Crosfields 16 Barrow Island 23

IAN Boden slammed a “lacklustre” first-half showing from his Crosfields side as they fell to back-to-back home defeats.

Soap turned round 18-4 down to Barrow Island and despite an improved showing after the break, they had given themselves too much of a mountain to climb.

They have now dropped from third to sixth in National Conference League Division Two, with their opponents one of three sides to leapfrog them.

Boden was critical of how his side managed the wretched conditions in the first half but refused to blame the weather as Storm Hannah swirled around Hood Lane.

“We were lacklustre in the first half and it cost us,” he said.

“We were poor with the ball and our discipline wasn't good enough

“Barrow Island deserved their win after managing the conditions better and commanding the centre of the park.

“Their pack was big, strong and mobile which laid the platform for the win.

“The weather didn't dictate our high penalty and error count.”

Soap actually got off to a decent start and took the lead when Jack Reid’s kick to the corner was fumbled and Luke Walker pounced to ground the ball.

That was how it stayed until Blain Marwood’s try nudged the visitors ahead just after the midway point of the first half.

From then on, Crosfields’ discipline crumbled and having to defend multiple back-to-back sets took its toll as Dan White and Josh Banham stretched Barrow out into a solid lead.

Soap had given themselves a lot to do, but they set about their task as Walker’s break set Reid up for another chip to the corner, with Aaron Holliday this time grounding just three minutes after the restart.

They looked to kick on but were hit by a breakaway try from Chris Burns which effectively ended the game as a contest.

Barrow then kicked a drop goal to extend the lead before Soap rallied, with Louis Wainwright crashing over before Billy Sheen’s 40/20 led to Scott Turton putting Dan Reid over.

Crosfields: Nathan Taylor; Aaron Holliday, Luke Walker, Scott Turton, Dan Reid; Jack Reid, Joe Clarke; Tom Brown, Hayden James, Phil Brazendale, Sam Hickey, Jordan Williams, Louis Wainwright. Subs: Billy Sheen, Elliot Bridge, Matt Barber, Jordan Ansell

Meanwhile, Crosfields A were beaten 36-6 by North West Men's League Division Three leaders Wigan Spring View.