gogledd

Wins for Hurricanes (in a tight game) Workington (home advantage) and a first win of the season for Cougars. I'm hoping that North Wales Crusaders will continue their good form and benefit for home advantage, but I'm sure Rochdale will prove to be the usual tough opponents. Could be close this one, but as expected I'll back Crusaders to win.

Wins for TO XIII, Vikings, Rovers, Bulls, Oldham and Knights

Although Dragons are my SL team I just can't see them winning at the moment. The team look totally disjointed.

Ive been following League 1 for quite a few years and can remember:- Top get promoted, second place decided by play offs, highest teams having home advantage. League 1 and Championship playoff day at a neutral ground (after the top teams were promoted_ Middle 8 playoffs - how are venues for games decided? Do Championship teams get home advantage? 2 teams relegated from the Championship 3 others relegated to even out leagues (North Wales were 5th bottom in 2014 so got relegated after spending a shed load to remain up) the new 8 place play off. I agree - stick to one format we all know and understand.

I think Cru were lucky to go in at the end of the first half at 6 all. We were falling off tackles and Cougars looked the more dominant team overall although they had to do a lot of defensive work, which probably told in the end. Looks like Carl Forster did his usual halftime enthusiastic team talk (boll*cking) to get the result he wanted. Cougars chasing the socreboard opened up opportunities for Crusaders to pile on some point towards the end of the second half. Whatever you read on social media, Cougars ain't half as bad as some of their 'fans' make out.

We were chatting about this in the pub tonight!! Do 4th Championship play 1sr League 1? How many get promoted? Relegated? Is there no guaranteed promotion for the team that finishes top of L1? It would be nice to have some clarity half way through the season!!

Its happening to all League 1 teams. Difficult to gain any momentum with the bye weeks and the gaps left by Cornwall no longer playing.

North Wales Crusaders have had ONE League 1 home game (last Sunday [18th May] vs Newcastle Thunder) since the season started (23rd February)!

Eagles, TO XIII, Bulls, Donny, Rovers and Panthers

I'll go with that too!

In the sunny terrace beneath the (closed) marquee we cheered every try and kick.... admittedly not the usual enthusiastic reception as we usually give but it was very hot!! I agree the erratic fixture list hasn't helped but a top-of-the-league team should be getting far better support.

Crusaders played some good rugby but they were up against a very young team, who in fairness never gave up, but really never looked like getting past a staunch Crusaders defence. 14 tries scored, 4 tries bombed and 10 points missed from the kicking tee. Crusaders go back to the top of the league with a better points difference than Workington and Hurricanes and a game in hand on Swinton Lions, Whaitehaven, Dewsbury Rams and Goole Vikings. Biggest downside for me was the poor attendance. Why a team playing such attractive rugby aren't getting the crowd through the gates is a disappointing issue.

I was at the game to support Catalans Dragons. They were truly awful. They looked like a team that had never played together. Being heavy legged from the previous game was expected but basic skills were lacking. Re: the play of the balls - Saints definitely got away with more interference (lying on, hands in the ruck, etc) - they were penalised on far fewer occasions than Dragons. In my opinion, referees need to get far tougher managing this area of the game and ensure games have quicker rucks with far less interference.

Crusaders and (hopefully) with a hat full of points to make up points difference on teams currently above us. A win should put us back at the top of League 1. I'm sure our coach will make sure the lads wont be complacent though. The wrong attitude can come back and bite you. I wasn't at Swinton but a lot of our fans say it was our worst performance by a long way ... I'm sure Carl FOrster will be looking for a response to that criticism.

Some teams have played 8 games while Cru have only played 6... Sunday will be our Round 7, so we'll still be a game in hand on some teams.

A good win for Hurricanes on the road, putting them back at the top again... I hope Crusaders can take advantage of game in hand when it comes around! Very tight to get into the top 4 of League 1 this season. Its going to be an exciting ride!

I've just finished my sulk! I've worked out why we lost.... I didn't post a prediction on Total RL AND I missed the game - so that must have been it.

Terrific first half by North Wales Crusaders at Eirias Park yesterday against Whitehaven who were second in the league going into the game 4 very good tries to nil at half time plus a penalty kick from the on-form Jamie Dallimore. The second half proved closer with Have scoring two very good tries, but Crusaders still managing to score another 16 points despite bombing a couple of opportunities. I was wrong about it being close. Crusaders are playing some impressive rugby at the moment.

We were due our first home game on 6th April, but unfortunately Cornwall RLFC withdrew from the league a few days before the fixture. Saying that even the 6th April is a long spell with all away games - at Dewsbury, Goole, Workington and Midlands - plus a bye and Cup Game periods making it difficult for our players to gamin any consistency. Not complaining though, as we are still managing to win games on the road.

Thatto Heath need a name check in honourable mentions too...

Wins for Oldham, Eagles, TO XIII, Raiders, Panthers and Vikings. I'll probably only catch the first half between reffing at Leyland and driving to watch North Wales Crusaders!

Hornets, Vikings and Lions to win this weekend Crusaders play their first home game of the League 1 season and its actually at home in Eirias Park. Another close encounter for us, and yet another difficult game to predict. Coach Anthony Murray will be itching to get one up on his old club but coach Carl Forster will be having the same inspiration! Could be two points in it and I hope its not down to a missed kick!! Crusaders to win by two.

We have recently gone from a Board of Directors of local businessmen and fans (I was one) to a buy out from a bitcoin entrepreneur and a second buy out by a rugby centred business - Eggchaser. They've brought a very polished and professional approach to the club and have been active in promoting the team, a reserve team and other events (such as a 9s competition) as well as recruiting support staff to make it all happen. They have also ensured decent sponsorship and are active in looking for more sponsors. We certainly aren't the only club who don't own their own stadium and the recent nomadic experience was mainly down to the stadium being redeveloped and that work overrunning. Training is based around where the majority of the players live and work. Like most League 1 teams the struggle with finances is always something we have to manage but we've been going since 2011 and hopefully will continue for many more years.

I've watched the highlight reel and the first try was definitely on the line so apologies to the ref and the linesman for questioning that decision....the second try though...looked like a forward pass to the scorer.

Hi Preid Its a question we get a lot and very often a criticism. North Wales is a football orientated area, and the vast majority of rugby is rugby union with a very few open age teams in the locality although there is strength in Wheelchair RL and Masters RL. Our proximity to the North West clubs makes our search for any rugby league players focus on areas such as Widnes (30 minutes away), St. Helens (40 minutes away) and Wigan ( about an hour away). The club has just had trials for a reserve team and the Foundation is working hard to develop youth players. Our brightest local prospect has been selected for Wales U-16s but has had to play all his RL in the north west and is currently playing in the Salford Red Devils academy. I'm not sure if it impacts on attendances, but all the fans I know would love to have more Welsh players...but their likely to be playing in north West clubs anyway as local open age players aren't nearly developed enough for semi-pro rugby league.