Crosfields 48 Askam 30

ON a day that marked 20 years of National Conference League football at Hood Lane, Crosfields put on a show against Askam to keep their Division Two play-off hopes alive.

Mark Brennan’s side ran in nine tries from eight different scorers as they moved into seventh, one place and four points outside the all-important top six.

After falling behind to Tom Hopkins’ try, Soap kicked into gear and Joe Moore crashed onto a short ball from Reid to equalise.

Ash Cornelia, Reid and Nathan Taylor then crossed to put the hosts in control as they displayed some superb, open rugby.

Tom Askew pulled a try back for the visitors, but Reid kicked a penalty to ensure his side went into the break with a 26-12 lead.

Askew scored again to keep Askam interested, but that only served to wake Soap up.

Taylor grabbed his second try before Brad Stanway and Chris Hull pushed them up to the 40-point mark.

John Whittaker then rounded off Soap’s scoring either side of away tries for Russ Bolton and Mark Dixon as the hosts marked their special day in style.

Brennan’s side face the tough prospect of a trip to league leaders Oulton Raiders on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Ian Boden, Ash Cornelia, Chris Hull, Nathan Taylor; Jack Reid, Brad Stanway; Phil Brazendale, Hayden James, Tom Brown, Joe Moore, Lewis Bani, Joe Clarke. Subs: Jordan Thomason, Jordan Williams, Tom Millington, Matt Barber.