AN unprecedented year of success for Crosfields RLFC’s junior section has been capped by a double cup triumph.
For the first time ever, two age groups from the Hood Lane club have won their respective Lancashire Cup titles as the under 12s and under 15s celebrated glory.
With the senior side earning promotion from National Conference League Division Two this year, the club is evidently in rude health at all levels.
“To get two teams into the final is an amazing result for us,” the club’s junior chairman Lewis Worthington said.
“To have them both win is one of the best results the club have ever experienced at both junior and senior levels.”
The under 12s have had an extraordinary year, earning promotion from their league campaign and reaching the semi-finals of the North West Counties Cup.
They took some big scalps on route to the Lancashire Cup Final, where they faced St Helens side Blackbrook Royals in their toughest test to date.
However, they passed it with flying colours, winning 26-0 to ensure they lifted the trophy.
Their achievement is made all the more remarkable by the situation they found themselves in when the season began, as coach Mike Buller explains.
“Considering we were worried back in March that we wouldn’t have a squad big enough to survive the campaign, I couldn’t be prouder,” he said.
“A recruitment drive which brought in several players new to the sport paid off dividends.
“This player group has a fantastic attitude and work ethic and I can’t wait to see what they can achieve in the future.”
Under 12s squad: Harley Jay Ward, Bailey Morris, Toby Birchall, Beno Ryan, Noah Dean, Jack Oliver, Ellis Burrows, Bobby McGowan, Blake Toher, Isaac Lydon, Teddy Hastings, Oliver Harrison, Josh James- York, Austin Nicholson, Evan Barlow, Max Humphreys, Joel Jack, Adam Pucill, Lucas Orgill, Joe Barrett, Harry Buller, Cole Lavin, Patrick Daintith
The under 15s team featured several members of the Great Sankey High School Year 10 side that won the Champion Schools tournament this year, backing up their victory at Wembley Stadium as Year Sevens in the same competition in 2019.
Their latest club success was secured thanks to a 22-16 final victory over Leigh Miners and caps a season in which they have gone undefeated to win the North West Counties Division One title.
Back row (left to right): Matthew Evans, Oliver Evans, Jack Butterworth, Harrison Rigby, Daniel Hackney, Oliver Garmston, Oliver Bishop, Daniel Regan, Flynn Holden, Kaden Johnson, Bradley Kernahan
Front row (left to right): Matty Johnstone, Adam Dale, Charlie Walker, Jacob Bull, Junior Westwood (Captain), Lachlan Webster, Lucas Mulqueeney, Billy Hughes
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