Defence key to Sharks win

Crosfields 0

THEY say defence wins matches and this certainly proved the case in this National Conference League Division Two mid-table clash at a boggy Leeds Road.

Shaw Cross were dogged in defence and for the second time this season managed to prevent the opposition from scoring.

Coach Brett Turner said: “I told the lads before the game that if we wanted to progress up the league we needed to beat the teams around us, Crosfields are exactly that.

“The conditions made it unspectacular but I’d take that scoreline every week, to see nil next to the opposition’s name for a second time this season is very satisfying.”

The Sharks showed their intentions early on as Crosfields produced a spell of intense pressure and the home side managed to repel six straight sets of six.

It appeared that Shaw Cross were never going to get into the opponents’ half.

Captain John Rourke led the defence with some tremendous tackling, while centre Danny Annakin produced a superb effort in attack.

His aggressive running and thundering tackles rightly earned him man-of-the-match.

Props Steve Talbot and Chris Jones worked tirelessly carrying the ball upfield in extremely muddy conditions.

Ben Diskin and his half-back partner Andrew Tillotson produced a partnership that proved too strong for Crosfields.

It took 60 minutes before the Sharks broke the deadlock when Adam Bird scored in the corner. Diskin converted.

The game was marred by a serious injury to second row David Hudson, who was taken to hospital with a badly broken hand, which needed surgery and the club wish him a speedy recovery.

Shaw Cross sealed victory in the 71st minute when Bird again proved too powerful out wide to score his second try.

Diskin, who is proving faultless with the boot, converted to round off a hard-earned but deserved victory.

Shaw Cross welcome Elland to Leeds Road on Saturday (ko 2.30pm).