Woolston Rovers A 20 Crosfields A 12

A HARD-FOUGHT ‘derby’ clash saw Woolston Rovers A take the bragging rights at Sadore Construction Field.

They were pushed all the way by Crosfields A, however, as both sides got their campaigns off to a belated start.

It took until midway through the first half for the first points to be scored as Sean Millington spotted a gap in the Soap defence to cross in the corner for the hosts, with Liam Sullivan adding the conversion from the touchline.

Soap hit back as Danny Lee scored in the right corner, but the try remained unconverted and Woolston took advantage before the break.

Billy Maunder broke the line and dummied his way across, with Sullivan’s conversion giving Rovers a two-score lead at the break.

After the interval, a lovely Olly Hands pass sent Mike Helme crashing over to put the hosts in full command, but that proved the catalyst for a Crosfields comeback.

Alex Charnock grabbed their second try before Lee doubled his tally to narrow the deficit to just six points with seven minutes remaining.

However, Sullivan slotted a penalty with two minutes left to make sure Rovers earned the points.

Woolston A travel to Halton Farnworth Hornets A on Saturday, while Crosfields A welcome Wigan Bulldogs to Hood Lane. Both games kick off at 2.30pm.

Woolston A: Liam Sullivan; Sean Millington, Callum Moore, Nathan Evans, Conor Clarke; Olly Hands, Billy Maunder; Matt Clarke, Kieran Moore, Owen Hazlehurst, Niall Toher, Mike Helme, Tom Woodward. Subs: Ben Moore, Richard Potts, Sam Files, Max Ainsworth.

Crosfields A: Alex Clutterbuck; Dave Newman, Nathan Hamilton, Tayler Boyne, Conor Harris; Sam Hickey, Jack Williams; Elliot Bridge, Danny Lee, Troy Holcroft, Jordan Thomason, Ash Catterall, Liam James. Subs: Jordan Chiltern, Alex Charnock, Sam Roylance, Ben Kenwright.