Crosfields 6 Drighlington 38

Crosfields slumped to a home defeat at the hands of NCL newcomers Drighlington.

The opening quarter was tight, with both defences on top.

Drighlington made the first break-through when Nathan Graham stepped through Crosfields’ line before drawing the full back and passing to the supporting Mike Sanderson, who scored under the sticks and then converted his own try, for a six-point lead.

On the half hour a plyer from each side was sin-binned and a penalty took Crosfields downfield, where they were able to finally break the visitors defence.

Enterprising play n the last tackle from Jack Reid had the defence in confusion and Hayden James touched down. Reid converted to level the score. But it was to be Crosfields' last.

Immediately before the break, the ball moved wide for Drighlington’s Shaun Hammil to go over in the corner, and a 10-6 half time lead.

The visitors opened the second half strongly and in 15 minutes Keiron Roche had gone over for two tries and Jensen Okhovat for one. With all three converted, the visitors had built an unassailable 26-6 lead.

Crosfields worked hard and moved the ball well, but Drighlington’s defence was well drilled and breaks were few and far between.

Phil Brazendale broke through on a couple of occasions, but the swarming defence, ensured that any support was tracked down.

Late tries from Lee Mulherne and Daniel Sanderson gave a final score of Crosfields 6 Drighlington 38.

Best for Crosfields was Brazendale, with Hayden James and Lewis Bani working hard throughout, whilst Reid’s ingenuity made opportunities, which were ultimately wasted.

Crosfields travel to Hunslet Club Parkside on Saturday.

Crofields A 40 Bolton Mets 16

The first victory of the league campaign saw Crosfields A move up to eighth place in the league.

A great opening saw the home side take an 18-point lead, but taking the foot off the gas, allowed Bolton Mets to come back to 18-12 at half time.

The second half saw a more controlled Crosfields and they dominated much of the game, running in four more tries, whilst conceding just one.

Two tries each for Jonny Pennel, Ryan Crowley and Danny Lee, and one for Andrew Campbell, with four conversions from Ryan Connally and two from Sam Hickey, gave Crosfields a 40-16 victory.

Crowley was man of the match, closely followed by Connolly and Campbell.

The alliance next game is against Leigh East A at Crosfields on April 25.