Written by Chris Gough
The visitors today were Oldham St Anne’s who were formed 72 years ago just after the end of WW2. Some of their most famous ex-players that went on to the professional ranks include Mike Ford and Iestyn Harris. The soap were missing four key players with Dan, Sam, Finley and Ollie all absent, the reverse fixture at Higgenshaw Road earlier on in the season had finished in a tight draw.
The game started with Oldham utilising their direct style with some strong powerful running which was met with some great defence in the middle of the park. The first try was a beauty and came the way of the home team when a great passing move involving Lewis and Spencer put Finn in the corner, Josh A soon added another when he took on the line with a trademark dummy to double Crosfields lead. The soap defence was on fire and Spencer Buller, in particular, was tackling everything that moved in green but it was Oldham who scored next to reduce the deficit to 4 points. Finn was also having a great game and stretched the lead with a great solo try when he picked up the ball close to his own line for a full length of the field score. It was not just Spencer who was epic in defence he was being superbly supported by his teammates, it was one of them who scored the last try of the first half when Lewis put Regan in the corner as the soap went in 16-4 to the good at halftime.
The second half started in the much the same mould with some great defence and the soap moving the ball well. Josh A turned provider putting Spencer in down the middle as he teased the chasing defence for a fine finish before Lewis jinked his way over in the corner. Oldham continued to run strong and took a few more chances with the ball in hand which resulted in consecutive tries for the Greens. With the game going in the later stages the soap hit back when Josh A put Charlie in the corner before Lewis passing to Finn for a deserved hat-trick. There was a consolation try for St Anne’s at the death but it was too little too late as the soap finished the game with a 32-16 victory.
Parents MOM: Spencer
Away Team MOM: Josh A
Coaches Award: Finn
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