Crusaders secure a narrow victory in their second game of the RFL Championship season.

REPORT

• Crusaders claim a narrow victory in one of the clubs fiercest rivalries
• Johnathan Gill captained the Crusaders for the first time
• Crusaders name a youth heavy squad with all of their points coming from players under the age of 25

The Crusaders looked to gain early momentum as they stormed up the field in the very first set, however, a knock-on saw them turn the ball over deep the the Hornets half.

The visitors looked to capitalise from this error as they managed to get to within inches of the Crusaders line, though the defence held strong and forced the ball into touch.

The Crusaders went on to score in the very next set as Martin Turner offloaded to recently capped Wales debutant Jakub Wasieczko who raced up the field to score.

The Crusaders were forced into an early change as Martin Turner was off with a chair malfunction, Mason Baker coming onto the field.

After trading sets, the Hornets were finally able to cross on the 12th minute as Callum Young went over for his first of the afternoon, the successful conversion putting the Hornets 6-4 to the good.

It took the Crusaders five to get the games next score as once again Wasieczko was on the end of a Turner offload, however, this time it was Matthew Turner playing the provider.

After exchanging sets, the Crusaders once again crossed as Matthew Turner raced away off the back of a Harry Jones offload, the successful conversion giving the Crusaders a bit more breathing space as they led 14-6.

Next came a controversial moment as Matthew Turner made a try saving tackle to stop Callum Young from crossing in the corner, though the officials deemed the ball to have been grounded, thus awarding the try.

The Crusaders were able to shake this off as Matthew Turner scored a near identical try to his first, as he received a Harry Jones offload to cross under the sticks.

The Crusaders were in again as Wyatt Jones crossed to extend the home teams lead.

The Hornets caught the home team napping in the very next set as Kyran Holt as able to gather the kick-off and just two-phases later, cross for his first of the day.

After failing a few times earlier in the half, the Hornets were finally able to make their kick and chase play work, Callum Young claiming a Kyran Holt kick to cross for his hat-trick.

The Hornets were cheeky and tried again in the very next set though this time, Fionn McCabe was able to shepherd the ball into touch.

With less than a minute on the clock, the Crusaders tried the same play, Matthew Turner was deemed to have been taken out of off the ball, gifting a penalty. The goal attempt missing but managing to clear the field of play.

The Crusaders going into half time with a slender 26-20 lead.

Both teams exchanged errors and sets in the early moments of the second half, though the Crusaders once again were able to get the first try.

Jess Booth was able to cross for their first of the afternoon in the corner, the successful conversion giving the Crusaders a 12-point lead.

The Hornets were able to regather the kick-off and eventually shift the ball out to the wing for their first score of the half.

It took until the hour mark for the next score as once again Harry Jones was the provider, this time to Jess Booth, as they linked up for a try in the corner.

The Crusaders had to work hard as they were forced to defend back-to-back sets on their line but were able to weather the storm, get up the field and force the visitors to attack from their own line.

After some silly mistakes by both teams, the Hornets were able to cross as Wes Groot barged his way over for his solitary try of the afternoon.

Once again the Hornets crossed though the Crusaders appealed for a tackle. The successful conversion taking the score to 38-34 in favour of the home team.

A failed drop goal attempt by the Crusaders and some hail-mary plays by Rochdale saw the game come down to the wire but the Crusaders were able to hold strong and secure the 38-34 victory.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS:  Jess Booth, Jonny Gill, Martin Turner, Jakub Wasieczko, Matthew Turner

INTERCHANGES: Wyatt Jones, Mason Baker, Harry Jones, Sophie Bamford (unused), Fionn McCabe

Tries: Wasieczko (2, 17), Mat. Turner (22, 29), W. Jones (31), Booth (45, 58)

Goals: Mar. Turner 0/1, Baker 1/2,  Mat Turner 4/4, Gill 0/1

Rochdale Hornets: Callum Young, Kyran Holt, Callum Crombie, John Waterworth, Pete Lauder

INTERCHANGES: Angela Groot-Holt (Unused), Wes Groot, Stuart Bellamy, Paul Holt

Tries: Young (12, 25, 37, 47, 70), Holt (34), Groot (65)

Goals: Holt 2/3, Groot 0/1

North Wales Crusaders Player of the Match: Jakub Wasieczko

Rochdale Hornets Player of the Match: Pete Lauder

Half-time Score: 26-20

Full-time Score: 38-34

Referees: Phil Roberts, Grant Jackson