Dalton 16 Crigglestone All Blacks 18

A FIGHTBACK from 18 points down at half-time fell agonisingly short as Dalton were edged out 18-16 at home to Crigglestone All Blacks in the Pennine League Division One.

It was a slow start from the hosts at Kelland Park and the All Blacks took the lead with a converted try and were in for a second soon after, with both coming as a result of some slack defence.

The third converted try, coming after possession was lost, saw Dalton facing a mountain to climb after just 18 minutes, but good defending from Jonathan Walsh prevented a fourth score.

Dalton then missed two chances to get over the line, followed by being reduced to 12 men when Chris Reid was dismissed for speaking out of turn to the referee, having been initially shown a yellow card for holding down in the tackle.

Nevertheless, Dalton were on the scoresheet just three minutes into the second half when forward Alistair McEwen crashed over from close range, with Ryan Johnston adding the extras.

Seven minutes later, Tyler Batty finished off a good team try and then a counter-attack saw Walsh race from deep inside his own half to score under the posts after Crigglestone had lost the ball on the home try-line, with Johnston again converting.

Dalton had an opportunity to level the scores late on when the away side conceded a penalty, but the kick hit the posts and the All Blacks duly held out to take the win.

Dalton return to action this Saturday when they travel to second-placed Illingworth.