Woolston Rovers 4 Crosfields 26

CROSFIELDS completed preparations for their return to Division Two of the National Conference League with victory in a friendly with neighbours Woolston.

Dan Reid crossed twice for Mark Brennan’s side, who begin their campaign away at Millom on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm, while Joe Moore, Billy Sheen and Nathan Taylor scored a try each.

Rovers’ only points came through a Christian Taylor try and they now travel to Oldham St Annes for their opening Division Three game on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

In challenging conditions at Monks Sports Club, Soap crossed for an early try when a sweeping move led to Reid diving over in the corner.

A similar play led to Reid’s second try, before Jack Reid added a penalty to give last year’s Division Three champions a 12-0 lead at the break.

Rovers started the second half strongly and, after forcing Crosfields into a goal line drop out, the ball was run back and shifted wide for Taylor to get the hosts on the board.

However, another diving finish in the corner, this time from Nathan Taylor, got Soap back on track before substitute Sheen latched onto Jack Reid’s kick to cross between the posts.

Moore then spun out of several tackles to score in the corner and put the seal on an effective performance from Soap.

Woolston: Wil Maudsley; Chris Twigg, Justin Becker, Lewis Hoarty, Christian Taylor; Sam Dobson, Conner Muir; Dan Fearnley, Ryan Brown, John-Paul Ainsworth, Cameron Davies, Sean Conway, Harry Files. Subs: Glyn Roberts, Henry Davies, Callum Harnett-Smy, Conner Scrivens, Billy Maunder, Jacob Proudlove.

Crosfields: Chris Hull; Kieran Thomas, Jordan Chilton, Matt Lomax, Dan Reid; Jack Reid, John Whittaker; Phil Brazendale, Hayden James, Matt Barber, Lewis Bani, Joe Moore, Joe Clarke. Subs: Nathan Taylor, Billy Sheen, Scott Cullen, Tom Millington, Tom Brown.