Match Report

North Wales Crusaders lifted the WRL Wheelchair Challenge Cup for the second year in a row after overcoming Torfaen Tigers 80-28.

Three players dominated the game for Crusaders, one of whom was Wales international Stephen Halsey. His five tries gave him 82 for the season in all competitions in England and Wales, an outstanding achievement, as the record in the “running” rugby league game for a season was 80 by Albert Rosenfeld for Huddersfield in 1913-14.

Halsey also kicked nine goals in the game, bringing him up to 221 for the season, the same number that David Watkins kicked for Salford in the running game in the 1972-73 season.

Crusaders, with home advantage in the match, the more experienced players and with a few extra on the bench, didn’t have it all their own way, but they did enough to run out comfortable winners and retain the trophy.

Paul Sargent pounced on a loose ball to give Torfaen the lead in the fourth minute. Alex Powell converted.

Crusaders soon levelled. Martin Turner reached over, before a Jonathan Gill brace put them ahead. Halsey converted all three and they were 18-6 up.

Halsey was next over before Gill completed his hat-trick. Halsey converted both to give Crusaders a 30-6 lead.

Halsey went over for the next two, completing his hat-trick, putting his try count in all competitions to 80 for the season.

Martin Turner’s second try came with seven minutes remaining in the half, with Halsey failing to converted for the first time in the game.

There was still time for Lee Sargent to get a try back for the Tigers bringing the score to 46-10 in favour of the home side at the break.

Tigers started the second half as they did the first, with a Paul Sargent try and Powell conversion.

Despite the claim that he was tagged before scoring, Lewis Lawrenson got another for Crusaders, with Halsey converting.

Tigers hit back again with a Powell try and goal before Martin Turner scored two more and Gill added another, with Turner adding two goals.

Halsey scored the next try, his fourth of the game, leading to loud cheers as the crowd knew it was his 81st of the season. He soon went over for his fifth, which he converted himself, that conversion being his 221nd goal of the season.

But it was left to Torfaen to have the final say. Mathew Morris-Parker scored in the corner and Lee Sargent converted.