Drighlington 18 Crosfields 24

CROSFIELDS defied a number of off-field issues to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a fine win over fellow high-flyers Drighlington.

Despite being hampered by a breakdown on the M62, a delayed kick-off and having only five minutes to warm up, the visitors scorched into a 10-0 lead and never looked back to go three points clear of local rivals Woolston Rovers at the top of the National Conference League Division Three.

John Pickersgill opened the scoring for Soap early on, before Joe Moore crossed to give them the perfect start.

The hosts hit back shortly after with their first score before they controversially edged in front when Soap’s appeals for a ball steal fell on deaf ears and Drig strolled over to give them a narrow advantage at the break.

However, Soap started the second half in ideal fashion as Billy Sheen’s speculative kick was chased down by Keiron Thomas for an unlikely score in the corner.

The hosts snatched the lead back after Soap’s failure to deal with a kick into the in-goal area was seized upon for another try.

It truly was a topsy-turvy game and it swung Soap’s way again when Thomas stripped the ball one-on-one after a high bomb from Jack Reid to score his second try.

Reid then dummied and stepped his way over to complete the scoring and ensure Soap’s was the league’s only remaining unbeaten record.

Crosfields: Cornelia; Taylor, Woodall, Rookes, Thomas; Reid, Sheen; Pickersgill, James, Brazendale, Mahoney, Moore, Barber. Subs: Clarke, Boden, Ansell, Hancroft