Thatto Heath Crusaders 14, Simms Cross 20

AN injury-hit Thatto Heath side were forced to concede a rare home defeat on Saturday.

Despite a bright start Thatto were behind after 16 minutes when Simmies second-rower Neil Highfield crashed over from close range.

They came back strongly from the re-start and in the next two attacks forced Simms Cross to drop out twice from behind their own line.

On the 30-minute mark Heath scrum-half Barry Ashall scored a superb solo try from an interception on his own 22 and outpaced the Simms Cross defence to go the length of the field.

From the return Heath allowed the ball to go dead and after dropping out were put under tremendous pressure that resulted in a try under the sticks for Simmies full-back David Myers. Brian Capewell converted and then added a penalty goal on the stroke of half-time to give Simms Cross a 12-4 half-time lead.

Simmies increased their lead within five minutes of the re-start when loose-forward Brian Capewell ran over for a try from a charge down and went on to convert his own score.

Thatto Heath fought back, bravely and were rewarded with final quarter tries for strong running captain Carl Cooper and winger Neil Prescott. Mike Woods managed to convert one try from the touchline to bring Heath to within four points. Despite putting heavy pressure on the Simmies line Heath were just unable to come up with another score and when Capewell converted a penalty goal with only minutes to go the points slipped from Heaths grasp.

Thatto Heath man of the match was Carl Cooper.

Swinton IP 24 Crusaders A 4

Fielding a bare 13 players, Heath battled bravely. Mark Hayton grabbed a first-half try but they trailed 10-4 at the break.

In a forward-dominated game Swinton pulled awaty after the interval. Best for Crusaders were Moklyneux, Hulse and Dave Lang.

Crusaders under 16s 62

Langworthy nil

Crusaders produced some of their best to outplay a physical Manchester outfit. Martin Bailey and Dave Lawton all scored a try each and Simon Dingsdale crossed the line twice and added seven goals. Man of the match was Carl Traynor.

Crusaders under 15s 14

Halton Hornets 16

Injury hit Crusaders were superior in possession and territorial advantage but just could not put the ball over the line enough times to take the spoils. Kays Welding Supplies man-of-the-match Gaz Bowes grabbed a hat-trick of tries and Carl Forber capped off a fine performance with a conversion.

Crusaders under 14s 16

Leigh Miners Rangers 16

Crusaders got off to a great start when scrum half Rob King jinked his way in for a try near the post which Shaun Terry converted. It looked like a mountain to climb when slack defence let Rangers in for three tries to lead 6-14 at half time. Crusaders rallied strongly when James Graham crashed over from a short range. Then left-wing Adam Lawrenson pounced on the chance to score near the flag. Shaun Terry's touch line conversion put Crusaders into a 16-14 lead. Rangers levelled with a penalty. Crusaders under 13s 22

Hindley Giants 6

Eleven-man Crusaders scored a fine victory against a spirited Hindley side. Tries were scored by Quinn, Critchley, Wharton and man-of-the-match Cunliffe who also added three goals. There were also good performances from Fairhurst, Newall and Sanderson.

Orrell St James under 11s nil

Crusaders 24

A strong defence was the key to this victory. Points came from man of the match Craig Dearden (2 tries, 1 goal), Ben Robinson (1 try), top tackler Jamie Pennington (1 try). Goals added by coaches award winners John Kerr and Daniel Chantler. Tom Carsley added the other goal. Matchday trophies were sponsored by DC Cook Plumbing.

Wigan St Pats under 10s 16

Crusaders 8

Crusaders gave a splendid performance against bigger opposition. All played well and the points came from tries by Lee Gaskell. Man of the match was Chima Maxwell and Ste Barton and Anthony Harden received coaches awards.

Orrell St James

under nines 52 Crusaders 24

Crusaders put up a very brave fight against a bigger, more experienced Orrell side. Try scorers were man of the match Matthew Harris (3), top tackler Chris Kinsey (1) and unsung heroes Chris Smith (1) and Danny Hughes (1). Carl Forster earned himself a coaches award and most improved were William Lee and Daniel Hilton.

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