Crusaders claim a brace of victories in pre-season opener

REPORT

• North Wales Crusaders ‘A’ defeat Sheffield Eagles ‘A’ in a pre-season as they prepare for their Eagles prepare for a season in the RFL’s regional competition.

• Jess Booth made history as the first female Crusaders player to captain the side to a victory.

• Mark Drakeford returned to the Crusaders side after making a sole appearance last season whilst newbie, Kieren Barlow made his Wheelchair Rugby League debut.

The Crusaders ‘A’ team were able to match the first teams efforts and score early doors as Matthew Turner managed to cross the line and add the conversion after just four minutes.

The Crusaders were able to cross a further two times as captain Booth, crossed on the 10^th and 20^th minutes to extend the Welsh sides lead to 14 points.

After 15 minutes, Barlow was brought into action for his Wheelchair Rugby League debut, becoming approximately the Crusaders’ 130^th different player to represent the club. 

The Eagles were next to cross after some silky handling put Stuart Wilkinson over in the corner, taking the score-line to 14-4 in favour of the visitors after 22 minutes.

It took the Crusaders little over 10 minutes to get the next score of the half as Booth was once again able to cross the line in the 35^th minute. A small break in play due to a knee injury to Crusaders’ Sophie Bamford took her out of action for the game.

Booth’s partner, Wyatt Jones was next to cross as his try on the hooter took the score to 22-4 at the break.

Booth was the first break the deadlock in the second has as she crossed for her fourth try of the afternoon. 

An 18 minute break in the scoring was to follow as both teams traded strong defensive efforts and some errors but some top draw rugby was played that both ‘first teams’ would have been proud of. The Eagles were next on the scoresheet in what would turn out to be an end-to-end second half as Shaun Orton was able to power over in the corner.

After another 10 minute break in scoring, once again both teams demonstrated great defensive efforts but Matthew Turner was able to cross for a brace of tries, completing his hat-trick in the process.

The Eagles were able to able to once again end the game on a high as Jenny Pearson crossed for the games’ final score.

The Welsh side coming away with a 34-12 victory.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 'A': Wyatt Jones, Jessica Booth, Mark Drakeford, Matthew Turner, Ethan Neilson

INTERCHANGES: Sophie Bamford, Kieren Barlow

Tries: Wyatt Jones (30), Jessica Booth (10, 20, 25, 42), Matthew Turner (4, 70, 75)

Goals: Matthew Turner 1/8

SHEFFIELD EAGLES 'A': Jack Johnson, Stacey Roulson, Shaun Orton, Jenny Pearson, Stuart Wilkinson

INTERCHANGES: Christopher Brown, Julie Fimusanmi, Ben Wilson, Helen Calder

Tries: Stuart Wilkinson (22), Shaun Orton (60), Jenny Pearson (77)

Goals: Stacey Roulson 0/1, Shaun Orton 0/1, Ben Wilson 0/1

North Wales Crusaders 'A' Player of the Match: Jess Booth

Sheffield Eagles 'A Player of the Match: Christopher Brown

Referees: Grant Jackson, Matt Ball