Crusaders secure a convincing victory in potentially their final game of the RFL Championship season.

REPORT

• Crusaders potentially end their 2025 Championship West campaign undefeated at home
• Jakub Wasieczko becomes the latest Crusaders player to reach 50 appearances for the club
• Crusaders continue their undefeated streak over local rivals Warrington Wolves

The Crusaders started off the game extremely strong, conceding a goalie drop-out directly from kick-off but managing to force Warrington back into their in-goal.

This drop-out forced the Wolves to defend early doors and the Crusaders made them pay as Fionn McCabe managed to weave his way through two defenders to cross for the games opening score in under 2 minutes.

The Wolves tried their luck again with a long kick-off but this time the Crusaders were able to watch it go into touch, though the visitors were able to force the error as the crusaders knocked-on in the second phase. 

Matthew Turner was next to score on the five/minute mark as he weaved his way through the defenders to cross for his first of the afternoon.

Jess Booth were next to score as the Crusaders turned up the pressure on the Wolves, forcing a penalty deep in their half and after a couple of phases, Booth was able to cross in the corner.

After exchanging sets, the Crusaders thought they were in again but in the spirit of the game and as a sign of good sportsmanship, the Crusaders admitted the knocking the ball on in the act of grounding the ball.

The defensive set from the Crusaders saw them weather a spirited attack but were able to successfully hold them out.

Matthew Turner thought he was in but Paul Prince of the Wolves pulled the back of his chair as he was clear through, thus giving the Crusaders a penalty just metres from the Wolves’ line.

The penalty did see the next score though, the Crusaders opting for a fresh set which culminated in Jess Booth once again crossing in the corner.

Once again after exchanging sets, Matthew Turner thought he was in, breaking the entire length of the field but the chasing defender managing to take his tag in the act of grounding. The Crusaders weren’t able to capitalise on this positive field position and turned the ball over on the Wolves’ line.

After some extensive pressure, the Wolves thought they were finally in as Emma Williams seemingly squeezed her way through the line but the referee pulled her back for a tackle. 

The Crusaders managed to hold out for the remainder of the set and march their way up the field which culminated in Jonny Gill taking the home sides first drop-goal of the Championship West season. Taking the score to 23-0 after just 23 minutes.

The Wolves were finally in, an excellent line break by Emma Williams again saw the Wolves gain some excellent field position with Brad Gleave crossing.

Both teams once again exchanged sets, however the Crusaders were once again able to capitalise as Matthew Turner broke the like to cross in the corner for his second of the afternoon.

Matthew was in once again just four minutes later, managing to shack off two defenders to cross. The successful conversion took the score to 35-6 and in favour of the home side - this remaining the score for the remainder of the half.

The visitors came out fighting in the second half, managing to draw the home side into their aggressive style of play which payed off. Liam Atherton was able to score just two minutes into the half.

The teams exchanged possession for the next 10 minutes as the Wolves turned up the pressure, they thought they were in as Liam Atherton once again crossed, throwing the ball in the air cricket-esc in celebration though it was chalked off.

The Crusaders defence did eventually relent as Mick Brown was able to cross next to the uprights, taking the score to 35-18 after 53 minutes.

It took the Crusaders some time to gain momentum but eventually they did. Interchanges Harry Mitchell-Jones and Mason Baker combined to put Matthew Turner over once again in the corner.

The very next set the Crusaders kicked up the field, Mick Brown of the Wolves safely claimed the kick though in the process trapping Matthew Turners arm in a ‘chicken wing’ esc fashion giving away an easy 2-point penalty to the Crusaders.

The Crusaders did gift the visitors a seven-tackle-set but in the second phase the visitors knocked-on giving the Crusaders excellent field position, though they were unable to make it count.

After exchanging sets once again, a Harry Mitchell-Jones kick through was gathered by Matthew Turner for another try.

The Crusaders were able to cross all but directly from kick-off, Harry Mitchell-Jones with the pick-up and a quick play-the-ball later saw Matthew Turner capitalise by breaking through a gaping Warrington defence to cross for his sixth and final try of the afternoon.

Just a couple of sets later, a Harry Jones break set-up Martin Turner for his first try of the afternoon. The successful conversion marking the end of the scoring.

The Crusaders coming away 61-18 victors

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS:  Wyatt,  Jones, Jess Booth, Jonny Gill, Fionn McCabe, Matthew Turner

INTERCHANGES: Mason Baker, Martin Turner, Harry Mitchell-Jones, Jakub Wasieczko

Tries: McCabe (2), Mat. Turner (6, 30, 35, 63, 71, 73), Booth (8, 14), Mar. Turner (77)

Goals: Mat Turner 2/3, Mar. Turner 6/6, Baker 2/2

Drop-Goal: Gill (23)

Warrington Wolves: Liam Appleton, Mick Brown, Brad Gleave, Paul Harding, Paul Prince

INTERCHANGES: Ben Callander, Luke Edwards, Emma Williams

Tries: Gleave (26),  Appleton (42), Brown (52)

Goals: Brown 3/3

North Wales Crusaders Player of the Match: Matthew Turner

Warrington Wolves Player of the Match: Emma Williams

Half-time Score: 35-06

Full-time Score: 61-18

Referee: Grant Jackson