Saddleworth Rangers 4 Crosfields 6

DESPITE having three players sin-binned, Crosfields finished the regular season with a win.

Phil Brazendale, Hayden James and John Whittaker were all yellow-carded in a 20-minute spell either side of half-time, but Jack Reid’s try and conversion was enough for them to grind out victory.

Soap were already assured of finishing third and of a home play-off tie before the game and they may still face Rangers in the semi-finals.

“I don’t think the spectators were expecting as good a game that was dished up in the conditions, and it went to the wire,” head coach Ian Boden said.

“I had a lot of lads missing and a makeshift bench, so it was always going to be a tough game.

“The second half was edge of your seat rugby, something was happening in every set of six.

“Our third place was secured and people were saying we had nothing to play for, but I have immense respect for my players.

“They played for the Crosfields badge and they should be proud of themselves.

“Saddleworth gave 100 per cent too and if we meet them in the play offs, its sure to be a humdinger!”

Both sides missed penalties before Brazendale was sin-binned for dissent just before half-time, but Soap held out to ensure the game remained scoreless at the break.

Two minutes after the restart, though, the visitors lost hooker James for interference to reduce them to 11 men.

Brazendale had returned by the time Saddleworth opened the scoring as Adam Jeffrey crossed, with Chris Hough crucially missing the conversion.

James had not long since rejoined the action when Whittaker became the third Soap player to be yellow-carded for not returning the ball after a home 40/20.

Despite that, Crosfields were on the offensive and Reid forced his way over from close range for what turned out to be the winning try.

Soap’s next game will be the play-off semi-final at Hood Lane on Saturday, September 29, with their opponents yet to be decided.

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Dan Reid, Jordan Chilton, Ian Boden, Nathan Taylor; Jack Reid, Joe Clarke; Phil Brazendale, Hayden James, Dave Boden, Sam Hickey, Tom Millington, Matt Barber. Subs: Tom Brown, Elliot Bridge, Andrew Campbell.