WILD weather, red cards and a thrilling contest – Saturday’s Warrington Cup Final had it all.

Crosfields and Woolston Rovers defied Storm Dennis to battle it out with the aim of landing an early psychological blow ahead of the 2020 season.

In the end, it was Soap who claimed a 24-16 win at Victoria Park to make it a Warrington Cup double for the Hood Lane side after their ‘A’ team beat Culcheth Eagles to win the Alliance Cup in August.

The sides will meet again in National Conference League Division Two later this season but for the time being, it is Crosfields that rule the roost.

“I'm very proud of my lads. That was one gutsy performance,” Crosfields head coach Ian Boden said.

“I was concerned about only having a 10-6 lead at half time, knowing the increasing gales were hitting us head on in the second half.

“But we are learning to manage games better and Jack Reid – closely supported by Joe Clarke – guided us around all four corners of the pitch.

“If this game is anything to go by, we should have a couple of humdingers against Woolston this year.”

Warrington Guardian:

Jack Reid

The first of a hat-trick of tries for full-back Luke Walker got Soap off to the perfect start before the same player scored a stunning long-range effort to extend the lead.

Josh Sudlow twisted over to get Woolston back into the game just before the break, making for an interesting second half with the wind in Woolston’s favour.

However, it was Crosfields who made the perfect start as Clarke touched down close to the posts.

Warrington Guardian:

Joe Clarke touches down for Crosfields

Rovers would not lie down, though, and Wil Maudsley capitalised on a Soap handling error to go on a half-field run to the line.

Walker’s hat-trick try kept Woolston at arm’s length, but back came the Monk Sports Club men again as Craig Middlemore squeezed over in the left corner.

Dan Reid got the crucial final score in Crosfields’ favour, however, as he stepped inside to score while Woolston’s match ended in undisciplined fashion.

Warrington Guardian:

Dan Reid gets Soap's crucial try

After having James Jones sent to the sin bin for dissent, they then had hooker Ryan Brown sent off for a high tackle and were left to lick the wounds of defeat.

“Firstly, congratulations to Crosfields on winning the game and the trophy,” Woolston head coach Mal Holt said.

“It was not ideal rugby weather but both sides gave a good account of themselves in a fierce encounter.

“We are obviously disappointed to have lost the game but can take a lot of positives from it and it has also shown us areas where we need to improve.”

Both sides start their NCL Division Two seasons with away games on March 7 – Crosfields travel to Bradford Dudley Hill and Rovers go to Beverley.

Crosfields: Luke Walker; Dan Reid, Jack Roper, Daniel Garcia, Aaron Holliday; Brad Stanway, John Whittaker; Tom Brown, Jack Reid, Mitch McJay, Sam Hickey, Louis Wainwright, Joe Clarke. Subs: Jordan Williams, Jordan Chilton, Elliott Bridge, Ian Boden

Woolston: Conner Muir; Wil Maudsley, Justin Becker, Karlton Bates, Craig Middlemore; Theo Holt, Kieran Moore; Sam Roberts, Ryan Brown, Ryan Hickman, James Jones, Dan Griffiths, Harry Files. Subs: Tom Byrne, Josh Sudlow, Adam Files, Ben Moore