North Wales Crusaders Off to a Winning Start

Sunday 16th Feb saw the start of the 2014-15 season for the North Wales Crusaders in the Kingstone Press Championship.

Having produced a superb season in 2013 winning both the Championship 1 League trophy and the Northern Rail Bowl, not to mention promotion to the 2nd tier in professional Rugby League, the Kingstone Press Championship. There is a great buzz around the club at the moment and support is growing within Wrexham and the surrounding area.

Here is the full match report from this weekend courtesy of Ryan Gould.

North Wales Crusaders claimed an opening day victory over Barrow Raiders despite playing for half an hour with 12 men.

Off-season recruit Michael Platt was sent off for fighting – but that only spurred on the Welsh side as they recorded two tries to Barrow’s none while playing with one man less.

Tries from Stuart Reardon, Rob Massam and Karl Ashall helped Crusaders on their way to a 18-12 half-time advanatage, and further tries after the break from Johnson, Craig Ashall and Adamson cancelled out Dalton Grant’s effort just after half-time.

Stuart Reardon went close early on but he couldn’t collect Jamie Dallimore’s grubber kick, which had a bit too much weight on it.

But it was Reardon who gave Crusaders the lead. Jonny Walker hit the line and managed to offload the ball out of the tackle for Reardon to cross in the left corner.

It didn’t take long for the visitors to come up with a response, though, as Dalton Grant collected a misplaced pass from Stephen Wild and raced clear to score.

Crusaders soon regained the lead when, from a neat grubber kick from Jamie Dallimore, Rob Massam slid in at the corner.

The home side had possession stacked on their side. They couldn’t make the most of it and Barrow made them pay, as Dalton Grant pushed away tackles from Adam Clay and Mark Offerdahl to go over for his second.

Shortly afterwards Crusaders conceded a penalty for interference at the play-the-ball – and Ian Mort slotted over the goal from infront of the posts.

It looked as though the sides would be heading in to the break on levels terms, but Karl Ashall saw a gap in the Barrow defence and scooted over for a try from acting half a minute before the hooter

Whatever Barrow coach Anthony Murray said to his side at the break, it certainly worked as Dalton Grant collected a loose ball to cross for his hat-trick try.

Crusaders were dealt a huge blow on the next set after Grant’s try when Michael Platt was sent off for punching.

However, that had no affect on Crusaders – they simply got stronger after the dismissal. Tommy Johnson managed to squeeze his way over the line from close range a couple of minutes after.

Craig Ashall then went over for a similar to his brother’s, spotting a gap and darting through to score.

A big defensive effort kept Barrow out for the remainder of the game and a try from Toby Adamson, set up by Andy Moulsdale on the overlap, capped off a great opening victory for Crusaders.

Allington Hughes are again delighted to be involved with the club this year as we continue our sponsorship of club captain Andy Moulsdale, while also advertising at the ground and holding our joint annual golf day in the summer.

We are looking forward to updating the blog with the Crusaders progress throughout the season, and wish them the very best of luck - Come on Cru!

North Wales Crusaders

Coach Clive Griffiths with captain Andy Moulsdale alongside Chairman of the Crusaders and Director at Allington Hughes Ian Edwards.