Crosfields A 26 Rylands Sharks 18

IN a thrilling Warrington Alliance Cup semi-final at Hood Lane, Crosfields A advanced to the final with victory over Rylands Sharks.

In a game that pitted Soap A head coach Andrew Campbell against his brother Rob – who coaches the Sharks – both sides enjoyed spells of control.

However, it was Soap who earned the right to face Burtonwood Bridge in the final at Victoria Park next Thursday.

The hosts opened the scoring when Taylor Boyne crossed after latching onto a pass from Brad Stanway, who added the conversion.

Josh Whitham then profited from Bailey Hartley’s excellent offload to get on the scoresheet himself and give Soap a two-score lead.

After Stanway had a try chalked off for a double movement, Rylands stirred and Nick Braide got them rolling with a characteristic run and try, with Jack Lewis converting.

Crosfields still led 10-6 at the break, but Braide then put Lewis through a gap and he could not be stopped. His try and conversion gave the Sharks the lead for the first time.

On their next attack, Chris Forster’s grubber kick was touched down by Casey Brown and Rylands suddenly had an eight-point lead.

Back came Crosfields again and Boyne crashed over for his second try before Danny Lee’s excellent breakaway try put them back in front.

This time, it was a lead they would not relinquish and with the final play of the match, they sealed victory when Stanway and Boyne combined again to send Ben Kenwright over.