North Wales Crusaders moved to the top of Betfred League One with a convincing 42-12 victory over Whitehaven at Stadiwm CSM.
Following a start of four consecutive away games, Carl Forster’s side returned home for the first time this campaign, and North Wales made the most of home comforts as they extended their 100% start to the league season to five games.
Whitehaven, under the guidance of former Crusaders head coach Anthony Murray, looked dangerous during the early encounters, and Crusaders were let off with six minutes on the clock as a try from the visitors was ruled our for a knock-on in the build up.
However, having sustained some pressure the home side didn’t look back as Olly Davies opened the scoring with ten minutes gone taking a ball near the Whitehaven line before running through a gap in the defence to ground the ball.
Just minutes later Pat Ah Van doubled the Crusaders’ lead shrugging off several Whitehaven defenders before finding the line.
Jamie Dallimore added two further points to the advantage, kicking a penalty goal awarded for a high-tackle before Sam Wilde capped off an impressive 15 minute period with the third try of the afternoon as he created space to slide over.
As the game neared half-time, full-back Lloyd Roby got in on the action as he danced through the Whitehaven defence before grounding the ball sending the teams into the break with the score at 26-0.
The early stages of the second-half saw Forster’s side tested in defence as the visitors looked for a response. However, the North Wales defence stood strong paving the way for a flurry of chances for the hosts.
A clever kick by Jordy Gibson came close to catching the Whitehaven defence off-guard before Pat Ah Van created an opening from the resulting drop-out only for Roby to come agonisingly close to finishing the move.
Crusaders’ pressure eventually paid dividends as Wilde crossed for his second of the afternoon gathering a kick behind the Whitehaven defence to score.
Moments later Cole Oakley rounded the Haven defenders after the ball had bounced favourably for him, taking the home side’s lead to 38 points.
It was on 58 minutes that Whitehaven finally found joy in attack as they made use of goof field position, following a penalty awarded for a high-tackle, to score.
However, celebrations were short lived for Anthony Murray’s side as Crusaders responded via Ollie Brookes who finished off a well worked move direct from a scrum.
In spite of defeat, it was Whitehaven who saw the final action of the day as a clever offload saw the Cumbrian side create a gap to score, seeing the final score at 42-12 and North Wales go top of the League One table.