Crusaders secure a convincing victory in the opening game of the RFL Championship season.

REPORT

• Crusaders claim a victory in their first home game of the year
• Jess Booth made their 50th Crusaders appearance
• Crusaders defeat Widnes Vikings in the season opener for the second consecutive season

The Crusaders managed to get the better of the early exchanges as Stuart Williams regathered the kick-off but a knock-on quickly scuppered the Crusaders.

The Crusaders were able to force an error from the visitors, the resulting turnover later turned into a penalty for offside, seeing the Crusaders getting a fresh set just a couple of meters from the line.

This set saw the Crusaders getting the opening score of the afternoon, Stuart Williams on the end of a Martin Turner offload to cross in the corner, the missed conversion taking the score to 4-0 after just 2 and a half minutes.

It took until the 10th minute for the next score as Stuart Williams managed to cross for his second of the afternoon. The successful conversion saw the home side lead 10-0.

There was some confusion in the next set as the Vikings thought they’d conceded a third try but Johnathan Gill’s attempt was ruled out.

This seemed costly for the Crusaders as Dom Richards raced around the Crusaders line to give the Vikings their first try, the successful conversion taking the score to 10-6 after 14 minutes.

This gave the visitors some momentum as in the very next set they were able to shift the ball through the hands and force a goal line drop-out. 

After trading sets and penalties for what felt like an eternity in the Wrexham heat. The next score didn’t come until the 27th minute.

Johnathan Gill was on the end of some silky hands to cross in the corner, Mathew Turner adding the extras.

After exchanging some quick fire sets, Matthew Turner was next to cross, knocking over the conversion attempt to extend the Crusaders’ lead.

Once again after exchanging sets and errors the Crusaders crossed the whitewash. This time, Fionn McCabe managed a tackle burst 5 metres out to cross.

The Vikings were able to get the final score of the half though as they turned the ball over deep in their own half, marched up the field and Dom Richards calmly took a one-pointer.

The Crusaders thought they were over in the very first set of the half though Matthew Turner was judged to go over the sideline.

With this set the Vikings were able to force a goal line drop-out. Starting with the ball deep in their own half, the Vikings commanded the field though some excellent defence saw the crusaders force a turnover.

There was some concern in the crusaders ranks as Fionn McCabe seemingly take a knock, which the visitors capitalised on, managing to cross in the corner for their final score of the afternoon.

Once again, both teams exchanged sets and errors but the Crusaders once again got the better of the exchange as Jakub Wasieczko was one the end of a pair of offloads to cross under the posts. 

Matthew Turner once again adding the extras to take the score to 34-11.

The Crusaders dialled up the pressure, forcing errors and making the visitors attack from deep. Jess Booth in what was their 50th club appearance thought they’d scored, but just as the ball was dotted down, the defenders managed to shepherd Jess into touch.

After some tempers flared for the visitors which saw one of their players storm from the field. Jess once again had a try chalked off the board for going into touch.

However, the home team were able to turn the ball over within the Vikings’ own 8-metres. Jakub Wasieczko was able to cross for his second.

In the very next set, the Crusaders marched their way up the field to cross close range. The defender biting onto Martin Turners dummy run to allow Stuart Williams to cross. This time Matthew Turner was unable to add the extras, taking the score to 42-11.

After some errors by both teams, Wyatt Jones made a big impact off the bench after some excellent carriers getting great field positions, before offloading to Stuart Williams for his final try of the afternoon.

It took almost 10 minutes for the next and final score as the afternoon as Jonny Gill received an offload from Sophie Bamford to cross out wide for the final try of the afternoon.

The successful conversion taking the final score to 54-11 in favour of the Crusaders.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS:  Jess Booth, Stuart Williams, Jonny Gill, Martin Turner, Matthew Turner

INTERCHANGES: Wyatt Jones, Harry Jones, Sophie Bamford, Jakub Wasieczko, Fionn McCabe

Tries: Williams (2, 10, 61, 67), Gill (26, 77), Mat. Turner (31), McCabe (36), Wasieczko (48, 58)

Goals: Mar. Turner 1/2, Mat Turner 6/8

Widnes Vikings: Alex Howe, Dixie McClymont, Will McClymont, Dom Richards, Jack Woods

INTERCHANGES: Chris Haycock (Unused), Andrew Holland (Unused), Tony Johnson (Unused), Lucas Muldoon, Stephen Roberts

Tries: Richards (14, 45)

Goals: Howe 1/2

Goals: Richards (39)

North Wales Crusaders Player of the Match: Jess Booth

Widnes Vikings Player of the Match: Dom Richards

Half-time Score: 28-7

Full-time Score: 54-11

Referees: Kim Abel, Dave Abel