Crosfields 28

Waterhead 18

CROSFIELDS ended Waterhead's unbeaten run in Division Two of the National Conference League with a sterling second half effort after sharing the spoils in the first half.

Waterhead made the early running and were justly rewarded when stand-off John Perks and prop John Eastwood both scored in the corner.

They continued to pressure, but a kick into the Crosfields 20 metre area was collected by Russ Parkman who linked with Rob Ditchfield to send Danny Lomax on a 70-metre run to score the try of the game.

Crosfields levelled mid-way through the half when Gibbons kicked a penalty for holding down, but Waterhead continued to look dangerous and produced some entertaining play.

They were rewarded when they overlapped the Crosfields defence for Carlton Campbell to score in the corner.

Crosfields bounced back and a tap penalty was played to Matt Mahoney, who burst through the first line of defence before stepping the full back to touch down between the posts. Gibbons' conversion levelled the score, at 14-14.

Then a power play from Crosfields saw Parkman break through and feed the unopposed Ian Hannon, who scored in the corner for the home side to take the lead for the first time.

Crosfields again profited on the last tackle 10 minutes later as Carl Porter crashed over from acting half.

Waterhead refused to lie down and came back into the game when Campbell scored his second, but the failed conversion left the visitors too far adrift.

Andy Holroyd sealed the game for Crosfields when Gibbons dummied his way through and drew the full back before sending him clear for the score.

Peter Cannon was awarded man of the match and he was ably supported by Russ Mellor and Barry Lowe. Ditchfield and Parkman were the pick of the backs.

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