Crusaders claim a brace of victories in pre-season opener

REPORT

• North Wales Crusaders defeat Sheffield Eagles in a pre-season as they prepare for their Championship West campaign at the All Saints Sports Centre over in Yorkshire.

• Three of Wales’ historic USA tour squad shine in the days opener as Crusaders come away 69-26 victors.
  

• Jess Booth and Jakub Wasieczko made their first starts whilst Sophie Bamford made her first appearance for the Crusaders ‘First Team’.

It took Crusaders just one minutes to get the opening score of the days opener as for Stephen Halsey showed his international talent by crossing in the corner, unsuccessfully converting his own try.

It then took Crusaders just five more minutes to cross as Halsey once again showed why he broke many scoring records last season by crossing for his second, this time his ability off the tee was not in doubt as he extended the Crusaders lead to 10 points.

However, not everything was plain sailing as Stephen Reilly of the Eagles crossed for his sides first try of the proceedings, pouncing on a Harry Jones error as he was not able to re-gather the kick-off. A successful conversion by European Rugby League ……. David Butler, put the Eagles straight back in the game.

There was then a large cooling off period in the action as it took until the 20^th minute for the next score as 2023 RFL Championship Player of the Year, Mason Baker was able to cross for the Crusaders with Halsey able to add the extras.

Once again, a Harry Jones error at the kick-off gifted the Eagles another try as Ben Simpson was able to cross to make the score 16-10 to the visitors.

The Crusaders were then able to take full control of the game as Stephen Halsey was able to cross before Crusaders’ Wyatt Jones was awarded a very dubious try as he seemingly dotted down in the corner after crossing the dead-ball-line, with Halsey opting to show some solidarity with the Eagles and purposely putting his kick short of the uprights.

A Halsey conversion from a Mason Baker try seemed to be the last bit of scoring for the half, however, a Stephen Halsey drop-goal on the hooter took his side 33-10 up at half time.

The second half was almost a repeat of the first as Halsey crossed for his fourth of the afternoon just a minute after the whistle with Harry Jones making up for his early errors managing to weave his way through the defence and dotting down under the sticks, Halsey adding the extras on both occasions.

Crusaders youngster, Jakub Wasieczko was next to cross as the 15-year-old grabbed himself a quickfire brace with Halsey adding the extras from the tee.

Stephen Halsey was able to cross for his fifth of the proceedings, albeit in dubious fashion as a double knock-on was missed with Halsey being awarded the try under the up-rights, however, he once again opted to miss the conversion.

A further 2 Halsey drop-goals extended his sides lead further, however, the Eagles were able to cross with little over five minutes left to play but the Welsh side quickly countered with Halsey crossing for his sides final try of the game.

The Eagles were able to get the last laugh as youngster Will Brooks was able to cross in the dying moments of the game.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS: Stephen Halsey, Mason Baker, Jess Booth, Harry Jones, Jakub Wasieczko

INTERCHANGES: Wyatt Jones, Sophie Bamford

Tries: Stephen Halsey (1, 6, 24, 41, 59, 77), Mason Baker (20, 30), Wyatt Jones (27), Harry Jones (45), Jakub Wasieczko (49, 51)

Goals: Halsey 9/12

Drop-Goals: Halsey 3/3

SHEFFIELD EAGLES: David Butler, Stephen Reilly, April Brooks, James Birchnall, Will Brooks

INTERCHANGES: Chris Haynes, Joe Wink-Simmonds, Vicky Brooks, Ben Simpson, Barry Grayson

Tries: Stephen Reilly (7, 67), Ben Simpson (22), Chris Haynes (74), Will Brooks (79)

Goals: David Butler 1/1, Joe Wink-Simmonds 2/4

North Wales Crusaders Player of the Match: Jakub Wasieczko

Sheffield Eagles Player of the Match: April Brooks

Referees: Matt Ball, Grant Jackson