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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.

A game of two halves at the Alexander Stadium today. Midlands dominated the first half, slowing the Cru PTB and speeding up their own attack put them in better field positions more times than Crusaders managed. The Cru fans questioned both Midands tries and it will be interesting to watch any video available particularly for the second try which looked to come off a forward pass. Matt Reid got a breakaway try on the hooter to show some points for the Cru efforts. 12 -4 to Midlands at half-time reflected the dominance of the Hurricanes. The Second half was a complete reversal with the Cru middles dominating their opponents and Jordy Gibson working his magic from half back. Crusaders eased away from Midlands to end up 18 - 31 victors and the Crusaders fans leaving the happiest. Thanks as always to our friends at Midlands Hurricanes - always great hosts and complimentary of the Crusaders win.

Another recommendation to get along and watch Newcastle Thunder...and if supporting a Newcastle team isn't your preference why not try Goole Vikings? I'm sure you'll enjoy League 1 games if you get along to some of the games. Friendly fans, some great games and reasonably priced tickets. I'd also recommend watching Wheelchair Rugby League - fast, furious and exciting - and a real rugby league game, just played in wheelchairs. Also, if you're old enough (over 35) why not try playing Masters Rugby League is a fantastic fun!!

I remember that Coventry Bears beat Crusaders at least once, and one was at a Cru home game in Chester! Midlands will definitely be a team our coach will have targetted so, while we wont agree about our predictions, we will agree that the game should be a cracker!

Wins for Raiders, Bulldogs, Donny, Knights, Panthers and Vikings.

Rams is the only really predictable win (sorry Thunder fans) so I'll say wins for Rams, Vikings, Lions and Workington (a narrow victory, with home advantage) but any of these game could go either way. Crusaders game at Midlands is going to be a tough encounter, but I'm hoping our squad is well prepared and ready for the big units in the Midlands pack. I think we can do it...but it will be close.

Halifax Panthers London Broncos Toulouse Olympique Oldham Widnes Vikings York Knights

Our CEO said we'd lost £4k playing away at Cornwall last January.

Blimey! I'd just posted on the League 1 thread about whether North Wales Crusaders could expect a win this Sunday. A real shame; I'd been to all our games in Cornwall and met some lovely people down there, and I appreciate the hard work that had gone into trying to promote and run the club in Cornwall.

Just seen the news after I posted my comments. What a shame - I've been to every Crusaders game in Cornwall and met some smashing people there. A lot of had work went into keeping Cornwall afloat; I fee for everyone who put in the effort.

Some tough games to call. I'll go with wins for Lions, Rams and Hornets, although I could be wrong on all of them. Haven winning is the only one I'm going to confidently predict (sorry Thunder fans) Crusaders first 'home' game of the season, isn't at Eirias Park due to a triathlon - we seem to play more home games away from home than at home! Perhaps a name change to North Wales Nomads would be apt! Lets hope we don't get complacent as Cornwall have turned us over previously (at another of our 'home' games in Rhyl!!) We should win comfortably provided we go into the game with the right attitude.

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.