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Sat 12 Feb 2011 · North One East
1st XVOld Crossleyans
36
11
Durham City versus Old Crossleyans
Graeme Elliott1 Mar 2011 - 16:18
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There was almost a party atmosphere at Hollow Drift, when in almost perfect conditions, Durham City resumed playing at home for the first time since 13th November due to the Arctic like weather.
City failed to turn early sustained pressure on Crossleyans line into points as the visitors defended well. Crossleyans were first to register a score when twelve minutes into the game, standoff Jones successfully kicked a penalty goal for 0-3 lead.
Renewed pressure on the Crossleyans line bought about City’s first score when scrumhalf Paul Armstrong sprinted through a gap in the defence to touch down for a try twenty minutes after kick off, converted by standoff Arnie Stevenson giving City 7 – 3 lead. Five minutes later City fullback Rob Smith used his pace to score under the posts for the first of his four tries, converted by Stevenson to double City’s lead to 14-3. Old Crossleyans made a spirited fight back causing City to give away a penalty kicked by Jones to bring the half time score to 14-6.
Early in the second half, Crocs standoff was yellow carded. A good period of pressure by City on the visitors’ line resulted in a 5 metre scrum after the ball was judged to be held up. Crossleyans managed to clear their line with a touch kick for a City lineout. Crossleyans transgressed giving Stevenson a penalty kick for a further 3 points to City.
From the restart fifteen minutes into the second half, a superb break by Stevenson took City back into Crocs 22 which led to fullback Smith crossing in the corner for his second try which was unconverted to increase City’s score to 22-6. Six minutes later try number three for Smith came with a superb break and was converted by Stevenson for a 29-6 score.
Crocs were still fighting back and they set up a good forward drive which took them into City’s 22, however the danger was averted when a forward pass was made which gave City a scrum. Scrumhalf Paul Armstrong kicked ahead and gave chase. The resulting pressure caused Crossleyans clearance kick to ricochet off their own player and Smith who was up in support, picked up the loose ball and sprinted over to touch down under the posts for his fourth try with Stevenson kicking the conversion, increasing City’s score to 36-6
In the dying minutes of the game, Old Crossleyans crossed the line for an unconverted consolation try by replacement Angus White, a New Zealander playing in his first match for the Halifax club. The final whistle blew immediately following the conversion attempt for a final score of 36-11 giving City a third win in a row plus a bonus point and one place higher in the league table.
Next game City play Morpeth at Hollow Drift kick of 2.15 on 19/02/2011
Renewed pressure on the Crossleyans line bought about City’s first score when scrumhalf Paul Armstrong sprinted through a gap in the defence to touch down for a try twenty minutes after kick off, converted by standoff Arnie Stevenson giving City 7 – 3 lead. Five minutes later City fullback Rob Smith used his pace to score under the posts for the first of his four tries, converted by Stevenson to double City’s lead to 14-3. Old Crossleyans made a spirited fight back causing City to give away a penalty kicked by Jones to bring the half time score to 14-6.
Early in the second half, Crocs standoff was yellow carded. A good period of pressure by City on the visitors’ line resulted in a 5 metre scrum after the ball was judged to be held up. Crossleyans managed to clear their line with a touch kick for a City lineout. Crossleyans transgressed giving Stevenson a penalty kick for a further 3 points to City.
From the restart fifteen minutes into the second half, a superb break by Stevenson took City back into Crocs 22 which led to fullback Smith crossing in the corner for his second try which was unconverted to increase City’s score to 22-6. Six minutes later try number three for Smith came with a superb break and was converted by Stevenson for a 29-6 score.
Crocs were still fighting back and they set up a good forward drive which took them into City’s 22, however the danger was averted when a forward pass was made which gave City a scrum. Scrumhalf Paul Armstrong kicked ahead and gave chase. The resulting pressure caused Crossleyans clearance kick to ricochet off their own player and Smith who was up in support, picked up the loose ball and sprinted over to touch down under the posts for his fourth try with Stevenson kicking the conversion, increasing City’s score to 36-6
In the dying minutes of the game, Old Crossleyans crossed the line for an unconverted consolation try by replacement Angus White, a New Zealander playing in his first match for the Halifax club. The final whistle blew immediately following the conversion attempt for a final score of 36-11 giving City a third win in a row plus a bonus point and one place higher in the league table.
Next game City play Morpeth at Hollow Drift kick of 2.15 on 19/02/2011
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