Merseyside Police v Crosby St Mary's

Crosby St Mary's travelled to Merseyside Police yesterday for their fifth league away game this season. Crosby maintained a 100% league away record in a difficult and scrappy match littered with penalties and dubious decisions.

The game kicked off with Crosby kicking off and immediately putting Police under pressure eventually forcing them into touch. Crosby were probing the Police defence when the ball was turned over thanks to a penalty and was kicked clear deep into Crosby's half. From the resultant line out Police were able to find an opening driving over the line after some strong running up front. Try converted 7 - 0

Crosby immediately came back when Holgate pounced on the loose ball and carried towards the corner. Holgate passed back inside to McCarthy who drew the full back and gave it back to Holgate who went over for Crosby's first try of the afternoon. Croston converted 7 - 7

The first half continued with back and forth exchanges from both sides with Police scoring again with more pressure around the fringes of rucks. Crosby seemingly unable to deal with it for some reason. Conversion missed 12 - 7

Crosby hit back immediately from the kick off with Owens catching McCarthy's kick off and beating 2-3 players before being brought down. Croston wasted no time and with a show and go was over the line for his first of the day. Conversion missed 12 - 12

Crosby would take the lead for the first time in the game in the next dew moments. A loose kick going straight to Owens who was today catching everything near him was took quick for the onrushing defenders and he rounded them all to score. Try converted 12 - 19

The final action before half time would be the Police scoring yet again around the fringes. Try converted 19-19 half time score.

Crosby took this time to gather themselves and take on some words of wisdom and yet again came out in the second half flying. scoring numerous try's. The first of which was amazing to behold. Adam Lowrie receiving a deep kick and running it back straight into the no10 who for the whole game wasn't using arms in the tackle and smashed him down to the ground. Lowrie offloaded to Gerrard who offloaded to Latimer who again offloaded to Ferris. Some great play from both back and forward alike. try converted 19 - 26

Crosby were building pressure on the Police's defence and were given a penalty. A big carry from Gerrard from the penalty set the ball up for Lloyd who crashed through the attempted tackles and forced his way over the line. try converted 19 - 33

Crosby were not done there as the ball was turned over near half way but quick ball didn't come and the pass was long and looping to McCarthy allowing Police to rush up giving him no space but somehow managed to pull off a remarkable behind the back no look pass (even if I say so myself) out to Allan Lowrie with space to run into. Allan was brought down with 22m to go and the ball was quickly recycled to Holgate and back inside to Gerrard who broke through drawing the last man and giving it to Ferris yet again providing excellent support to score his second of the day. try converted 19 - 40

The Police were not finished yet as Crosby finding it difficult to get the ball from their big runners again squeezed over in the corner. try converted 26 - 40.

The final action of the game would be Crostons second try of the match. Some big running from the forwards allowing Croston to get quick ball and another show and go saw him dive for the line. Conversion missed leaving a final score of 26 - 45.

Not the best performance but we came away with a hard fought win with a number of people playing out of position. Good to see players coming back from injury and we now look forward to next weeks game at home 3pm to Liverpool St Helen's which will likely be another tough match.

Try's
Croston 2
Ferris 2
Lloyd
Holgate
Owens

Conversions
Croston 5/7