STAR man Alex Eckley says the fine winning run is putting a target on the backs of the in-form North Wales Crusaders.

It may not have been pretty, but it's now five wins from five in League 1 for the Crusaders following last weekend's 22-18 comeback success at home to the Midlands Hurricanes.

Eckley was the man of the match during that triumph and speaking to the club's Twitter page, he admitted: "Teams are going to come and try and put one over on us.

"We're setting our standard now.

"We're undefeated in the league. Teams are going to come here wanting to get a result and they nearly did it today, but we stuck in there and the result came on our side and we got the two points."

Following a mixed beginning last time out, Anthony Murray's side ended the campaign in fine fashion to qualify for the end-of-season play-offs.

That run of form supplied the side with confidence heading into the new season and Eckley said: "We had a target that was set and we've achieved that and we just want to go again next week and get that six from six."

It will be top versus bottom at Colwyn Bay on Sunday with the Crusaders hosting West Wales Raiders.

As well as the two points, there will be silverware up for grabs with the home side defending the Celtic Shield.

Crusaders are the first holders of the shield after they defeated Cornwall earlier in the campaign.

"Looking forward to it," said Eckley about the next encounter.

"It's always a good game when you play them.

"Obviously, a Welsh derby for us.

"We get prepared for it, we have good training Tuesday and Thursday and then hopefully go again next week and put in a better performance."

Bradford Bulls have parted company with head coach John Kear by mutual consent.

Kear’s departure, which ends a four-and-a-half-year stay at Odsal, was confirmed within hours of Monday night’s 32-18 home defeat by top-of-the-table Featherstone Rovers, which left the Bulls in ninth place in the Championship.

Chairman Nigel Wood told the club’s official website: “We would like to thank John for his considerable efforts on behalf of the club over the last four years."

In tonight’s Super League clash, Wakefield are at home to Huddersfield.