Crusaders claim a victory is the sides historical meeting with Salford Red Devils

REPORT

• North Wales Crusaders ‘A’ defeat Salford Red Devils in a home pre-season fixture as the red devils prepare for a season in the RFL’s Regional Competition.

• 2023 award winners Martin Turner, Jonathan Gill and Fionn McCabe return for their first outing of the 2024 season.

• Newbie Claire Owlett made her Crusaders debut whilst fellow newbie, Kieren Barlow made his first start for the side.

The Crusaders started off on the back foot straight from the kick-off as a knock-on allowed the Red Devils some great field position, however, some strong defence forced an error as the ball was turned over in the Crusaders 8 metres.

Some strong carries up the pitch saw the Crusaders gain valuable field possession, however their attack was soon halted as Wasieczko was forced into touch 5 metres from the line.

Following an impressive defensive set the visitors were forced into an early kick which trickled over the dead ball line, giving the Crusaders a seven tackle set though a loose ball by the Crusaders on the first tackle was not capitalised on by the visitors as they tried to break the line which ended up with the ball going into touch, giving the Crusaders back-to-back sets.

This set resulted in a try as first half captain, Martin Turner was able to use his cunning and loop around the defence to put the first score of the afternoon on the board, adding the extras himself to make it 6-0 after just four minutes.

Crusaders made their first change of the proceedings as Barlow mad way for Hayley Matthews as she came on for her first appearance of the year on the 11-minute mark and Salford Player-Coach David Abel was introduced to the action.

These changes were followed by some fast flowing Rugby by the Crusaders which resulted in Martin Turner crossing for his second of the afternoon, and adding the extras to make it 12-0 to the Crusaders as the action approached the 12-minute mark.

The visitors began to show some confidence as they were able to prevent the kick on the last tackle, resulting in a handover, just inside of their own half. This was followed by some excellent Rugby as Mark Riley was able to break the line, just to be stopped at the last moment.

Some strong defence by the Crusaders followed as they were needed to defend their line for the first time of the game, which they did extremely well, some well timing hits and strong defence led by Hayley Matthews resulted in an 8-metre restart following a grubber kick that was over struck.

A pair of strong carries by Martin Turner and Fionn McCabe set the Crusaders up on halfway where Turner junior, Matthew was able to shrug off four defenders to cross under the posts for his first try of the afternoon. Successfully adding the conversion to take the score to, Crusaders 18 Salford 0 after 17 minutes.

Jakub Wasieczko was next to cross just six minutes later as he weaved his way through the defence to further the home sides lead however, Matthew Turner was unable to add the extras.

Ethan Neilson was next to be introduced to the play as he replaced fellow youngster Fionn McCabe.

After a period of defence for the Crusaders, the team were able to get some good progression up their half before Wasieczko was able to once again weave through the defence to cross for his second of the afternoon, Matthew Turner adding the extras to extend his sides lead further.

Some more changes were brought for the Crusaders as Mark Drakeford came on whilst Claire Owlett came on for her Crusaders and Wheelchair Rugby League debut.

The visitors were able to have the final word of the half as Jamie Ball was able to get on the end of a long pass, crossing in the corner for his and the Red Devils’ first try of the afternoon after 34 minutes.

That score was the final act of scoring in the half as the Crusaders took a 28-4 lead at the break.

More changes were made for the Crusaders at the break as Barlow and Gill were brought on, with the latter making his first appearance of the season. Crusaders thought they were in just three minutes into the half as Matthew Turner claimed a Gill kick but was tackled just short of the line, turning the ball over to the away side.

McCabe was re-introduced into the play and his impact was sudden as he played an instrumental part in the next phase of play as he was able to drag defenders out of position to allow Matthew Turner to skulk his way through the defence to cross for his second of the afternoon, however, he was unable to successfully add the extras taking the scoreline to Crusaders 32, Salford 4.

The visitors were next to cross as David Abel was able to crash his way over from close range between the posts, adding the extras himself making the score 32-10 in favour of the home side.

Neilson was brought back on for the Crusaders in place of Barlow, meaning that four of the five on the pitch for the Crusaders were all under the age of 16.

After some back and forth Rugby, the Crusaders found themselves deep in the Salford half after a forward pass. Some coast-to-coast play for by the Crusaders saw Matthew Turner receive a short ball by Gill to cross for his hat-trick under the sticks on the 56^th minute, adding the extras himself to further his sides lead.

Wasieczko was given his bow from the game as he made way for Hayley Matthews.

Salford were able to rally off the back of back-to-back Crusaders errors as Ball was able to break down the wing for his second of the afternoon with Abel’s conversion being successful, taking the score line to 38-16.

A peach of a kick-off by Ethan Neilson was regathered by Matthew Turner, after a charging run and quick tag by Hayley Matthews, Fionn McCabe was able to cross for his first of the afternoon just left of the uprights, his conversion attempt fell just short.

After some strong attack by both sides, Matthew Turner was next off as he was replaced by Mark Drakeford before Claire Owlett was re-introduced in place of Hayley Matthews.

Once again there was some strong attack and defence by both sides with Fionn McCabe having a try disallowed, however, once again it was the visitors that were able to have the final say as David Abel thundered a drop-goal over from the half-way line. Taking the full time score to 42-17 in favour of the home team.

GALLERY

NORTH WALES CRUSADERS: Martin Turner, Kieren Barlow, Jakub Wasieczko, Fionn McCabe, Matthew Turner

INTERCHANGES: Hayley Matthews, Jonathan Gill, Mark Drakeford, Claire Owlett, Ethan Neilson

Tries: Martin Turner (4, 12,), Matthew Turner (17, 46, 56), McCabe (68), Wasieczko (23, 28)

Goals: Matthew Turner: 3/4, Martin Turner: 2/2, McCabe: 0/1

SALFORD RED DEVILS: Mark Redfearn, Mark Riley, Jamie Ball, Marissa Chaplin, Oliver Waite

INTERCHANGES: David Abel

Tries: Ball (34, 66), Abel (51)

Goals: Abel 2/3

Drop-Goals: Abel 1/1

North Wales Crusaders Player of the Match: Jakub Wasieczko

Salford Red Devils Player of the Match: Jamie Ball

Referees: Grant Jackson, Kim Abel