Crusaders claim the victory in a historical end-to-end inaugural encounter

REPORT

• McCabe equals club record with eight-try masterclass

• Bulldogs push Crusaders all the way in fierce first-ever clash

• Clinical Turner leads Crusaders to victory from the tee

The Crusaders seemed to get off to a strong start, forcing a goal-line drop out in the very first set of the game. 

However, the home side were able to recover, getting the ball back on halfway, the Crusaders defence seemingly held strong.

However, on the last tackle a long cutout pass saw James Clough cross in the corner for the games opening try after just two minutes.

The Crusaders looked to fight straight back, holding Batley out before receiving a penalty, the kick for touch giving the Crusaders defence some well needed respite, however, just a couple of phases in a wayward pass gifting the Bulldogs their own fresh set.

The Crusaders defence dug deep and were able to manage the onslaught of Batley attackers, with the Bulldogs turning the ball over just 4-metres from the Crusaders line.

Though the Batley defence seemingly held strong, a quick tag by Jonny Gill caught them napping and Harry Mitchell-Jones capitalised to break from deep and to give his side their first try of the afternoon.

Both teams then exchanged sets, first the Crusaders were able to turn the ball over just a metre short of the Batley line, before they were then able to shepherd a Batley kick into touch.

This resulted in the Crusaders matching up the field before a precarious kick saw the Bulldogs concede a goal-line drop out. The drop-out was fielded well by youngster, Ethan Neilson before Jonny Gill won the Crusaders a penalty deep in Batley’s territory.

This penalty resulted in points as a well executed set play directly from the tap, saw Fionn McCabe cross for his first of an eight try haul for the Crusaders youngster.

Batley was able to recover the ball straight from the kick-off as the ball ricocheted off the Crusaders player and into touch, gifting the home side some excellent field position.

Once again this resulted in points, this time, some well worked ball handling by the Bulldogs saw Tom Oates cross in the corner.

Both teams tousled for the advantage as they exchanged sets for the next eight minutes, however it was the Crusaders who were able to get the momentum swing.

Fionn McCabe managed to crash his way over from close range to score his second of the day, in what was surprising fashion as all 10 players on the pitch believed the Crusaders youngster was tagged, but, the Crusaders did not complain at the referees decision.

McCabe was over once again in the very next set, a break from his own half saw him cross for his hat-trick.

After withholding a Crusaders attack, the home side were able to convert a seven tackle set into points.

After working their way up the field, with James Clough once again crossing, this time, the Batley man was able convert his own try. The conversion making it 24-16 in favour of the Crusaders.

After exchanging sets, the Crusaders found themselves over as Fionn McCabe was once again able to force his way over in the corner.

The home side were able to bounce back from this with back-to/back scores, first of which coming from Dan Winner who managed to squeeze his way over in the corner.

The second of which came off the back of a strong defensive set by the Crusaders, though a strong kick by Bulldogs saw the covering Crusaders defenders forced the knock the ball into touch.

This gave the Bulldogs a major confidence boost which they managed to convert into points. Adam Bingham was able to find a gap to dot the ball down next to the uprights.

The successful conversion taking the scoreline to 30-26 in the Crusaders favour with the only difference being that Martin Turner was 100% from the tee.

The second half started off in dubious fashion as Batley were deemed to have grounded the ball in their own in-goal to the surprise off all 10 players.

After winning a penalty just two phases in, the Crusaders found themselves camped on the Crusaders line with a fresh set. Fionn McCabe was once again able to extend his sides lead as he managed to force his way over.

Batley were able to regain the ball from the kick-off, however held strong forcing the turnover.

It took a further 10 minutes for the next score to take place, and once again it was Fionn McCabe. This time the teenager chased down a well weighted kick to cross.

After regathering the ball from the kick-off, the home side looked to get momentum back on their side, however, this was duly halted as Martin Turner intercepted the ball on his own try-line to race away and score.

After exchanging sets, the home side were finally able to get their first points of the half as Joel Dyer was able to force his way over in the corner for his first try of the afternoon.

After withstanding a strong Crusaders attack,  the Bulldogs found themselves attacking from deep, however, a silly penalty gifted the Bulldogs some excellent field position, which they managed to covert into points.

James Clough was able to force his way between the his opposite defenders to cross for his second try of the day.

The Crusaders however had a response, after forcing a turnover deep in the own half, Fionn McCabe was once again able to shake off multiple defenders to break through and score.

After managing to secure themselves an 8-metre restart directly from the kick-off, the Crusaders found themselves once again on the scoresheet.

However, this time it was the turn of Harry Mitchell-Jones to break through the line in a near carbon copy of his first half try.

The Crusaders were in once again in the very next set, a penalty giving them some excellent field position and just a few phases later, Fionn McCabe was over for his eighth and final try of the afternoon.

Batley were able to to grab the final two tries of the game. First off, the Bulldogs were able to capitalise off a Crusaders error and work the ball outside to Daniel Winner who managed to squeeze in over in the corner.

After completing their set and then forcing a turnover, Batley found themselves in excellent field position which resulted in their second of two quick fire tries.

This time it was James Clough over in the corner as the Batley man was able to snake his way past the defenders to score.

His successful conversion saw the full-time hooter sound, the Crusaders securing a 66-46 victory in a hotly contested encounter.

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

INTERCHANGES: Noah Evans

Tries: Mitchell-Jones (7, 71), McCabe (14, 23, 25, 34, 41, 52, 69, 74) Turner (55)

Goals: Turner 11/11

BATLEY BULLDOGS: Jamie Edmondson-Jones, Tom Oates, Adam Bingham, Daniel Winner, James Clough

INTERCHANGES: Joel Dyer, Marc Sykes, Rhys Bingham

Tries: Clough (2, 28, 65, 80), Oates (15), Winner (36, 77), A. Bingham (39), Dyer (61)

Goals: Clough 5/9

North Wales Crusaders Player of the Match: Fionn McCabe

Batley Bulldogs Player of the Match: James Clough

Half-time Score: 26-30

Full-time Score: 46-66

Referees: Grant Jackson, Ewan Clibbens