Grappenhall Griffins 4 St Helens Crusaders 19 CRUSADERS took a step closer to promotion with this hard-fought victory.

Up against a much bigger side, they took the lead after only five minutes, when Daz Lee went in under the posts.

Crusaders then found themselves under intense pressure and at one stage withstood 18 tackles on their own line.

And they hit back when loose-forward Graham Saunders kicked a penalty and a drop goal.

Just before the break, though, Grappenhall hit back with a try.

However, Crusaders replied after the break when slick handling involving stand-off Alan Whitrow, scrum-half Ste Briggs and centre Andy Fairhurst ended with winger David Lang touching down in the corner.

Format NDE man of the match Whitrow landed a superb conversion from the touchline.

And Whitrow had the final say with a try under the sticks, converted by Saunders.

Others in form were Bloor, Saunders, Hull and Capewell.

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