North Wales Crusaders overcame an understrength Torfaen Tigers 52-14 in a fiercely fought Grand Final to inflict the Tigers’ first defeat of the season.
Torfaen, unbeaten in the regular season to finish league leaders title winners, were missing their top scorer Jamie Reynolds, his father Jason Reynolds, as well as Dane Oram, leaving them with just five fit players. Crusaders’ Sophie Bamford switched sides for the day to give the Tigers bench cover.
Crusaders took the lead in the first minute with a Matthew Turner try. He went on to be the top performer in the match, scoring four tries and kicking two goals, to move just two tries behind Jamie Reynolds in the try-scoring charts this season. Matthew’s father Martin Turner added four further conversions.
Fionn McCabe also went over for four tries, with Welsh international Stuart Williams and Jess Booth each scoring once.
Darren Dowey and Mark Williams scored Torfaen’s tries, with Scotty Turner converting both and adding two field goals. Parker Golden was named Torfaen’s player of the match for his work rate and top defending throughout the game.
Next week sees the final match in this three-game mini-series between the Tigers and the Crusaders with the Welsh Cup – Cwpan Sialens Cadair Olwyn – on the line. The two sides meet at Caerphilly Leisure Centre on Saturday 1st November, kick-off 11.30am.
