Rylands Sharks 31 Crosfields 18.

RYLANDS Sharks ended the long unbeaten run of local rivals Crosfields to advance to the final of the Stuart Middleton Foundation Cup for the second season running.

Both sides are competing at the top end of the National Conference League Division Three but the cup took centre stage at Shark Park and it was Soap who opened the scoring when Joe Moore crossed.

However, the hosts hit back when first Dave Walker then Chris Morley went over to give them a comfortable lead, with Jack Lewis adding the conversion on both occasions.

Keiron Thomas reduced the deficit before the break and an ensuing melee behind the line resulted in Rylands’ Jamie Clarke being sent off.

Down to just three interchanges in the searing heat, the hosts made the perfect start to the second half with a superb individual try from Chris Dean to extend the lead to two scores.

Troy Brophy then crossed against his former club before Luke Walker’s drop goal gave Rylands a 23-10 lead.

However, Soap refused to give in and dragged themselves back into contention with a try from Ash Cornelia.

Lewis kicked a penalty to keep Rylands ticking over, but a try from Nathan Taylor kept the visitors in the contest with the score at 25-18.

It wasn’t to be for Tony Benson’s side, though, as Nick Braide crossed two minutes from time to seal Rylands’ place in the final.

They will face either Woolston Rovers or Bank Quay Bulls at The Halliwell Jones Stadium on Wednesday, August 24.

Rylands team: Luke Walker; Chris Meacock, Matty Taylor, Troy Brophy, Adam Thompson; Jack Lewis, Sean Boyle; Stuart Shaw, Craig Harris, Chris Dean, Brad McAlpine, Nick Braide, Jamie Clarke. Subs: Dave Walker, Chris Morley, Jordan Paget, Rob Campbell.

Crosfields team: Ash Cornelia; Nathan Taylor, Chris Burgess, Ian Boden, Keiron Thomas; Jack Reid, Billy Sheen; Matthew Barber, Hayden James, John Pickersgill, Lewis Bani, Joe Moore, Joe Clarke. Subs: Sam Woodall, Craig Eves, Matt Thomason, Jordan Chilton.