Crosfields 24 Saddleworth Rangers 50

CROSFIELDS’ hopes of promotion from National Conference League Division Two are over as head coach Ian Boden admitted they were “outplayed” in their play-off semi-final.

Visitors Saddleworth Rangers scored 34 unanswered points either side of half time to end Soap’s dreams of claiming the final promotion spot.

Saddleworth will face Wigan St Judes for a place in Division One while Boden’s side, who finished third in the final league table, are left to reflect on what might have been.

“We were outplayed. Full credit to Saddleworth and their supporters,” the Soap head coach said.

“They were big, mobile and had the composure from some old-headed players.

“It wasn’t the best way to finish the season, but if you’d have offered me a play-off place when I took over, I’d have taken it.

“I suggested it would be a humdinger, but unfortunately we didn’t contribute enough to the game.”

After soaking up some early pressure, Soap took the lead with their first possession of the game as Nathan Taylor batted a high kick back to Sam Hickey, who drew the full-back and fed Dave Boden for the opening try.

Michael Coates touched down to level the scores, but a mistake from the kick-off handed possession back to the hosts and they made the most of it as Jack Reid put Phil Brazendale through to score between the posts.

Tries from Daniel Bowker and Garth Morgan gave Saddleworth the lead, but Soap snatched it back when Luke Walker forced his way over on the left.

However, that was the last time Soap would be in the lead as Rangers went on the charge.

Either side of the interval, Morgan completed his hat-trick and Coates doubled his tally, with Samuel Hart, Ryan Moore and Adam Jeffrey also scoring to take Saddleworth to the 50-point mark.

Crosfields did at least have the final say as Reid, Walker and Brad Stanway combined to send Taylor over in the corner, but it was too little, too late.

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Dan Reid, Chris Hull, Luke Walker, Nathan Taylor; Brad Stanway, Jack Reid; Phil Brazendale, Joe Clarke, Dave Boden, Jordan Williams, Sam Hickey, Matt Barber. Subs: Daniel Lee, Tom Brown, Tom Millington, Elliot Bridge-Budgen.