Intermediate Cup Round 2, 17th November 2007

Old Crossleyans 22v 32 Broughton Park

19 year old Paddy O'Donnell normally a centre or wing forward played his first game for the club at outhalf and fitted in as though he had played there all his life.

'Park kicked off, Crossleyans knocked on and from the resulting scrummage big no.8 John Clifford picked up and off loaded to scrum-half Chris McAtominey to score near the posts. 0 - 5 after 2 minutes.

Crossleyans were finding it difficult to clear their lines and kicked ahead only for Paddy O'Donnell to scoop the ball up and jink his way forward to link with lock forward Jon Knight who gave the final pass to Chris McAtominey to score his 2nd try after 6 minutes. 0 - 10.

From a scrummage just inside the Crossleyans half John Clifford broke off and nearly made the line spurning support to his right but from the resulting maul lock forward Richard Barton broke off to score his first try for the club. Paddy O'Donnell converted making the score 0 - 17 after 31 minute.

Crossleyans having been bitten by kicks ahead returned with interest, decided to work the ball away from their line with driven mauls, unfortunately they knocked the ball forward and prop forward Jake Smith pounced on it and took it into a maul, from the quick ball which ensued the ball was spun wide along the backline for centre Adam Knight to score near the posts. Paddy O'Donnell converted to make the score 0 - 24 at half-time.

Indiscipline from Crossleyans saw a penalty advanced 10 meters which put Paddy O'Donnell within range but a kick at goal was not taken instead he kicked towards the corner for 'Park to carry out a well worn lineout move from which they have scored many tries and this time was no different with big 17 and half stone No.8 John Clifford barging his way through many defenders over the line. 0 - 29.

Crossleyans took advantage of a 'Park prop's 10 minutes in the sin bin to score a well worked try through 3 missed tackles wide out. This score seemed to bring Crossleyans alive and they started to believe in themselves and give 'Park a bit less respect and they promptly scored another try with slick hands along their backs. 12 - 29 with 20 minutes to go.

In the middle of this revival Paddy O'Donnell kicked a penalty to make the score 12 - 32 with 10 minutes to go.

With two minutes to go the 'Park outhalf took the ball into contact but lost control of the ball and Crossleyans sent quick ball along their backs to the speedy winger who beat two men to score in the corner.

Crossleyans were not finished and deep into injury time scored a carbon copy try to make the final score 22 - 32.