Askam 12 Crosfields 34

HEAD coach Ian Boden says Crosfields passed “a test of character” as they inflicted Askam’s first home loss of the season.

Soap ran in six tries in all as they prevented a third defeat in a row to maintain their hopes of automatic promotion from National Conference League Division Two.

Luke Walker scored twice for the visitors, with Mitch McJay, Ben Mellor and Phil Brazendale also crossing the whitewash while skipper Jack Reid added four conversions and a penalty.

With two league games remaining, their hopes of bypassing the play-offs are out of their hands, with second-placed Dewsbury Moor three points ahead of them.

However, Boden – who also got himself on the scoresheet – says the least his side can do is take maximum points to end the regular season in good form.

“A first defeat at home for Askam is a testament to how well we played,” he said.

“It was a real test of character and we reacted.

“We had a game plan today and we came out of the blocks in style. Askam just wouldn’t lie down and tested us for 80 minutes.

“All we can do is win our two remaining games, and we will be in a strong position for play-off success.”

After Soap forced an early knock-on, they took full advantage when Walker stepped inside to score the game’s opening try.

Reid then kicked a penalty as Askam were penalised for dissent before feeding a strong-running McJay, who hit a great angle to go through the gap for a try.

Askam got off the mark through Tom Wilkinson’s try, but once again Reid was their tormentor-in-chief as his short ball allowed Mellor to charge over.

After the break, a bulldozing Brazendale drive brought Soap further comfort before Mark Tyson got Askam’s second try.

However, the visitors stretched away in the closing stages as quick hands put Boden over in the corner before Walker rounded things off with his second try.

Soap’s next league game sees them host Drighlington on September 1.

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Alex Clutterbuck, Ian Boden, Luke Walker, Nathan Taylor; Jack Reid, Joe Clarke; Phil Brazendale, Hayden James, Dave Boden, Jordan Williams, Mitch McJay, Tom Millington. Subs: Ben Mellor, Matt Mahoney, Jordan Ansell, Matt Barber.