Woolston Rovers 28 Crosfields 31

THE top two in the National Conference League Division Three did not disappoint on Thursday night but it was Crosfields who came away with the derby spoils.

A large crowd at Monk Sports Club saw Soap dominate for much of the game as Rovers surrendered their six-match winning run despite a spirited late fightback.

The result means Crosfields move five points clear at the top of the division having played a game more than Rovers.

The visitors made the perfect start when Chris Burgess scored in the right corner before Billy Sheen went between the posts to finish off a fine break from Jack Reid, who converted both scores to make it 12-0.

Rovers got themselves on the board when they went through the hands to Craig Middlemore, who ran through the Soap defence to score, with Chris Twigg adding the conversion.

However, Crosfields ended the half well, with Sheen going in for his second before a conversion and a drop goal from Reid made it 19-6 at the break.

Christian Taylor narrowed the gap for Rovers, but Joe Moore’s try from an angled run restored the visitors’ advantage.

Taylor squeezed over again to keep the hosts in touch, but Sheen completed his hat-trick shortly after and Reid’s conversion made Rovers’ task a tricky one at 31-16 down.

Converted tries from Billy Maunder and substitute Simon Counsell got them close, but in the end Crosfields hung on for a deserved victory.

Rovers: Theo Holt; Chris Twigg, Justin Becker, Craig Middlemore,Christian Taylor; Will Chadwick, Billy Maunder; Chris Mellor, Ryan Brown, Matt Clarke, Cameron Davies, Dan Fearnley, Anthony Clayton. Subs: Chris Brown, Sam Wood, Bobby McGregor, Simon Counsell.

Soap: Ash Cornelia; Nathan Taylor, Chris Burgess, Chris Hull, Kieron Thomas; Jack Reid, Billy Sheen; John Pickersgill, Hayden James, Jordan Ansell, Matt Mahoney, Joe Moore, Matt Clarke. Subs: Ian Boden, Ben Mellor, Matt Barber, Lewis Bani.