Kingstone Press National Conference League Division Two Crosfields V Hull Dockers Saturday 30th March 2019 Crosfields ARLFC - Club Officials Life President Colin Webb Vice Presidents Pat Gibbons, Annette Parker, Tony Parker, Neil Stephenson Chair Mike Donnison Secretary Tony Parker Committee Dominic Caswell, Chris Hull, Matt Mahoney, Annette Parker, Steve Pickersgill Head Coach Ian Boden Assistants Chris Hull, Matt Wilson Alliance Coach Andrew “Franco” Campbell Assistant Lou Walsh Junior Section Chair Lewis Worthington Secretary Kate Hall Treasurer Jeanette Buller Subs Secretary Jackie Thomason Welfare Officer Tammy Smith Crosfields ARLFC – Chair’s Welcome Good afternoon and a warm welcome to Crosfields ARLFC at the Webb Security Recreation Ground. Today, we welcome the players, supporters and officials from Hull Dockers, for today’s Kingstone Press NCL Division Two Round Five game. Hull Dockers have had a great start to the season, beating local rivals Beverley 19-18, followed by a 16-16 draw against Bradford Dudley Hill and then beating top of the table Ince Rose Bridge last week, 34-14. Craig Cook picked up another two tries last week, as did Steven Mine, with winger Michael McGowan also going over. Ben Rowan kicked 7 goals. Crosfields lost away at East Leeds last week 24-22, with the game only decided in stoppage time. A great effort from the players saw Dan Reid, Luke Walker and Jack Lewis cross for tries, whilst Jack Reid kicked 5 goals. The teams met twice last season, with Hull Dockers winning here at the Webb Security Recreation Ground 26-33, whilst Crosfields won in Hull 32-40. Crosfields are unbeaten at home this season and coach Ian Boden is determined to keep that record in tact. A couple of months ago, one of our players Dan Worrall had a serious accident. The Warrington Guardian produced an article explaining the seriousness of his plight and the tremendous work of the medical staff. The article is re-produced later in the programme, which also outlines some fund-raising activities. This year marks the 30th Anniversary of Crosfields winning the BNFL BARLA National Cup. Throughout the season, we will take trips down memory lane to celebrate the achievement and will hold a special re-union day, towards the middle of the season. Today, Round Two, Crosfields v British Aerospace (Oldham). Our Sponsor Focus today is on Warm & Cosy Fires & Fireplaces, who have supported the club over a number of years and provide a fantastic service to their customers. I thank Brian and his team and all our sponsors, for their continued support. Good luck to everyone involved today. Yours in Sport Crosfields ARLFC – Next at the Webb Security Recreation Ground Sunday 31st March 2019 10:30am - U15s v Leyland 11:00am - U12s Vipers v Portico Vine 11:45am - U18s v Halton Farnworth Hornets Saturday 6th April 2019 Kingston Press NCL Division Two 2:30pm Crosfields v Ince Rose Bridge Saturday 13th April 2019 NWML Division Three 2:30pm Alliance v Woolston Rovers A Crosfields ARLFC – In My View, by Phil Hodgson SOMETIMES a defeat can feel almost like a victory, and winning can feel like losing. I’m aware that some people might think I’m going barmy after reading that opening sentence but in my defence I‘ll point to a classic example, namely the BetFred Super League clash nine days ago between Wakefield Trinity and Warrington Wolves. This was, in the build-up, an intriguing-looking fixture, even allowing for the fact that the home side were without Tom Johnstone, Bill Tupou, Matty Ashurst and Danny Kirmond and, as such, appeared to be weakened on their left edge. Trinity have established a well-deserved `muck and nettles’ reputation in recent years, especially under Head Coach Chris Chester, and most pundits felt that the home side were very capable of more than overcoming their temporary problems, even if they were taking on a fine Wolves outfit that, under Aussie boss Steve Price, is being tipped by many for silverware this time. Those opinions were soon revised. Warrington dominated the opening exchanges, and Wakefield looked flimsy. And when the score hit 28-6 at half-time, the expectation was that the visitors would go on to win by a landslide. It didn’t turn out that way. Trinity, still out of contention at 34-12 down, launched an astonishing rally, initiated by two tries in as many minutes by hooker Kyle Wood. Max Jowitt and Joe Arundel added further touchdowns in the last six minutes as Wakefield hit the heights and Warrington collapsed. If Danny Brough’s conversion attempt of Arundel’s score hadn’t veered wide, after having looked set to dissect the posts, the contest would have gone to golden point. And with the momentum firmly behind Trinity, and with Brough such a specialist when it comes to field goals, a home win would have been very much on the cards. In the event Warrington survived – just. But Price looked like the coach who had lost, and who would be giving his side a roasting, while Chester, announcing himself “proud of his players”, was almost beaming, despite the reverse. The coaches’ comments, of course, were made in the immediate aftermath of the game. I suspect that once the dust had settled Price would have happily (almost) accepted the victory and may even have been quietly pleased that the way his players more or less capitulated will have helped him get his messages across regarding the need for constant improvement. And Chester, while impressed by his side’s recovery, will perhaps focus to a large degree on the first-half fault-line that left Trinity with a mountain to climb. The match reminded me of a Methley Royals Pennine League game against, I think, Littleborough a few years ago. We were 48-0 ahead and I started banging on about the possibility of our record victory being eclipsed. I’d spoken too soon, and it served me right, the visitors posting five converted tries to reduce the scoreline at the end to 48-30. Their players were celebrating like mad and, for us, it really did feel like a defeat, such can be the impact of the closing stages of a match.. Crosfields ARLFC – NCL Sponsors Crosfields ARLFC – Round Three Saturday 16th March 2019 - Crosfields 22 Clock Face Miners 0 Crosfields got the league campaign back on track with a very hard fought victory in testing conditions for both teams. 4 tries to nil on a mud bath of a pitch was a testament to the organisation and resilience of Boden's men as they had to dig deeper than ever to register the success. In a tightly fought contest, Soap's defence had to work overtime to keep the visitors at bay defending multiple sets on their line as time and again grubber kicks to the in-goal area forced repeat sets. The deadlock was finally broken against the run of play when Jack Reid sent a wide ball out to Matty Barber to cross for the opening score after 22 minutes that was converted by Reid. The game became a little more even following the try with possession changing hands more regularly. There wasn't much between the two teams with Clock Face trying something a little different as they chose to run on the last rather than kick. A pass out wide was intercepted by impressive centre Danny Garcia-O’Brien and he raced a full 60 metres to register his first try on his first team debut. Jordan Williams Soap went in 12-0 to the good at half time but felt much relief as they had to withstand wave after wave of attack. This belief in their defensive strength built confidence for the second half, which was to be as tense as the first. Clock Face had a player sent to the bin on 42 minutes but managed to rally and thwart the Crosfields onslaught during his absence. The Sam Hickey pressure eventually told however as man of the match Luke Walker burst on to a kick through following a break from the marauding Jordan Williams. Danny Garcia O’Brien It was Williams who put the gloss on proceedings and finally put the game to bed in the 74th minute. A penalty provided good field position and the resulting attack saw a John Whittaker break backed up by Williams for a try under the posts and the 2 points. Best for Crosfields were man of the match Walker and Joe Clarke with notable performances coming from debut centre Danny Garcia O'Brien and Louis Wainwright. “It was important to get the previous weeks display out of our system, so we worked hard and we concentrated on certain areas of our play in training. Todays game wasn't one for the purist. due to the vagaries of the inclement weather” - Ian Boden - Head Coach Crosfields ARLFC – Kit Sponsor – Today Team Crosfields ARLFC – Round Four Saturday 23rd March 2019 - East Leeds 24 Crosfields 22 Crosfields came away with a credible performance but a gut wrenching result as the victory was snatched away from them right at the death. The team can take heart from the performance and build in confidence but it still smarts to lose in that manner. All credit to the home team though as they continued to seek their opening win right up until the final play. The game started as a cagey affair with both teams having solid sets, with East Leeds having the better of the territory. It was Soap however who got the opening score following a John Whittaker break.