Match Report

North Wales Crusaders secured their place in the Cwpan Sialans Cadair Olwyn (Welsh Challenge Cup) after seeing off Torfaen Tigers 68-18. That match will form the first half of finals day on Sunday, November 25 at the same Wrexham venue.

Crusaders took the lead on seven minutes when Stephen Halsey went in under the sticks. Martin Turner converted, and they soon went 22-0 up. Martin’s son Matthew Turner went over for their second try, Jakub Wasieczko the third and Jonathan Gill the fourth with Martin Turner adding two goals.

Torfaen got on the board on 24 minutes when Leighton Morris scored in the corner. Lee Sargent couldn’t land the kick, but a Fionn McCabe try restored the balance for Crusaders with Martin Turner converting.

In the last ten minutes of the first half, Halsey added three more tries, with Turner improving two of them and there was still time for Wasieczko to notch his second. Turner converted again to put the home side 48-4 up at the break.

Mason Baker scored another for Crusaders four minutes into the second half then kept the score ticking along by adding a penalty on 53 minutes.

Torfaen hit back again a minute later through a Sian Morris-Parker try that Leighton Morris converted to put the score onto 54-10 before adding a try of his own.

Crusaders were next on the board with Lewis Lawrenson needing two attempts to score with player-coach Gary Taylor converting.

Torfaen weren’t finished yet and a good set ended with Sian Morris-Parker scoring out wide, but Jonathan Gill and Lewis Lawrenson added further tries for Crusaders to complete the scoring.

Crusaders were temporarily elevated into second place in the table and needed Cardiff Blue Dragons to pull off what would be a shock win over Hereford Harriers to remain there.