Crosfields 38 Wigan St Judes 22

IAN Boden believes fitness won the day as his Crosfields side made it back-to-back wins against National Conference League Division Two’s leading pair.

Fresh from impressively ending leaders Ince Rose Bridge’s 100 per cent home record last week, second-place Wigan St Judes were put to the sword at Hood Lane on Saturday.

The victory allows Soap to keep their own play-off hopes alive as they take a short break from their league schedule to host the Tom Sephton Memorial Trophy for Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

Seven different players crossed the whitewash for Soap, with John Whittaker, Dan Reid and Luke Walker among the scorers.

Nathan Taylor, Hayden James, Mitchell McJay and Tom Millington were also on the scoresheet, with skipper Jack Reid booting over five goals.

Head coach Boden thought his side should have finished Judes off sooner than they did but was happy enough with the end result.

“A great effort from my players – their fitness was the difference in the end,” he said.

“I enjoyed the game but we should have finished Judes off early in the second half.

“We've found over the years that they are relentless in their efforts and it wasn't till the last 10 minutes that we effected the win.”

Crosfields: John Whittaker; Dan Reid, Luke Walker, Daniel Brien, Nathan Taylor; Jack Reid, Brad Stanway; David Boden, Hayden James, Tom Brown, Jordan Williams, Mitchell McJay, Joe Clarke. Subs: Ian Boden, Tom Millington, Matt Barber, Sam Hickey