Crosfields 26 Hull Dockers 33

JIMMY Williams’ first league game in charge of Crosfields ended in a high-scoring defeat to Hull Dockers on Saturday.

Jordan Williams scored twice for Soap to go with further efforts from Nathan Taylor, Brad Stanway and Dan Reid, but the visitors were able to hold their hosts at arms’ length.

However, the Soap boss was adamant there were plenty of positives to take from the game.

“We gave ourselves too much to do after going 0-16 down,” he said.

“They managed the game well after that despite our lads’ efforts in reducing the deficit.

“We looked the better rugby side at times and I have many positives to take from the game.”

In terrible conditions at Hood Lane, both sides struggled to get into the game as ring rust proved a telling factor.

However, the visitors hit a purple patch as John McLeod, Dan Whyatt and Paul Fletcher all crossed in the space of seven minutes, with Chris Stephenson converting two of the tries.

Soap were rattled but got on the board when good work from Hayden James, Jack Reid and Joe Moore led to Jordan Williams crashing over next to the posts, with Reid adding the extras.

Nathan Taylor then brought Crosfields even closer five minutes later as he collected a kick to the corner to score, but Dockers were able to extend their lead through Craig Cook shortly afterwards.

Soap did have the last word in the first half when Williams crashed over again to send them into half time just four points behind, but another Dockers purple patch after the break effectively ended the game as a contest.

Tom Platt and Steven Batty tries were converted by Stephenson to put the Yorkshiremen 32-16 up, but Soap again would not go away.

Reid’s neat chip led to half-back partner Brad Stanway crossing before Dan Reid scored in the corner to cut the gap to six points with seven minutes left.

However, Cook kicked a drop goal to put the game beyond Soap, who travel to East Leeds on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Nathan Taylor, Chris Hull, Tyler Whittaker, Dan Reid; Jack Reid, Brad Stanway; Phil Brazendale, Hayden James, Matt Barber, Jordan Williams, Joe Moore, Joe Clarke. Subs: Kane Ditchfield, Matt Mahoney, Tom Millington, Tom Brown.