Wigan St Judes 31 Crosfields 22

SATURDAY saw Crosfields crash to their second defeat in three games as a second-half comeback proved in vein at Wigan St Judes.

Soap, who were missing influential skipper Jack Reid among others, fell 30-6 early in the second half and that proved terminal to their hopes of victory.

The hosts crossed for two tries in the opening stages before a long-distance penalty completed the first-half scoring at 14-0.

Crosfields hit back after the break as Tom Brown broke through and found John Whittaker in support to cross, with Brad Stanway converting.

However, that only served to stir the home side and a spell of three tries in six minutes took the game away from Soap.

To their credit, though, Ian Boden’s side never gave up and Whittaker fed Dan Reid to score their second try.

Then, after good drives from Brown and Matt Barber, Billy Sheen’s chip was mishandled by the St Judes defence and Jordan Thomason took advantage to touch down.

St Judes kicked a drop goal to keep their visitors at arms’ length, but Soap had the last laugh when Boden crossed in the corner.

Crosfields, who drop to third in National Conference League Division Two, welcome West Bowling to Hood Lane on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm.

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Nathan Taylor, Jordan Chilton, Chris Hull, Dan Reid; Billy Sheen, Brad Stanway; Phil Brazendale, Hayden James, Tom Brown, Jordan Williams, Mitchell McJay, Matt Barber. Subs: Ian Boden, Jordan Thomason, Dave Boden, Matt Mahoney.