BRAD Stanway was the star of the show as Rob Campbell’s term as Crosfields head coach got off to a winning start against Skirlaugh in round one of the new National Conference League Division One season.

As well as kicking well and orchestring his side, the Soap scrum-half scored an important second-half try and created another to put the game beyond the visitors at Hood Lane.

Soap got off to a great start, crossing for three tries through Tom Millington, Jack Williams and Alex Clutterbuck in the opening quarter, with Stanway converting twice.

Skirlaugh responded with two Jack Danby tries late in the half, with Alex Gilbey improving once as the deficit was cut to 14-10 for the interval.

The heavens opened in the second half and after Skirlaugh’s Callum Tranmer was sin-binned for use of an elbow Stanway crossed in style.

As he appeared to slow down to escape the clutches of a middle defender he put his foot on the gas to break clear and dive between the posts after 57 minutes. Nathan Taylor took over kicking duties and was successful.

Clutterbuck was sin-binned for Crosfields after a professional foul following a Skirlaugh break, but the visitors could not make it count and a frustrated Harrison Morrow was sin-binned.

Soap then secured victory in the last minute when a well-weighted kick from Stanway was perfect for Luke Walker to pounce and Taylor completed the scoring.