and continued to pressure the Crosby line when they eventually forced an overlap on the far side and went over for their second of the day. conversion missed 10 - 5.

With Crosby now back up to a full 15 they went back in search of further scores. After chipping away at their forwards and Owens shifting it wide Owens almost scored in the corner. Instead he went all Beckett on us all and forgot how to catch the ball. fortunately Crosby got possession back and continued assaulting the try line with their pack until Tinsley released Houghton on a scissor pass back inside, Houghton rode two tackles and side stepped the helpless fullback to score. Try converted 10 - 12.

That signaled the end of the first half. Crosby took to the field in the second half knowing they needed to be better. Improvement showed straight away when Crosby squeezed the ball forward and gave room for the backs to put a chip over the top. Tinsley with the boot and Adam Lowrie's pace was too much for Oldershaws back line and nobody could get to the ball before him and he ran over under the posts. try converted 10 - 19.

It wasn't long until Lowrie went over yet again for his second of the match. Oldershaw trying to apply pressure on the Crosby backs as they were just too quick. Tinsley with the run around on McCarthy and with both Oldershaw centers lining up expecting Beckett to burst through Tinsley throws a long miss pass and Lowrie gets over again unopposed. Conversion missed 10 - 24.

Oldershaw were to have the last score of the game as they sat in the Crosby 22m for around 15 minutes searching for a way through that they couldn't find. Eventually they managed to find a gap and drive through after some heroic defending. conversion missed and the game ended 15 - 24.

Another great win for Crosby in another tough away tie. Crosby host Waterloo on Saturday 8th October at The Hightown Club hoping to keep their 100% record alive. Following that is the cup fixture to Anselmians away on 15th October.

Try's
Elliot Lloyd
Mark Houghton
Adam Lowrie 2

Conversions
Tinsley 2/4

MoM
Lloyd