Match Report

By Harry Jones at Crook Log Sports Centre, London

North Wales Crusaders fought hard for their win over a Hereford side who were looking to bounce back after the previous game.

Crusaders forced the error straight from the kick-off as low kick led to an Alan Caron knock-on, Crusaders thought they were over from the resulting set led to a turnover after Stephen Halsey was forced into touch.

A kick from the Harriers led to some confusion in the Crusaders ranks however they were able to quickly regroup as some quick play by three Crusaders youngsters led to Jess Booth crossing in the corner with Halsey adding the extras.

A lucky bounce off the kick-off led to the Crusaders goal-line drop-out which was easily collected by the Harriers, the resulting set led to Alan Caron crossing for his sides first try of the game, the missed conversion took the score to 6-4 in favour of the Crusaders after seven minutes.

After some errors by both sides, the Crusaders were next to cross as Jakub Wasieczko was able to coast through the Harriers line from the half-way, the successful conversion extended the Crusaders lead to 12-4.

The game took a brief intermission as Toni Woof went off injured, the Crusaders opting to drop a player to make it four-a-side. After some rushed attack by both sides, the Harriers were able to get some field position following a penalty.

The field position led to some great chair skills by the Harriers’ Jacob Robinson as he was able to cross in the corner.

At the midway point in the half, Harriers were able to pounce on some poor defensive positioning by the Crusaders as Alan Caron was able to cross for his third of the game, taking the score to 12-12.

After a try for the Crusaders was ruled out, Jacob Robinson was able to take full advantage of the re-grouping Crusaders to breeze through the line for a full court sprint to cross under the uprights, with Alan Sheriff able to add his first conversion of the afternoon.

Robinson was able to go back-to-back and score again, the conversion extending his sides lead even further. Harriers were able to break the line again however were this time held out by the Crusaders, giving them back field position in their own half.

This field position led the Crusaders up the field and a strong carry by Matthew Turner as he forced his way over from close range, successfully adding the extras himself. Turner was over once again but was unable to add the extras. Harriers went in 24-22 up at the break.

Crusaders got the half underway strong as Fionn McCabe, another of the Crusaders’ youth prospects, managed to evade three defenders to give his team great field position, this field position led to a Crusaders penalty for an offside in the defensive line.

This error created a big hole which Jakub Wasieczko was able to capitalise on and cross under the uprights with Turner able to add the extras.

Wasieczko made went back-to-back as he was on the end of a fantastic kick by Jess Booth, Turner once again adding the extras.

After weathering the Crusaders’ storm, the Harriers were able to capitalise on some errors and Alan Sheriff was able to cross, however, Andy Holley unable to add the extras.

Harriers were then able to bring the game to a level board as Alan Caron was on the end of a long swirling pass to dot down and this time Holley was able to add the extras to take it to 34-a-piece with 20 minutes to play.

Harriers were once again next to score as this time it was Alan Sheriff on the end of one of Robinson’s long passes and was able to dot down 4 metres from the touch line.

Matthew Turner was next to cross to regather his side the lead after he received a short pass from Wasieczko to cross under the uprights and successfully added the extras himself.

Once again, Turner was able to cross, this time it was the influence of Stephen Halsey as he took a number of strong carriers and was able to offload for Turner to score in the corner.

After some strong attacking play by the Harriers, they soon conceded a penalty for an incorrect play of the ball, however, soon regathered possession as they forced McCabe into touch. This defensive play soon led to Robinson crossing in the corner with Holley unable to add the extras.

After once again weathering a storm of Harriers attacked, the Crusaders were able to march up the field and after some strong carriers, Stephen Halsey was able to cross for his first of the afternoon and adding the extras.

Crusaders thought they were in again as Fionn McCabe broke the line, however won a penalty for a shirt pull. That penalty was the last bit of action of the day as the Crusaders were able to hold out for a 50-42 victory.