Crosfields v Woolston Rovers Pre season double header
CROSFIELDS 24 WOOLSTON ROVERS 12 CROSFIELDS ‘A’ 10 WOOLSTON ROVERS ‘A’ 18
Woolston Rovers travelled to near neighbours Crosfields as part of a ‘double-header for their first pre-season friendly and in a very exciting and close encounter it was the home side that prevailed at the Webb Security Stadium, Hood Lane on Saturday afternoon in the battle of the two NCL teams.
Rovers took the lead after seven minutes when Lewis Hoarty scored and the big centre increased his sides lead with his second touchdown before Crosfields responded with a try from centre Chris Hull that was converted by scrum half Brad Stanway.
Just before the break Crosfields moved ahead for the first time when stand off John Whittaker scored and Stanway’s conversion gave the Soap a slender 12-8 half time advantage.
Rovers got themselves level once again just before the hour when Hoarty put winger Justin Becker over in the right corner but eight minutes later Crosfields were back ahead when Whittaker went over for in the left corner. Stanway landed a fine touchline conversion.
Crosfields made sure of the victory five minutes from time when Whittaker completed his hat trick. Stanway converted to give his side a hard fought 24-12 victory.
SOAP
Tyler Whittaker, Dan Reid, Chris Hull, Kane Ditchfield, Alex Clutterbuck, John Whittaker, Brad Stanway, Phil Brazendale, Hayden James, Tom Millington, Joe Moore, Jordan Williams, Joe Clarke.
Subs: Sam Hickey, Matt Mahoney, Jordan Ansell, Matt Barber, Bailey Hartley.
ROVERS
Will Chadwick, Justin Becker, Aaron Barber, Lewis Hoarty, Alex Dunne, Theo Holt, Conner Muir, Dan Fearnley, Ryan Brown, Jack Sherratt, James Jones, Anthony Clayton, Harry Files.
Subs: Dec Leonard, Callum Harnett-Smy, Cameron Davies, Christian Taylor, Kieran Moore.
The ‘double-header’ between Crosfields and Woolston started with the NWML game and in an evenly matched game for long parts it was Rovers ‘A’ who took the spoils on Saturday afternoon at the Webb Security Stadium, Hood Lane.
A tight opening meant that the scoreboard stayed untouched until the twenty sixth minute when the home side opened the scoring through a try for hooker Danny Lee that scrum half Jack Williams converted but then on the half hour Rovers second row Tom Woodward scored a try that full back Liam Sullivan goaled to level matters and make the half time score 6-6.
Just after the break Rovers moved ahead when winger Josh Bray went over for a try. Sullivan converted and just after the hour they moved further clear when scrum half Billy Maunder scored. Sullivan added the conversion.
Crosfields ‘A’ gained a consolation try in the closing minutes when full back Matt Lomax scored but it was not enough as Rovers ‘A’ recorded a very good 18-10 win.
SOAP ‘A’
Matt Lomax, Dave Newman, Bailey Hartley, Josh Whitham, Nathan Hamilton, Louis Walsh, Jack Williams, Troy Holcroft, Danny Lee, Mitch McJay, Jordan Chilton, Ash Catterall, Sam Hickey.
Subs: Tom Sutherland, Dave Boden, Rob Bonehill, Elliot Bridge, Phil Atherton, Ben Kenwright, Dave Manfredi.
ROVERS ‘A’
Liam Sullivan, Olly Parr, Danny Griffiths, Callum Moore, Josh Bray, Jake Eccles, Billy Maunder, Matt Clarke, Kieran Moore, Matt Davy, Niall Toher, Tom Woodward, Phil Risley.
Subs: Sam Driscoll, Nathan Evans, Richard Potts, Tom Wrench, Conor Clarke, Tom Harvey, Max Ainsworth.