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

REPORT

• Crusaders continue their undefeated streak in the Championship West
• Fionn McCabe becomes the youngest ever Crusaders player to reach 50 appearances for the club
• Crusaders defeat Salford Red Devils in the first ever league meeting between the two sides

The Crusaders took control from the offset as the experience of the team really showed as they were able to pile the pressure onto the visitors from the get go.

Forcing the visitors to kick from within their own half from the very first set, they were then able to march up the field and score.

Jakub Wasieczko was able to get on the end of a Stuart Williams offload to cross in the corner for the first try of the day.

It took less than two minutes for the next try as Stuart Williams was able to slide through the defence for his first of the afternoon.

Jakub Wasieczko thought he was in for his second however, Stuart Williams admitted to being tackled, bringing the play back. The resulting phases saw the Crusaders turn the ball over deep in Salford territory.

After weathering a Salford storm, Stuart Williams almost scored but knocked in whilst attempting to collect a Fionn McCabe offload.

From the resulting set the Red Devils looked for their first score as Dave Abel went for a drop-goal though the pressure from the Crusaders defence saw his attempt go over the sideline.

Stuart Williams was once again next to score as he was able to coast through the defence to cross under the posts.

Wyatt Jones was next to score as he was able to evade the defenders on the final tackle to cross for his first of the afternoon.

Salford were able to score in the very next attack as Dave Abel was able to regather a low kick-off and just two phases later cross for his sides first of the afternoon.

Jakub Wasieczko was next to score, sliding through the Salford defence to race through to score his second.

Next cam a break in play in order both teams to take on some well needed fluids in the Deeside heat.

The break saw the Crusaders make wholesale changes as all four interchanges came onto the field. After a hard fought defensive set, three of these interchanges combined as Martin Turner was on the end of a long Harry Jones pass, and offload to Matthew Turner later saw the Crusaders score their next try.

Matthew Turner was over agin in the next set as he broke through the defensive line to score his second try of the day.

Jess Booth was next to score after collecting a long Harry Jones ball (which she was audibly excited and pleased with) and just a phase later got back involved in the play to cross in the corner.

Salford were able to put some pressure on the Crusaders and this pressure paid off as Dave Abel was able to crash over for his second of the day.

The Crusaders were able to control back as Wyatt Jones crossed for his second after Matthew Turner unselfishly offloaded the ball for Jones to cross in the corner.

The Crusaders thought they were in but the Salford defence held strong and were able to force Martin Turner into touch from close range.

The Crusaders did manage to get the last score of the half as Stuart Williams who was brought on as a last minute interchange crossed in the corner.

The unsuccessful conversion attempt giving the Crusaders the 58-10 lead at half time.

The visitors started off strong as Mark Riley was able to find a gap to score under the posts.

Stuart Williams was next over for the home side as he was able to evade the defence to cross in the corner for his fourth and final try of the day.

The visitors were next to score as Mark Riley was able to ride the contact from Jakub Wasieczko to score in the corner

The next two scores came as the Crusaders deployed their excellent handling skills, first saw Fionn McCabe cross in the corner from a Jonny Gill flick pass before Martin Turner crossed for his second of the afternoon after some slick passing put him over in the opposite corner.

Next came the third of some excellently executed handling plays as Martin Turner caught a looping pass to race through. This try did come with some treachery as Turner almost lost control of the ball twice whilst breaking down the field but was able to compose himself to cross.

Harry Jones was next to score as a quick take by Jonny Gill following a break up the field saw Matthew Turner offload to Jones for his first of the day.

Salford were next to score as debutant Poppy Cayton managed to glide through a gap in the Crusaders line for her first ever Salford try.

A small break in play was soon forced as an exploding tyre forced the Crusaders into a change whilst also forcing the visitors into a change due to the severity of the noise.

Jakub Wasieczko was next to score as he managed to split the Salford defence racing through for his fourth and final try of the day.

Salford were able to dial up the pressure on the Crusaders as they managed to force the home side to defend on their line but a Harry Jones intercept and breakaway try saw the Crusaders get the final try of the day.

Salford did manage one final score as a mishit Harry Jones goal-line drop-out gifted the visitors a penalty just 4-metres from the Crusaders line on the hooter which Abel gladly converted.

Taking the final score to 106-28 in favour of the Crusaders.

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS:  Wyatt,  Jones, Stuart Williams, Jonny Gill, Jakub Wasieczko, Fionn McCabe

INTERCHANGES: Jess Booth, Martin Turner, Harry Jones, Matthew Turner

Tries: Wasieczko (3, 21, 54, 73), Williams (5, 13, 40, 49), W. Jones (16, 34), Booth (29), Mat. Turner (24, 26),  Mar. Turner (56, 61, 63), McCabe (58), H. Jones (65, 78)

Goals: Gill 7/8 , Mat Turner 7/8, Mar. Turner 1/3

Salford Red Devis: Mark Riley, Oliver Waite, Dave Abel, Jamie Ball, Marissa Chaplin

INTERCHANGES: Poppy Cayton

Tries: Abel(18, 31),  Riley (42, 52), Cayton (70)

Goals: Riley 0/1, Abel 4/4, Waite 0/1

North Wales Crusaders Player of the Match: Jakub Wasieczko

Salford Red Devils Player of the Match: Jamie Ball

Half-time Score: 58-10

Full-time Score: 106-28

Referees: Stephen Jones