Woolston Rovers 42 West Bank Bears 12

WOOLSTON Rovers head coach John Fieldhouse hailed a “very pleasing” pre-season victory but says improvement is still a must in their friendly against neighbours Crosfields on Saturday, kick off 1pm.

Ryan Brown, Australian centre Justin Becker and Thailand international Chris Twigg scored two tries each, while Will Maudsley and Jay Ryder also crossed.

Twigg and Will Chadwick added two and three goals respectively and Rovers now welcome Soap to Monks Sports Club.

Mark Brennan’s side, then under the stewardship of Tony Benson, won Division Three of the National Conference League, the division Rovers are in, last year and Fieldhouse says it will be his side’s toughest test.

“That was a very pleasing display from all of the squad. We really did play some outstanding rugby league and scored several excellent tries,” he said.

“We have worked extremely hard over the past three months in training and it was nice to see the lads put that practice into a game situation.

“Crosfields were deserved champions last season so it will be good to face them again, even though it isn’t a league game.

“This will be by far our stiffest test to date and a game we are really looking forward to.”

After Brown finished off Becker’s break in the first minute, tries from Kev Gamble and Jack White gave the Widnes-based Bears the lead.

However, after Jordan Te-aho picked up the first of the visitors’ four yellow cards, Becker stepped round two defenders to score before Twigg finished off a superb move to cross almost immediately after.

Sean Conway sent Becker over again before the break and Maudsley ensured Rovers started the second half well by racing away to score between the posts.

Twigg and White then swapped tries before Ryder got himself on the scoresheet by finishing Matt Davey’s break.

Harry Files then put Brown over to complete the scoring as the visitors’ poor discipline forced the referee to end proceedings seven minutes early.

Meanwhile, Rovers’ NWML side kick off their season by welcoming Halton Farnworth Hornets ‘A’ to Monks Sports Club in the NWML Shield Preliminary Round on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

Rovers: Wil Maudsley; Chris Twigg, Justin Becker, Lewis Hoarty, Christian Taylor; Will Chadwick, Connor Muir; Dan Fearnley, Ryan Brown, John-Paul Ainsworth, Cameron Davies, Sean Conway, Harry Files. Subs: Sam Dobson, Billy Maunder, Callum Harnett-Smy, Matt Davey, Conner Scrivens, Jay Ryder, Jacob Proudlove.