Four in a Row: Crusaders Crush Hurricanes’ Hopes with 31-18 Comeback

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North Wales Crusaders extended their flawless start to the League One season with a commanding 31-18 victory over Midlands Hurricanes, ending the Hurricanes’ unbeaten run and making it four wins from four for Carl Forster’s side.

Reflecting on the performance, head coach Carl Forster credited a vastly improved completion rate for the turnaround after his team trailed at halftime. “It was about completing. I think we were 72 per cent first half and then for the first 23 minutes of the second half, we ran at 100 per cent and I think we posted 18 points, and I just said to them then at full time, we can be a really good side if we complete and, you know, don’t invite the opposition,” Forster told Cru TV.

Forster was candid about the team’s struggles in the opening period, noting, “I think we were dropping the ball on play one and two in good ball, the first two sets we got down there. We just had no sustained pressure in the first half and then I think when we kicked (in the) right places, turned the ball over in difficult spots for Midlands and then, defensively, I’ll always back our ‘D’.”

Despite conceding their highest points total of the season, Forster questioned the legitimacy of two of the Hurricanes’ tries: “I think that’s the most points we’ve conceded in a game, it was 18 and… two of them tries were really, really questionable whether they got the ball down – I’d like to see them again. So, you know, I commend our defence, but, like I said, I thought we were clinical with the ball in the second half.”

A crucial interception try from Matt Reid just before halftime gave Crusaders a lifeline, but Forster insisted it didn’t alter his halftime message. “It didn’t change my talk,” he stressed. “The lads might have thought it was a bit harsh. I think we were only going in eight-down, weren’t we? I didn’t mince my words at half time, but I just wasn’t happy with what we were doing.”

Forster highlighted the team’s attitude after the break: “They slowed the ruck down. We couldn’t quicken it up and then they played quick, and I just thought for how bad we was and we were eight points down, and that was kind of the last message to them before they went out, that we’re still in a ball game and we were terrible, absolutely terrible and, yeah, they come out with the right attitude. You know, they got themselves together and they just, literally, blew them away second half.”

Second-half tries from Jordy Gibson (2), Pat Ah Van, Sam Walker, and Ant Walker sealed the comeback, ensuring Crusaders’ fourth consecutive away win. The result tightens the League One table, with Midlands Hurricanes still top but just a point ahead of fifth-placed Swinton Lions. Crusaders, now third, are one of four teams on eight points as they prepare for their first home league match of the season against Whitehaven, before returning to the road to face Swinton Lions on May 4.