Crusaders claim the victory over Wakefield Trinity in a historical first meeting between the two sides

REPORT

• Ethan Neilson becomes the latest and youngest ever member of the Crusaders squad to reach 50 club appearances

• Wakefield put on a very fierce and try fest

• Fionn McCabe once again proves why he is one of the best youth prospects in the sport

The Crusaders started off hot out of the gates as Fionn McCabe was able to race away from deep in his own half to give his side the lead within 30 seconds.

Wakefield were however able to bounce straight back after regather the kick-off led to April Brookes catching the Crusaders napping to cross in the corner.

After withstanding a strong Wakefield attack, the Crusaders were forced to attack from deep. The Crusaders were able to convert this set into points, following some excellent attacking phases. Jonny Gill was able to offload to Harry Mitchell-Jones who crossed for his first of the afternoon.

Wakefield again looked strong coming off the back of conceding points. Regathering the kick-off gifting them a set deep in Crusaders territory, however this time the defence held strong, forcing a turnover 5-metres from the try line.

Though coming from deep, the Crusaders were once again able to convert this set into points. The home side found themselves 8-metres from the Wakefield line on the final tackle, a perfectly executed set play saw a cutout pass from Mitchell-Jone find Martin Turner on the wing, who’s gentle inside pass found Ethan Neilson who crossed over for his first afternoon.

This first try for Neilson was one to remember as this game also marked his 50th appearance for the Crusaders, in doing so becoming the youngest and quickest player to reach this Crusaders landmark.

The Crusaders were over once again in the very next set, a long looping pass found Jonny Gill who raced away from half-way to cross.

The successful conversion taking the scoreline to 22-4 in favour of the Crusaders after just 12 minutes.

Wakefield were then gifted a just 8 metres from the Crusaders line as the ball ricocheted of the Crusaders player and into touch, however, on just tackle 2 a wayward landed with the Crusaders.

Straight from this came points as once again Fionn McCabe broke from distance to score under the posts.

Fionn Mcabe was in once again in the very next set, some excellent carries saw the Crusaders gain some excellent field position before the 15 year-old was able to split the defenders from close range to cross between the posts.

A Wakefield error straight from the kick-off, once again gifted the Crusaders some excellent field possession, the visitors held strong but captain, Jonny Gill was able to find a gap to score. The successful conversion saw the Crusaders 40-4 in the lead after just 20 minutes of action.

For a third consecutive set, the Crusaders were able to come away with points as Jonny Gill was on the end of a Fionn McCabe offload to score out wide.

The Crusaders looked to once more extend their lead, however, the Wakefield defence held strong and forced the Crusaders to turn the ball over deep in the Wakefield half.

An almost identical set followed, albeit with the roles reversed, Wakefield forced their way deep into the Crusaders half, resulting in a turnover 6 metres from the Crusaders line.

This attacking set seemed to give Wakefield a well earned boost as their defence held extremely strong against a wave of Crusaders attacks. The Crusaders were able to force a goal-line drop-out.

Again, Wakefield’s newly found confidence was well on show as again they held strong against a wave of big hits from the Crusaders within their own 8-metres, which resulted in Wakefield forcing the Crusaders to overplay their attack and knocking the ball on a metre short of the line.

Wakefield’s confidence just grew and grew as on the fifth tackle, April Brooks managed to shake off three defenders to break through, though she was caught just 4 metres from the line, forcing the Crusaders the attack from distance.

This seemed to rattle the Crusaders as they opted to kick early in the set, this seemed to backfire for the home side as the kick was well fielded by Will Brooks, who managed to bring the ball from within his own 4 metres to well inside the Crusaders half.

Wakefield did then attempt an early kick of their own in an attempt to capitalise on a reeling Crusaders defence, however, the kick was shepherded over the dead ball line.

Wakefield once again held strong, forcing a turnover deep in their own half.

The Crusaders were able to hold their own for this set, resulting in Mitchell-Jone fielding a high kick deep in his own half which was then circulated through the hands to Leo McCabe on the wing.

As Leo broke the line, the Wakefield defender inadvertently held the back of his chair, resulting in a penalty just 4-metres short of the half-way line.

Just three phases later, Martin Turner was able to force his way over for the first try in 12-minutes.

With just two and a half minutes left of the half, both sides looked to get the final score in an attempt to get the all important pre-half time final score.

And with less than 15 seconds on the clock, the Crusaders were able to get the score as Mitchell-Jones crossed. The successful conversion taking the scoreline to 56-4 at the break to the home side.

Both teams exchanged sets for the first 90 seconds as both teams forced errors in what was a clumsy start to the half.

With both teams looking to recover from these mistakes, they next exchanged sets with the aim to get the first score of the half on the board.

As they did in the first forty minutes, the Crusaders were the team that managed this as Ethan Neilson managed to shake his defenders down the blind side to score in the corner.

The Crusaders were in for the second try of the half in their very next set. After some interweaving play by Gill and Fionn McCabe, Martin Turner was able to glide through under the posts.

Fionn McCabe was over once again for the Crusaders third try in eight minutes as some excellent play which saw all five of the Crusaders touch the ball, with McCabe crossing next to the uprights.

The successful conversion was a special one as it was Ethan Neilson’s first ever conversion.

After gaining a penalty just 10 metres from the Wakefield line, the Crusaders were in once more as Martin Turner crossed in the corner.

After exchanging sets, Fionn McCabe thought he was in again, however, an excellent covering tackle by a chasing down Williams Brooks saw the Crusaders youngster stopped in his tracks.

However, a quick play the ball led to Martin Turner crossing for his fourth and final try of the afternoon.

With both teams weathering some intense attacks, Wakefield thought they were in but a bit hit by inform Fionn McCabe saw him force a knock-on in the act of grounding.

This was the biggest break without a score of the entire game, with it taking 15-minutes for the next try to be scored.

And it was Wakefield who got the score as the Mother-Son combination paid off as Vicky Brooks’ offload saw son, Williams Brooks cross.

The Crusaders had an answer for this try, a Martin Turner offload saw Leo McCabe cross for his sole try of the afternoon in what is just his second game in two years.

With just 2-minutes left in the half, some impressive passing phases by Wakefield saw the visors score the final try of the game as Dawn Lennox forced her way over in the corner.

Wakefield looked to score one last time, however, time got away from them as the full-time hooter sounded mid-set.

Full-time score being 88-14 to the Crusaders, all attention will now go to next weekend as they face off against Batley Bulldogs in another, top of the table clash.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS: Jonny Gill, Martin Turner, Harry Mitchell-Jones, Fionn McCabe, Ethan Neilson

INTERCHANGES: Noah Evans, Leo McCabe

Tries: F. McCabe (1, 13, 15, 48), Mitchell-Jones (5, 39), Neilson (9, 43), Gill (11, 18, 21), Turner (35, 45, 50, 56), L. McCabe (74)

Goals: Turner 7/9, F. McCabe 3/4, L. McCabe 0/1, Gill 1/1, Neilson 1/1

WAKEFIELD TRINITY: Will Brooks, April Brooks, Vicky Brooks, Dawn Lennox, Amy Scaife

INTERCHANGES: Jack Johnson, Andy Scaife, Lou Harden, Chrissy Syme

Tries: A. Brooks (2), W. Brooks (71), Lennox (78)

Goals:V. Brooks 1/2, W. Brooks 0/1, Lennox 0/1

North Wales Crusaders Player of the Match:Ethan Neilson

Wakefield Trinity Player of the Match:April Brooks

Half-time Score:56-4

Full-time Score:88-14

Referees: Kim Abel, Samantha Scaife