A BRAND-NEW season is underway for Wales’ only wheelchair rugby league team, the North Wales Crusaders who are based in Deeside, Flintshire.

The Crusaders got off to a losing start in the first match of their 2019 Roma Wheelchair Rugby Championship season against Rochdale Hornets, but Daz Reynolds tells The Leader how the team he plays for plans to improve.

He says: “I’m feeling okay about the new season, and I’m happy with the squad we have.

“Rochdale we’re good against us, though, and we have to improve. We have a friendly planned on Saturday to help us prepare for the future games.”

The Hornets, who scored a try in the opening minute of the game at Deeside Leisure Centre, were rewarded for their relentless work rate and quick plays with a comfortable 72-12 win over the North Wales team.

A week after their upcoming friendly, the North Wales Crusaders will head to Hull – who currently sit top of the 2019 Championship after also winning by a 72-12 scoreline against Medway Dragons.

Bradford Bulls and Dundee Dragons complete the six-team league, which is set to run until August 2019, with a Grand Final taking place in Gillingham in September.

The North Wales Crusaders were founded in 2013 and are the only wheelchair rugby league team in Wales.

They are continually open to new players who wish to join, and those who are interested can attend training sessions which take place each Friday between 5.30pm and 7.30pm at Deeside Leisure Centre.

The team is comprised of both able-bodied and disabled members, as league rules allow for each team to have up to two able-bodied members – who do have to play the game in a wheelchair.