2 weeks Ago
AWAY day specialists North Wales Crusaders have done it again! Carl Forster’s side are yet to play a League One game at home this season, but that hasn’t been a disadvantage and Crusaders battled back from an early deficit to end leaders Midlands Hurricanes’ unbeaten start to the season. North Wales overhauled a 12-point deficit to win 31-18 and make it four wins out of four in the league. In windy conditions, Crusaders looked to impose themselves on the match in the early stages.
They were given a good opportunity when they were awarded a penalty in the opening 10 minutes for a high tackle on Pat Ah Van, however a knock-on saw the danger end. The opening score did arrive in the 20th minutes and it went the way of Midlands. Ross Oakes claimed the opening try with Jake Sweeting converting.
Crusaders weren’t helped when Lloyd Roby was sent to the sin bin. Two minutes later and Midlands stretched their lead out to 12 points. Matty Chrimes crossed the whitewash for another try that was converted by Sweeting.
Playing catch-up, North Wales knew they needed the next score and this duly arrived just before half-time. It was an opportunistic effort as Matt Reid intercepted Sweeting’s pass and then raced in from 60 metres for an unconverted try. That’s exactly how Crusaders would have wanted to finish the first half and there was a bit more of a spring in their step when they came out for the second half.
Just five minutes after the interval, Crusaders cut the deficit to just two points. Jordy Gibson, who grabbed a crucial try in his side’s win over Workington Town last month, was at it again with a try that was converted by Jamie Dallimore. Crusaders remained on the front foot and they had the lead for the first time in the 50th minute.
Ah Van crashed over for North Wales’ third try and the conversion attempt from Dallimore struck the post. What a fightback this was from North Wales and things got even better in the 56th minute. Following a goal-line drop-out, a short ball from Ant Walker sent Sam Walker over and for the second time in the game, Dallimore’s conversion effort struck the post.
This meant Crusaders had a six-point advantage and North Wales moved further clear with 17 minutes remaining as Gibson regathered his grubber kick for the try and Dallimore added the extras. It wasn’t yet game over, though, and on 66 minutes, Josh Jordan-Roberts grabbed a try that was converted by Sweeting. Gibson landed a drop goal from 30 metres out to take Crusaders’ lead out to seven points and in the last minute, Walker grabbed a try and Dallimore nailed the conversion.
Workington Town defeated second-placed Whitehaven 10-8, while Rochdale Hornets pipped Swinton Lions 8-7. Dewsbury Rams eased to a 56-6 success over Newcastle Thunder and Goole Vikings triumphed 24-18 at Keighley Cougars..
