Crosfields 16 Leigh East 28

CROSFIELDS’ indifferent spell of results in National Conference League Division Two continued on Saturday with a defeat to Leigh East.

The loss at Hood Lane means Mark Brennan’s side slip to seventh having led the table earlier in the season.

Soap started strongly and took the lead when the returning Billy Sheen’s kick to the corner was pounced upon by Danny Lee, with skipper Jack Reid adding the extras.

However, East hit back with converted efforts from Pat Rainford and Adam Wilkes to take control of the game.

Matty Barber crashed onto Reid’s pass to level the scores, but Nathan Gaskell’s effort ensured the visitors led at the interval.

Crosfields controlled possession and territory at the start of the second half, but it was the visitors who earned the next score on the hour mark through Jordan Hallam’s try.

To their credit, Soap did not give in and an excellent handling move was finished off by Ash Cornelia to bring the deficit back to eight points with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Sadly for Soap, though, East delivered the killer blow through Jay Yarwood’s try nine minutes from the end.

Brennan’s side must now regroup for another home game on Saturday, when Bradford Dudley Hill are the visitors to Hood Lane, kick off 2.30pm.

Eccleston Lions 17 Crosfields A 16

SOAP’S A side fell to a heartbreaking defeat at Eccleston on Saturday as they were beaten with the game’s final play.

Bailey Hartley crossed for Soap, as did man-of-the-match Elliot Bridge and Ryan Hickey for his second try in as many games, but a last-gasp drop goal saw the hosts take victory.

Ian Boden’s side travel to Fitton Hill in their next game on Saturday, August 5.