Crosfields claim first victory of 2018 season

HEAD coach Jimmy Williams described Crosfields’ performance to beat Wigan St Judes as “the best he has seen for a long time.”

Tom Brown and Hayden James both scored twice as Soap thrilled the Hood Lane crowd to pick up their first win of 2018 against a side that were previously unbeaten.

Jack Reid added a try and five goals, with further scores coming after the break from Nathan Taylor and Tyler Whittaker.

“That was the best I have seen for a long time against a very good Judes side,” Williams said.

“I started the game with our two young props, Tom Millington and Tom Brown, which proved decisive as they led the way for us in the first 20 minutes.

“The speed and driving force of the pack laid the platform for our game plan.”

After fiercely defending their line for the opening stages, Soap snatched the lead when Millington’s superb short pass sent Brown over.

This score galvanised the hosts and Brown was able to double his tally after touching down Jack Reid’s grubber kick.

Joey Brady crossed out wide to bring the visitors back into the game, but James scored with a clever play from the scrum base to move Soap further clear before Reid’s show-and-go got him over the line.

Gavin Rodden somehow evaded six tackles to give Judes the perfect start to the second period before James once again proved to be Soap’s spark.

His 50-metre break scythed through the visiting defence and he found Taylor on his outside to race home.

Rodden and Connor Parkinson scored for Judes either side of Reid’s penalty, but Soap confirmed their victory when Whittaker pounced on a grubber kick from namesake John.

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Dan Reid, Nathan Taylor, Tyler Whittaker, Bailey Hartley; Joe Clarke, Jack Reid; Phil Brazendale, Hayden James, Tom Brown, Joe Moore, Jordan Williams, Tom Millington. Subs: Liam James, Kane Ditchfield, Matt Mahoney, Mitch McJay.

Eccleston Lions 4 Crosfields A 18

CROSFIELDS A made it back-to-back victories with an impressive performance on the road at Eccleston.

The hosts took the lead early, but once Jordan Thomason’s try and Sam Hickey’s conversion had edged Soap in front, they never looked back.

Troy Holcroft squeezed over to stretch the lead before Hickey supported Ash Catterall’s break to cross before converting his own try to ensure a perfect day from the kicking tee.

Sam Hickey scored a try and kicked three goals during Crosfields A's victory at Eccleston Lions on Saturday