NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 16 BATLEY BULLDOGS 30
SIMON JONES, Stadiwm Eirias, Sunday

BATLEY claimed a second win on the bounce on the back of a first-half points barrage as North Wales suffered a third league defeat of the season and second in succession.

The Bulldogs travelled to Colwyn Bay keen to build on their 54-6 home victory over Swinton – a first at the fourth attempt in the Championship.

While the Crusaders had been crushed 106-18 at London Broncos, they had previously beaten Swinton and Newcastle, and had another scalp in their sights.

But they were trailing on eight minutes after Batley were awarded a penalty try as centre Wesley Bruines darted for the line.

Josh Woods was on the mark with both kicks, and after 15 minutes, Batley were 14-0 up when winger Derrell Olpherts made the most of a Robbie Butterworth pass and Woods again goaled.

North Wales pulled a try back shortly afterwards through veteran winger Greg Eden, but Batley’s response was swift as Joe Burton went in wide out in the 24th minute.

Then backrower Nyle Flynn crossed, with Woods adding the conversion, before the scrum-half was again true from the tee after hooker Jonah Parsons went over.

That made it 30-4 at half-time, but North Wales at least made a fist of things in the second half, chalking up two converted tries.

Eden got his second try and Patrick Ah Van the other nine minutes from time, while Dec Patton kicked both goals.

North Wales forward Pat Moran chalked up a 150th career appearance. It was a seventh outing for the club following his close-season switch from Oldham.

GAMESTAR: He was on the losing side, but experienced Greg Eden impressed in grabbing two tries for North Wales.

GAMEBREAKER: Batley’s two converted tries in the final stages of the first half.

MATCHFACTS

CRUSADERS
1 Lloyd Roby
20 Tom Bridge
26 Patrick Ah Van
3 Jayden Hatton
23 Greg Eden
18 Junior Westwood
6 Dec Patton
16 Mark Ioane
9 Josh Eaves
10 Chris Barratt
11 Brad England
12 Cole Oakley
13 Pat Moran
Subs (all used)
14 Joe Baldwin
– Huw Worthington
7 Jordy Gibson
17 Ashton Robinson

Tries: Eden (18, 48), Ah Van (71)
Goals: Patton 2/3

BULLDOGS
1 Robbie Butterworth
2 Joe Burton
4 Wesley Bruines
22 Felix Ellis
25 Derrell Olpherts
14 Ben White
7 Josh Woods
27 Ronan Dixon
9 Alistair Leak
13 Robson Stevens
11 Dane Manning
15 Nyle Flynn
18 Evan Hodgson
Subs (all used)
19 Jonah Parsons
17 Liam Kirk
25 Michael Ward
3 Oliver Greensmith

Tries: Bruines (8 pen), Olpherts (15), Burton (24), Flynn (32), Parsons (35)
Goals: Woods 5/6

SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-8, 0-14, 4-14, 4-18, 4-24, 4-30; 10-30, 16-30

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Crusaders: Greg Eden; Bulldogs: Josh Woods

Penalty count: 7-7
Half-time: 4-30
Referee: Matty Lynn