King Cross Park A 26 Silsden 10

SILSDEN were left ruing crucial decisions from the referee and a lack of organisation in attack and defence as they slipped to defeat on another mudbath of a pitch.

The Cobbydalers had beaten the same opposition just a few weeks ago in the cup and travelled confidently with a full squad.

However, their bubble was burst after just a few minutes when their young and enthusiastic Halifax hosts put some good passes together to outnumber the defence on the right and score in the corner.

The visitors, playing down the slope but into the teeth of the gale, hit back when, after some strong drives close to the line from their big forwards, Jonny Crowther got over from acting half.

Silsden got on the wrong side of the referee and continued to give penalties away, although they were on the wrong end of some tough calls from the official.

King Cross took full advantage of both position and possession to run in another well-worked try, this time converted for a 10-4 half-time advantage.

They increased their lead but the gap was closed once again when Crowther got in for his second, this time under the posts for a six-pointer as Jak Adams converted.

The home team produced another good try though, with Silsden running out of defenders out wide. The match was sealed when a more fortunate effort was scored under the posts following a kick.

Ben Ross was given man of the match for Silsden, with Adams also putting in a big effort and Ben Atkinson making a solid start in the scrum half role.

Silsden host Boothtown Terriers on Saturday in the league.