Skirlaugh 36

Crosfields 26

CROSFIELDS missed out on an appearance in the final of amateur rugby league's GMB Union National Cup with a defeat at Skirlaugh in the last four.

Soap had previously pulled off a shock win at Castleford Panthers to become the only National Conference League Division Two side to reach the semi finals, but could not overturn another higher division outfit to reach the final of a competition they won in 1989.

Crosfields started brightly against Premier Division Skirlaugh, but conceded the first try and went on to fall 24-8 behind.

Crosfields' first-half points had come when a grubber kick from man of the match Jimmy Williams set up Phil Bannon for a try and Fraser Linaker's chip was chased and touched down by Kris Buckley.

Determined Crosfields hit back after conceding an early second-half try.

Buckley raced 50 metres to score and Dave Gibbons grounded another try after Skirlaugh's Phil Elbourne had touched down.

Phil Bannon got on the end of his own chip and crossed, but time was against Crosfields.

Crosfields: Kris Buckley; Phil Bannon, Russ Parkman, Fraser Linaker, Dave Pennington; Jimmy Williams, Dave Gibbons; Terry Reid, Eddie Bannon, Barry Lowe, Matty Pitt, Craig Noone, John Bannon. Subs: Dave Boden, Dave Lucas, Mark Hickey, Chris Burgess.

Crosfields entertain Ovenden on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm, and Stanningley on Wednesday, kick-off 7pm.

Orrell St James 24

Rylands 16

RYLANDS crashed out of the Premier Cup after the British Amateur Rugby League Association ruled that they should play their quarter final match against Orrell away from home.

However, they did race into an 8-0 lead in the cup clash as a try was added to by two Peter Leonard goals, but although Leonard goaled again after the interval Orrell edged 12-10 ahead.

The home side then were reduced to 12 men on the hour mark, but Rylands failed to take advantage as Orrell ran in two more tries before Matthews grabbed a late consolation.