Crosfields 40 East Leeds 20

CROSFIELDS’ perfect start to life in the National Conference League Division Two came through its toughest test on Saturday but they battled to victory against East Leeds.

Matty Barber scored two tries for the hosts at Hood Lane and others to cross the whitewash were Joe Moore, Chris Hull, Billy Sheen, Hayden James and skipper Jack Reid, who also added four conversions.

The result means Mark Brennan’s side are now the only side in the division to still be unbeaten ahead of a tricky trip to fellow high-flyers Bradford Dudley Hill on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

The visitors were quickest out of the blocks and grabbed the lead after just six minutes when Jakob Halton crossed in the corner.

Soap rallied and levelled matters when Reid’s short ball sent Moore screaming through a gap, but that only served to stir East Leeds and they retook the lead as Rhys Kilbride touched down a kick to the corner.

The introduction of Barber and Tom Millington from the bench sparked a revival for Soap and it was the former who profited from Phil Brazendale’s pass to crash over, with Reid’s conversion nudging the hosts ahead.

Barber’s try sparked a period of play the visitors simply could not live with and Reid produced a trademark show-and-go to cross between the posts and give his side a two-score lead at the break.

Soap had set a platform for their backs to show their running ability against a larger visiting outfit, with John Whittaker stepping round four would-be tacklers to feed Barber for his second try.

Another break from Whittaker and quick hands from the ruck sent Hull over and when East Leeds had Ben Walkin sin-binned, two excellent team tries sealed the victory.

A left-side move saw Hull break a tackle, draw the full-back and feed Sheen for a walk-in before Moore broke through and handed onto James for another easy score between the posts.

With the scores stacking up against them, East Leeds finished with a flourish as Kilbride scored two more tries to complete his hat-trick and give the scoreline a flattering look to it.

Crosfields A 52 Fitton Hill 8

SOAP’S second string produced a nine-try bonanza as they recorded a convincing win in their first home game of the new season.

Opponents Fitton Hill simply had no answer to Ian Boden’s side, for whom Danny Lee ran in a hat-trick of tries.

Jordan Williams also crossed for a brace and there were also tries for Mitch McJay, Ben Kenwright, Jordan Chilton and James Mercer, whose score was his first in five years.

Sam Hickey added five conversions for Soap while Bailey Hartley chipped in with a further three.

Boden’s men are at home again on Saturday as they welcome Wigan Bulldogs to Hood Lane, kick off 2.30pm.