Crosfields 18 Bank Quay Bulls 20

BANK Quay Bulls will defend the Carlsberg Warrington Cup against Rylands after stunning Crosfields with a late comeback victory in their hard-fought semi final.

Crosfields had the better of the early exchanges but once the Bulls began to get hold of some possession, they looked the more likely to score with breaks from Paul Cragg and Lee Caldwell unfortunate not to produce tries.

It took until the half hour mark for the deadlock to be broken when, after a sustained spell of Crosfields pressure, Matt Mahoney crossed for a try which Anthony Monks converted.

That boosted Crosfields and Jimmy Williams kicked a penalty goal to give them an 8-0 lead at the break.

Bank Quay made the perfect start to the second half as an angled run from Nick Braide split the Crosfields defence for a try to which Anthony Braide added the extra points.

The strong wind forced handling errors from both sides and it was Crosfields who took advantage of a Bulls error, with Phil Bannon crossing.

A second Jimmy Williams penalty goal increased the Conference side’s lead.

With 12 minutes remaining, Bank Quay failed to deal with a speculative kick and when Matt Mahoney gathered to go over for the try it seemed all over.

But Paul Cragg started the Bulls fightback as he burrowed over.

Then, as Crosfields started to panic, Nick Braide scored to put Bulls four points behind.

With time running out Bank Quay sensed an amazing comeback win and, after forcing a goal line drop out and receiving a penalty, Phil Braddish crashed over by the side of the posts to level the scores.

John Braddish added the extra points to give the Bulls the lead for the first time and send them into the final.

The Carlsberg Warrington Cup final between Rylands and Bank Quay will take place on Saturday at Crosfields, kick off 3pm, after the Alliance Cup Final between Crosfields A and Rylands Sharks A, kick off 1.30pm.