NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 0 HALIFAX PANTHERS 94
CONRAD ANDERSON, Stadiwm Eirias, Sunday
HALIFAX ran in 17 tries on another difficult afternoon for North Wales, with the visitors producing a clinical and professional performance.
The Colwyn Bay side have undergone a complete change in personnel since the sides met at The Shay in March, and the scale of the rebuilding job was evident against an experienced Panthers team who took control from the off.
Darius Carter opened the scoring after just two minutes, before the outstanding Lukas Mason, on loan from Wigan, crossed for the first of his three tries four minutes later.
Myles Lawford converted and went on to enjoy an excellent afternoon from the tee, landing 13 goals.
Following an error from the Crusaders, Ben Will touched down wide out and soon added his second try after being sent through by Carter.
The visitors continued to apply pressure, with tries arriving at regular intervals.
Mason crossed again from close range before Ben Crooks proved too powerful for the Crusaders defence, forcing his way over the line as Halifax continued to dominate possession and territory.
Mason completed his hat-trick before the interval, and there was still time for another spectacular score before the hooter.
Following the restart, Will Brough collected possession and raced the length of the field to touch down, with Halifax having a 42-0 advantage at half-time.
North Wales emerged for the second half looking to show a response, but Halifax quickly re-established their control.
Just three minutes in, Jacob Fairbank reacted first after a high ball was collected close to the home line and powered his way over.
Halifax were in total command at this stage, continuing to move the ball confidently and punish any errors or gaps in the home defence.
Their speed, strength and support play proved difficult for North Wales to contain, and Curtis Davies, Ben Tibbs, Carter, Lloyd Roby and Jesse Soric all profited with tries.
Despite the difficult circumstances, North Wales continued to battle and enjoyed their best period following two penalties in quick succession.
Bailey Dawson went close for the hosts while captain Dom Horn was held up over the line following a determined carry.
Those moments demonstrated the spirit within the side, but they were unable to turn the pressure into points against a well-organised Halifax defence.
The Yorkshire side finished the contest strongly, scoring three further tries during the final five minutes.
Brough, Tibbs and Will all went over, with the final try coming after North Wales’ Connor Terrill had been shown a yellow card for delaying a play-the-ball.
GAMESTAR: Wigan loanee forward Lukas Mason was in fine form, and scored a hat-trick of tries.
GAMEBREAKER: Ben Will’s two early tries signified the hard road ahead for North Wales.
MATCHFACTS
CRUSADERS
9 Joe Bradley
5 Jayden Billy
21 Lewis Holgate
4 Sam Littler
20 Keane Gilford
6 Brad Billsborough
7 Ben Fisher
26 Connor Terrill
1 Ben O’Connell
25 Kieran Moran
3 Bailey Dawson
27 Dom Horn
13 Brad Clavering
Subs (all used)
10 Harry Coleman
12 Will McCardle
14 Jamie Billsborough
17 Owen Haldenby
Sin bin: Terrill (80) – slowing down the ruck
PANTHERS
1 Will Brough
3 Ben Will
22 Darius Carter
11 Ben Crooks
2 Ben Tibbs
6 Jesse Soric
17 Myles Lawford
33 Delaine Gittens-Bedward
9 Adam O’Brien
21 Ben Forster
10 Lukas Mason
13 Jacob Fairbank
20 Vila Halafihi
Subs (all used)
5 Lloyd Roby
7 Curtis Davies
8 Will Calcott
24 Jimmy Morgan
Tries: Carter (2, 54), Mason (6, 22, 39), Will (12, 17, 80), Crooks (33), Brough (40, 75), Fairbank (44), Curtis Davies (48), Tibbs (52, 78), Roby (68), Soric (70)
Goals: Lawford 13/17
SCORING SEQUENCE: 0-4, 0-10, 0-16, 0-20, 0-26, 0-32, 0-36, 0-42; 0-48, 0-54, 0-60, 0-66, 0-72, 0-78, 0-84, 0-88, 0-94
Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Crusaders: Brad Clavering; Panthers: Myles Lawford
Penalty count: 3-6
Half-time: 0-42
Referee: Aaryn Belafonte
Attendance: 234