gogledd

Well - we managed 40 minutes (again) and I got the score difference right!! Thanks to Workington fans who were great hosts and gracious in defeat.

I play for Chester Gladiators Masters.... Thanks for the write up - but there are a couple of things to pick up on. The pitch has only just opened and has changing rooms at the pitch and at the Chester FC facility (4G Pitches) and is a move from our previous ground at the Cheshire Sports Club. The club have run two successful youth teams and minis in the past and are hoping to do so again with the pitch now near the Blacon estate. We also use St. Teresa's Catholic Club for the post-game social and food, so there opportunity there to build links to the community. I'd agree that a development officer would be a huge benefit. Good to hear that people would be back to watch the next game - perhaps a few could be persuaded to try Masters!!

Wins for Whitehaven, Rams, Hurricanes and Lions. If Crusaders can play 80 minutes like they did in the second half at Goole they should come away with a win. I think it will be close but Crusaders will win but the margin will be very slim. Crusaders by 2 points.

Wins for TO XIII, Broncos, Raiders, Bulls, Panthers and Oldham.

Goole Vikings out of sorts this week then? Or perhaps readers should be looking at Crusaders for one of the top spots? Crusaders now 2 wins from 2 games.... Midlands still doing well and clung onto a two point lead to remain top of the league Another new ground.....Goole RUFC this week instead of the Victoria Ground, as that has bulldozers tearing up the pitch for the stadium redevelopment. We still managed an hour in the Tom Pudding micropub before continuing our journey onto Goole RUFC. Although we were well received after the game, we weren't allowed into the clubhouse before of during the game as it was reserved for sponsors - still there was plenty of food and drink available for those that wanted it...the trouble was stand out in the cold wind coming in from the Ouse and the North Sea.

Goole RUFC proved excellent hosts after the game but we (fans) weren't allowd in before or during the game as it was reserved for sponsors. If any fans are going there again this season wrap up warm...the wind comes across the north sea and its flat, open and bl00dy cold! An error strewn first half with lots of knock ons. Crusadets managed to ger on the scoreboard eventually only to let Gool in with a soft try to end the first half 6 - 8. Carl Forsters half-time chat must have don the trick because it was like watching a different team. Crusaders scored some good tries and managed to defent their try line under some intense pressure from the Vikings. All in all a good day out. Thanks again to the Tom Pudding for pre-game hospitality; worth a visit for any fans going to a game in Goole.

Workington away next week.]

(Louie) McCarthy-Scarsbrook was only one letter shy! we had (Dante) Morley-Samuels playing for us a few seasons ago!

Hopefully the Dragons have had some introspection and sorted out their 5th tackle woes!

TO XIII, Oldham. Vikings, Rovers, Dons, and Knights.

Rams, Hurricanes, Lions, Hornets and Cougars. No dog in the fight this week, but interested to see how Vikings an Hurricanes get on.

"I love a bit of biff, me!"

Bit more than a 4 points win in the end?

London Broncos Bradford Bulls Featherstone Rovers Barrow Raiders Widnes Vikings Oldham Sheffield Eagles Halifax Panthers

I live in North Wales so when Crusaders RL came north the Racecourse Wrexham in 2010 they immediately became my Super League team....until they folded two seasons later. With no more Super League in Wales a few of us chose to support Catalans Dragons and became the unofficial Welsh Branch of their Supporters Club. Of course now I 'm a North Wales Crusaders regular (home and away) and a Chester Gladiators Masters player (and referee). We've made great friends with fans from Newcastle, Oldham and Midlands (Coventry Bears) so those three teams would feature for me in making an alternative choice. Apparently Chester Gladiators have some relationship as a club with Warrington Wolves but there is no real evidence of them reaching out to us as one of their 'feeder' clubs. I'll stick with Catalans Dragons for my SL team - although watching them can be very frustrating!

Just got in from Dewsbury. First, thanks to the Rams fans near us, great banter and loads of friendly fire too. Thanks to the Dewsbury Rams for being great hosts and making us feel welcome. Considering the weather and the pitch it was a reasonably good game although the ref left it a very long time before giving held down or six-again! The game was fairly even for 20 minutes but Crusaders got the upper hand and really didn't take the foot off the gas except right at the end to let the Rams in - I doubt the coach will be happy with that one error but if I'd been offered 10 - 20 score line at the start of the day I'd have happily taken it! Well done all the Crusaders players and staff.... and now an enormous break until we play again... I just hope it doesn't disrupt the lads preperation for our next League 1 game in Goole.

Wins for Halifax Panthers, Bradford Bulls, Featherstone Rovers, Oldham, Widnes Vikings and Toulouse Olympique.

I'll plump for Vikings (another close game), Cougars and Lions to win - but all three games could go either way. Same at Dewsbury but I think we'll just sneak it. Crusaders to win by 2 points.

It should be a good game...Midlands looking strong this season too. The ground is being developed but theres plenty od standing room and a small sheltered stand to watch from. I'm not sure sitting in the seats would be an advantage - they looked very low and I doubt the view would be great. I didn't eat or drink in the stadium so can't comment on the fare or the prices. We had a pint in the railway club and the Tom Pudding pub near by and I'd recommend both of them. If you like a decent pint or real ale the Tom Pudding is a good bet and opens at 11:00 on match days.

Not a bad summary that. It was as close as it suggested at 18 all, but Goole deserved the win with two good tries toward the end of the game. Goole looked well drilled and will end up with a decent set up if all the plans for the ground go ahead. The Crusaders fans received a warm welcome at the stadium and at two local pubs and I'm sure we'll be back for the League 1 games in the near future. Good luck to Goole Vikings in the next round of the 1895 Cup

All home wins..... maybe Fax may squeek an away win

I'm going to the game at Goole Vikings. Our first visit to a new ground and hopefully an away win for North Wales Crusaders - but I think it will be a really close game. Crusaders so far have been very impressive with massive wins at Cornwall and Newcastle and a really close game against Widnes Vikings last Sunday> Goole have recruited well and look like a well funded outfit. A big test for both teams and an indicator of how close L1 will be this season. Cougars, Lions and Rams to win the other three games.

I saw Goole play a tremendous game vs London Broncos...they seem to have recruited well and be well supported financially...I wouldn't discount them from the League 1 season, which will be really competitive now that only the top 4 get into the end of season play-offs.

I listened to your coaches assessment of the game on X and he was very complimentary of the Crusaders performance particularly our first half. I'd agree that he definitely got a response second half and we found it difficult to get into the Widnes 20m zone. A great game and a good turn out by both sets of fans. (1400ish?) Good luck to Widnes in the next round of the Challenge Cup. I hope you get a top 4 SL team at home - and a few of us Crusaders fans can come across to Widnes to watch the game.

Big scores for Midlands and North Wales Crusaders today. I have Crusaders winning 0 - 60 at full time, which makes it a date with Goole Vikings in the next round. Crusaders yet to concede a point, which will be a big positive for the coaches. It will be another level when we play Widnes Viking next weekend in the Challenge Cup and coach Carl Forster will have the headache of picking his 17 from all those who played in the last two games.