Crusaders claim second place in Pool 3 but fail to reach the Challenge Trophy Semi-Final

REPORT

• North Wales Crusaders defeated Widnes Vikings and Hull KR in their first ever meetings.
• North Wales Crusaders lose their RFL 24 game undefeated streak as they fall to a last-minute Sheffield Eagles try in the final game of Pool 3.
• North Wales Crusaders defeated former Super League side, Warrington Wolves in a close affair.
  

In a day which saw each fixture last 20* minutes with no half time, the Crusaders were took on Widnes Vikings, Hull KR, Warrington Wolves and Sheffield Eagles with the group winner taking progressing to the semi-final.

In the sides opening game, they took on Widnes Vikings (formally Mersey Storm & St. Helens) in what is a first ever meeting between the two sides.

The Crusaders showed their experience and talent and took pure control of this game with Jonathan Gill and Stephen Halsey dominating the scoring for the Crusaders. A last grasp try for the Vikings ensured that the score wasn’t a white-wash. The Crusaders coming away 28-4 victors.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS: Stephen Halsey, Wyatt Jones, Jess Booth, Jonathan Gill, Martin Turner, Harry Jones, Jakub Wasieczko, Matthew Turner

Tries: Stephen Halsey x2, Jonathan Gill x2, Wyatt Jones

Goals: Halsey 3/4, Gill 1/1

Referees: Karli Wilkinson, Paul Ward

In the sides second game of the morning fixtures, the Crusaders took on Hull KR in what was a first ever meeting between the two sides.

The Crusaders once again showcased their experience and talent as they completely shutout the Rovers as they came away 28-0 victors following some tries from Stephen Halsey, Jakub Wasieczko and Jonathan Gill.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS: Stephen Halsey, Wyatt Jones, Jess Booth, Jonathan Gill, Martin Turner, Harry Jones, Jakub Wasieczko, Matthew Turner

Tries: Stephen Halsey x3, Jonathan Gill x2, Jakub Wasieczko

Goals: Halsey 4/5

Referees: Alex Chandler, Rhett Johnson

In what was an extremely close encounter, the Crusaders took on former Super League side, Warrington Wolves.

Both sides were very evenly matched with both sides attempting to break the deadlock, however, the international experience of the Crusaders seemed to be the breaking point for the Wolves as Harry Jones was on the end of a short pass by Halsey, crossing for the games only try, Halsey adding the extras to give the Crusaders a narrow victory.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS: Stephen Halsey, Wyatt Jones, Jess Booth, Jonathan Gill, Martin Turner, Harry Jones, Jakub Wasieczko, Matthew Turner

Tries: Harry Jones

Goals: Halsey 1/1

Referees: Grant Jackson, Adam Rigby

In what was billed as a clash of titans within the group, the Crusaders took on Sheffield Eagles as both teams looked to secure their place in the semi-finals and end the others undefeated group stage.

In an extremely close encounter, the Eagles were the first to cross as they went over in the corner following a long kick, successfully adding the extras.

The Crusaders looked to bounce back as Harry Jones and Stephen Halsey looked to use their international experience to turn the game in their favour.

To which they did successfully with Jones once again on the receiving end of a short pass by Halsey to cross in the corner, Halsey adding the extras to take it to level board with just 10 minutes left to play.

The game was soon controversially drawn to a stoppage due to a large amount of blood across the pitch with the match officials unwilling to stop the clock. After six minutes of stoppages, the game was back underway. The Crusaders thought they had a chance to seal the game with a penalty shot at goal, however, the shot missing but winning an 8-metre drop-out.

The drop-out gave the Crusaders the ball back in their half as Halsey shepherded his side up the pitch to within drop-goal range. The Eagles charged down the attempt at the 1-pointer, chasing down the attempt to cross next to the uprights with just a minute left to play. The Crusaders were not able to regather the kick-off, giving the Eagles the victory and ending the Crusaders’ undefeated RFL streak.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS: Stephen Halsey, Wyatt Jones, Jess Booth, Jonathan Gill, Martin Turner, Harry Jones, Jakub Wasieczko, Matthew Turner

Tries: Harry Jones

Goals: Halsey 1/2

Drop-Goals: Halsey 0/1

Referees: Grant Jackson, Paul Ward