Round 3
Crusaders RL 18 d. Hull FC 16

2010 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Bryant: Amazing home support spurred us to victory
Tue February 23, 2010
Source: www.crusadersrfl.com

Crusaders forward Mark Bryant said the fantastic support the team received at the Racecourse Ground spurred the team on to victory against Hull FC.

A crowd of nearly 7,000 braved snowy conditions to see a classic Super League encounter between the two sides. Crusaders edged a hard-fought contest against a red-hot Hull side 18-16 thanks to two Nick Youngquest tries, as well as a try and three conversions from the outstanding Michael Witt.

It was the Crusaders second victory on the on the bounce, following on from the 16-36 win against Salford, and the first time the team has gained back-to-back victories in Super League.

And Aussie Bryant, 28, who led the Manly Sea-Eagles to Australian NRL Grand Final win over Melbourne Storm in 2008, felt the crowd played an important part in helping the team to their first win at The Racecourse.

Bryant said:

"It was definitely a good result for us and having a great home crowd here cheering us on was fantastic. We have to continue to work hard and build on this performance.

"We've been welcomed with open arms. The locals have really got behind us and its great having so many people turn up and enjoy the game of rugby league. It hasn't really been played a great deal here in Wrexham so it's great that they've been coming out in such great numbers to get behind the team.

"You can tell people are starting to understand the game a bit more and the reception we got when we left the field was amazing. If we can keep getting these kind of crowds then that will give us a huge boost as the season goes on"

Head coach Brian Noble has urged the team to stay grounding following back-to-back wins, and with visits to both Warrington and St Helens on the horizon, Bryant has also echoed his coach's sentiments.

"Brian was very pleased with the result, he was happy that we stuck in there for 80 minutes," he said. "But he was adamant that we still have got a lot to do, we know it's only the start of the season so we want to make sure that we are constantly working hard and continue building for the rest of the year."

"We have been working hard on defence. The boys are really putting in the effort, as are the coaching staff as well, they've been fantastic.
There's been lots of one on one work, as well as working on our defence as a team and the hard work has paid off in the last couple of games. But like I said it is only the start of the year so we've got to make sure we keep putting in the performances and keep winning games."

Crusaders now have a week off before taking on the Warrington Wolves at the Halliwell Jones on Sunday March. Fans can take advantage of a special offer by getting into the Warrington game in two weeks time for just £10 for adults and £5 for concessions. To find out more call the Wrexham FC club shop on 01978 262129.


Crusaders 18 Hull FC 16
Mon February 22, 2010
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Crusaders RL landed their first Engage Super League home win of the season and, with it, won two consecutive matches for the first time since entering rugby league's elite in a tense match with Hull FC.

It boiled down to the last few minutes of the match when the Welsh side, who are based at Wrexham FC's Racecourse Ground since their move from Bridgend, grabbed a try and conversion.

Hull were aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season which has seen them beat Huddersfield at the KC Stadium and then romp past St Helens 32-12.

But, for the Crusaders, it was a chance to make it a second successive victory after beating Salford City Reds under a seven-try wave a week ago.

An army of volunteers were at Racecourse early on Sunday morning to clear snow off the pitch.

And it seemed to have been worth the effort as the home side got off to a great start when wing Nick Youngquest leapt high in the corner to retrieve a cross-kick on the sixth tackle and slide over for the opening try of the match.

However, the lead did not last long as Hull hit back when prop Lee Radford saw a slight gap near the home posts and went through to score.

Loose forward Craig Fitzgibbon converted and had a terrific opening period, with plenty of carries and causing the Crusaders all sorts of problems.

He also added the conversion when wing Tom Briscoe was put in for a simple try at the corner to make it 12-6 and put the heat on the home side on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Hull, though, did not have it their own way and were forced to defend bravely towards the end of the half.

Crusaders second rower Weller Hauraki nearly got their second try when he went over the line but the score was ruled out for a knock-on.

That threat, though, turned to a result soon after when scrum-half Michael Witt, a thorn in the Hull side, found a gap to cross, converting his own touchdown and levelling the scores at the break.

Hull put the pressure on the home side and nearly regained the lead when Epalahame Lauaki was superbly held up over the line.

And it did not help the Crusaders' cause that they gave away possession and missed too many tackles.

On the hour, Hull finally got back into the lead when a neat kick through to the try area on the sixth tackle saw centre Kirk Yeaman dive full length and just manage to get downward pressure on the ball for the try.

The Welsh spirit would not lay down and the Crusaders hit back to put them within reach of their first back-to-back victories in Engage Super League when Youngquest grabbed his second try of the match with a carbon copy of his first by jumping high to reclaim the ball from a cross-kick.

Witt then put them in the lead with a huge touchline conversion.

The Crusaders' tails were up and they began to put in the tackles which were missing earlier on as Hull spilt possession too often.

And the Crusaders held on to the delight of the home crowd at the end.

Sun February 21, 2010
• Split loyalties for local AM ahead of Crusaders game
  
Sat February 20, 2010
• Tommy Lee returns to face former club
  
Fri February 19, 2010
• More to come from Crusaders says Witt
  
Wed February 17, 2010
• Youngquest ready for Hull FC challenge
  
Fri February 12, 2010
• Raynor looking forward to facing old club on Sunday 21st
  

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