MATCH REPORT: NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 18 – 32 MIDLANDS HURRICANES

CANES RIP THROUGH CRUSADERS AT SUNNY COLWYN BAY

After a comfortable 44-10 win over Newcastle in Gateshead last week, the Canes travelled to Colwyn Bay with already more wins than they earned throughout the entire 2023 campaign and only one win from matching their all-time record since joining League 1 (being 7 wins in 26 games during the 2018 season). Their opponents, North Wales Crusaders, were level on points with the Canes but behind on points difference with a game in hand. This would be the third clash between the clubs in 2024, with the hosts defeating the Canes 20-14 in Colwyn Bay and the Canes taking revenge at The Alex with a 18-10 win over Crusaders in May.

The first quarter of the game started brightly for the Canes as Swinton loanee Matty Chrimes made an almost immediate break down the left wing before being brought down 10 metres out, before a Dave Hewitt kick to Jason Bass could not be capitalised on as the Midlands winger was bundled into touch. The Canes had a few other good opportunities in the first 20 but were ultimately unable to capitalise as some poor passing and handling meant we repeatedly coughed up possession metres from the Crusaders line.

Despite the Canes looking the more threatening of the teams, it was the home side who broke the deadlock. Just under 30 minutes into the first half it, an ex-Hurricane in Chris Barratt made the Canes pay as he took advantage of a short pass to crash over from short range just left of the sticks (4-0). The try was easily converted by Ben Lane, who joined Crusaders from St Helens on dual-registration (6-0). However, five minutes later the momentum appeared to shift in the Hurricanes favour as another ex-Hurricane – this time Dan Coates – delivered a nasty looking dump tackle to a Canes player attempting to run the ball out from the Hurricanes line. After consulting with his touch-judge, the referee sent Coates to the sin-bin and the Canes had an opportunity to capitalise as the Crusaders were down to 12 men.

It only took us two minutes as some quick passes out right under pressure eventually meant the ball made its way to Captain Matty Welham, who rounded the Crusaders defender to score down the right edge (6-4). David Hewitt kicked the conversion from out wide, earning himself his 100th point for the club after just 13 games (6-6). The good times kept on rolling as we then went back to back, with a stunning looping pass from Callum McLelland reaching Matty Chrimes, who repeated his early race down the left wing before passing inwards to Todd Horner who strolled over to score (6-10). Hewitt was unfortunately unable to add the extras.

It then got much, much worse for the home side. Seconds before the half-time hooter sounded the Canes scored a third as Callum McLelland launched a bomb towards the left edge, only to be clattered late by Kieran Taylor with a sickening shot for the second time in the same half. The referee sensibly waited to see whether the Canes could take advantage, which they duly did as Todd Horner collected the ball and passed inwards to Ryan Johnson who was able to run the ball under the sticks for our third (6-14). After the ensuing melee arising from the shot on McLelland led to handbags from both teams, the referee consulted his touch-judges and sent Taylor off to the cheer of the travelling supporters. Hewitt compounded Crusaders' misery by adding two more points from the kicking tee (6-16) and the teams then entered the sheds.

Despite being armed with a ten-point lead and the guarantee of a man advantage for the whole of the second half, Mark Dunning's men knew they would be in for a fight as the hosts have historically shown they are certainly no pushovers.

HALF-TIME: North Wales Crusaders 6 – 16 Midlands Hurricanes   

After a flurry of tries in the first half, the second half largely followed suit for the Canes as Callum McLelland made a trademark break through a gap in the left-edge before passing right to Todd Horner who strolled over to score under the sticks just a few minutes in (6-20). Hewitt once again added the extras from in front of the sticks (6-22). The next ten minutes was fairly even, with the highlights being veteran winger Patrick Ah Van denied an almost certain try thanks to some brilliant Canes defence, before Marcus Green bombed a seemingly guaranteed score as he could not keep hold of a Clavering offload a metre from the Crusaders line.

Despite being a man down and under pressure, it was Crusaders who would score next. A heavy high bomb was not dealt with by Jason Bass and, despite the ball seemingly going behind him, the referee determined a knock-on had occurred. This understandably did not phase Crusaders who took full advantage, ending with Paul Nash diving over from dummy-half (10-22) and Ben Lane adding the extras (12-22).

What was to follow was surely worthy of a nomination for the RFL's "Try of the Week". A grubber from Ben Lane was gathered by Callum McLelland, who then impressively skipped and skimmed past a number of Crusaders defenders before launching a pass out left to Matty Chrimes who was in acres of space and blitzed down the left wing to score an 80+ metre try. Any fan witnessing this live accepted this was a thing of beauty and an effort that any Canes fan should watch on repeat if they get the opportunity (12-26). Hewitt was unable to add the icing on the cake from out wide.

Unfortunately for the Canes, Crusaders refused to give up and a determined effort by Adam Carr saw him evade some frustrated Canes defence to launch over the try-line to the right of the posts (16-26). Once again, Ben Lane added the extras and reduced the Canes lead to eight points (18-26). The home side continued to pressure the Canes and the visitors were lucky to avoid further repercussions after Forster was hit late, however the Canes held firm and refused to concede further ground.

With a little under five minutes to go, a moment of individual brilliance sealed the win for the Canes. Some good quick passes out wide found Ryan Johnson who fended and skipped his way through some desperate Crusaders defence to wriggle free and dart over the line in front of the sticks to the delight of the away crowd (18-30). Hewitt opted to give Matty Chrimes the honour of stealing the kicking duties, and Chrimes did not disappoint as he hoofed the ball over (18-32). With the game wrapped up the home side tried to score a consolation, but the lack of progress was clear to see as a frustrated Carl Forster booted the ball out on the hooter despite the ball being in their possession.

In his post-match interview Mark Dunning acknowledged that the Canes had not played at their best, but had executed the game-plan and kept their discipline in the face of some of fiery clashes with the hosts. The victory means we won the decider for this year, however there is every chance the sides may clash once again if both maintain their current position in the playoffs. With six games to go we are a mere two wins away from the Canes best ever league performance under any League 1 format, with the club's 2016 campaign seeing us earn 8 games and a draw over 20 games (4 wins and a draw during the regular season, with the remaining 4 being won during the now defunct League 1 Shield play-offs).

This result sees us remain in fifth place, two points behind Hunslet and two/four points ahead of Crusaders and Workington respectively, who all have a game in hand. We now have a week off before we turn our attention to our fourth consecutive away game which involves a trip up to the Crown Oil Arena to take on third placed Rochdale Hornets. This will be our third game against Rochdale this season, with the to-be hosts taking the spoils in the last two fixtures (24-20 in the Challenge Cup and 28-38 in Round 1 of the season). The Hornets will likely be in good spirits as they drew 20-20 with table-topping Keighley on Sunday and made short-work of fourth-placed Hunslet the week before with a convincing 48-18 victory, however they do have to travel to Cumbria next Sunday to face a Workington Town team desperate to remain in the play-off race.

Man of the Match:

Callum McLelland (sponsored by Gllee UK Ltd)

Scoring sequence:

4-0, 6-0, 6-4, 6-6, 6-10, 6-14, 6-16, 6-20, 6-22, 10-22, 12-22, 12-26, 16-26, 18-26, 18-30 and 18-32.