Bridlington RUFC vs Old Crossleyans – Match Report | 31 October 2026
Bridlington RUFC’s 13-game unbeaten home run came to an end following a tense 23–29 defeat to Old Crossleyans at Dukes Park.
The visitors began with a short kick-off, which was collected by Tom Benninger. He broke through the line, but a tackle from Ben Hammond left him unable to continue with a suspected broken rib.
Bridlington opened the scoring through Josh Stanyon, who slotted a penalty after Old Crossleyans were penalised.
Stanyon added another three points from the tee following an infringement after a Bridlington lineout, doubling the hosts’ advantage.
A high tackle on Senna Proctor gave Stanyon another opportunity, and he made no mistake to extend the lead to 9–0.
The visitors scored the first try of the game following a lineout. The ball was worked out to Hammond, who crossed the line, with F. Sutcliffe adding the conversion.
Bridlington were awarded another penalty and again opted for the posts, but this time Stanyon’s attempt was unsuccessful.
The blue and golds then claimed their first try after Kop Harrison broke through the defence and sent a grubber kick forward. With three defenders chasing the ball, Blake Christie won the race to touch down under the posts. Stanyon converted to give Bridlington a 16–7 half-time lead.
The second half began with the visitors on the front foot. Metcalfe broke through the defence, but Cooper Paddock brought him down five metres short of the line.
A couple of phases later, a flowing backs move created space for Thompson to score in the corner. Sutcliffe was unable to convert.
Old Crossleyans took the lead for the first time a couple of minutes later when Metcalfe broke through again to touch down under the posts. Sutcliffe added the conversion to put the visitors 19–16 ahead.
Further quick passing then sent Metcalfe through for his second try of the game. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving Bridlington trailing 24–16.
The visitors extended their lead following a succession of penalties, with another flowing backs move sending Beswick through to score. Sutcliffe’s conversion attempt from out wide was unsuccessful, leaving the score at 29–16.
Bridlington responded when Blake Christie broke through the defence and offloaded to Charlie Watts, who was brought down by a high tackle from Beswick.
The visitors’ try-scorer was shown a yellow card and, from the resulting lineout, the ball was worked to Will Watts, who touched down under the posts. Stanyon converted to bring the hosts within six points.
With time running out, Liam Gregory was sent to the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on at a lineout.
Bridlington gave everything in search of a late victory, but Old Crossleyans held firm to secure a 29–23 win, bringing the blue and golds’ 13-game unbeaten home run to an end.
Following the defeat, Callam Sanderson reflected on a difficult afternoon for his side.
“We’re disappointed with the result and to lose at home, but I’m genuinely proud of the boys because we’ve had our backs against the wall since the start of the game. We lost Corban in the warm-up due to a dodgy thumb, and we lost Tom Benninger just a minute into the game with a bruised rib.
“As disappointing as it is to lose at home, we’ve been promoted into a league that poses stronger challenges. To be fair to the Crocs, we identified them as one of the stronger sides, and they certainly were. But to keep it to a one-score game is real credit to the lads.”
By Alexander Fynn. Photos Tom Fynn
