NORTH WALES CRUSADERS 110 BEDFORD TIGERS 0
IAN RIGG, Stadium CSM, Sunday

NORTH Wales booked their place in the Challenge Cup third round against Leigh with a record-breaking 19-try display versus Bedford.

The huge scoreline, which included a four-try haul for winger Luke Forber, signified their biggest-ever win, eclipsing the 84-4 rout over West Wales in 2022.

Ex-Warrington Wolves ace Dec Patton was the main architect of the destruction, assisting many of the tries but also kicking 17 conversions from all angles, including his 400th career goal. 

Jayden Hatton grabbed the opener after four minutes and from then on it was near constant scoring from the Welsh side as the ball was fizzed about the field. 

Forber then added a brace in a four-minute period in the left corner before Cole Oakley was next over when he broke down the right to score. 

Jake Spedding scored after nice play by Patton on the left and, soon after, Josh Eaves dived in from close range to take them past the 30 point mark. 

Chris Barratt finished a good passing movement under the posts in the 27th minute and this was quickly followed by Jordy Gibson’s effort. 

Next, Joe Baldwin darted from acting half-back to score on the right.

Tigers did not give in but handling errors let them down and Crusaders made them pay. 

Hatton rounded off the scoring in the first half as they went past fifty.

Spedding opened the second half scoring three minutes in and this was quickly followed by Forber’s hat-trick.

Oli Brookes bagged his first on 49 minutes before Brad England got over between the posts. 

Nearly all the Crusaders players scored points with Pat Moran next in.

The visitors did then manage some rare sustained possession but it didn’t result in them breaking their duck.

Brookes went in again after another handling error before Forber claimed his fourth on 70 minutes.

Soon after, Crusaders chalked up a century of points via Ashton Robinson’s try and the final effort came when ex-Castleford flier Greg Eden went through some tired defenders. 

Patton did not miss a single conversion attempt in the second half, his team’s only downside being the loss of Lloyd Roby and Hatton to leg injuries.

Bedford, meanwhile, can be proud of their efforts; they never let their heads drop and had some good spells at times.

GAMESTAR: Dec Patton contributed a massive 34 points with his boot and so many assists. 

GAMEBREAKER: Crusaders simply had too much power and speed from the off.

MATCHFACTS

CRUSADERS
1 Lloyd Roby
2 Oli Brookes
3 Jayden Hatton
4 Jake Spedding
5 Luke Forber
6 Dec Patton
7 Jordy Gibson
8 Ant Walker
9 Josh Eaves
10 Chris Barratt
11 Brad England
12 Cole Oakley
13 Pat Moran
Subs (all used)
14 Joe Baldwin
16 Mark Ioane
17 Ash Robinson
23 Greg Eden

Tries: Hatton (4, 36), Forber (10, 14, 46, 70), Oakley (16), Spedding (22, 43), Eaves (24), Barratt (27), Gibson (31), Baldwin (34), Brookes (49, 67), England (52), Moran (60), Robinson (73), Eden (78)
Goals: Patton 17/19

TIGERS
1 Elliott Hutchings
2 Callum Dockerill
3 Matt Neild
4 Sam Elrick
5 Josh Hudson-Lett
6 Bailey Thomas
7 Jack Brown
8 Tino Decaro
9 Jake Tilford
10 Ed Brown
18 Garin Nicholls
12 Henry Higginson
13 Elliott Holton
Subs (all used)
14 Kayne Chan
15 Lewis Swindells
17 Rob Ashton
20 Sam Richbell

SCORING SEQUENCE: 6-0, 10-0, 16-0, 22-0, 28-0, 34-0, 40-0, 46-0, 52-0, 56-0; 62-0, 68-0, 74-0, 80-0, 86-0, 92-0, 98-0, 104-0, 110-0

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Men of the Match
Crusaders: Dec Patton; Tigers: Jack Brown

Penalty count: 7-0
Half-time: 56-0
Referee: Sam Jenkinson
Attendance: 289