Castleford Panthers 17

Crosfields 18

CROSFIELDS secured a dramatic victory with the last kick of extra time to earn a trip to Skirlaugh in the semi finals of the GMB Union National Cup on April 23.

Soap's valiant performance appeared to be in vain as they trailed Castleford 17-16 in the last minute of the additional period, but a penalty from man of the match Jimmy Williams enabled them to pull off a shock result against their higher division opponents.

It was Crosfields' second successive one-point victory in the competition after they had sneaked past Kells in the last round, but their first half performance had suggested there would be no need for extra time.

Phil Bannon opened the scoring after collecting an off-load from Chris Newall, who had raced through a gap before being stopped just short of the try line.

Castleford's Kevin Till replied by chasing his own kick to cross, but a strong finish to the half from Crosfields saw Dave Gibbons score in the corner, before Newall gathered Eddie Bannon's deft chip to go over.

Panthers fought back fiercely in the second half and took the lead as Till grabbed his second try and Neil Bennett also crossed.

Williams' penalty levelled the scores at 16-16 to force a period of extra time, which looked to be going Castleford's way when Jamie Benn kicked a drop goal in the 83rd minute.

But as Williams attempted a late drop goal of his own to tie the match, a Panthers defender was penalised for off-side while trying to block the effort, allowing Williams to win the match with the resulting penalty.

Crosfields: Kris Buckley; Phil Bannon, Russ Parkman, Chris Newall, Fraser Linaker; Jimmy Williams, Dave Gibbons; Terry Reid, Eddie Bannon, Barry Lowe, Craig Noone, Matty Pitt, John Bannon. Subs: Greg Pickett, Dave Lucas, Ian Lucas, Dave Pennington.

Soap return to National Conference Division Two action with a trip to Heworth on Saturday, kick-off 2.30pm. Coach departure details are available by contacting the club on 411730.