MORE than just two points is on offer for the all-conquering North Wales Crusaders this weekend.

True, victory is the most important thing as Anthony Murray's League 1 leaders play host to bottom-of-the-table West Wales Raiders in Colwyn Bay on Sunday.

However, the Crusaders will also be defending the newly-created Celtic Shield.

Crusaders are the first holders of the shield after they defeated Cornwall in their first ever competitive fixture earlier in the campaign.

Murray's not taking anything for granted ahead of the contest and he said: "It's a derby game.

"Everybody wants bragging rights and I am sure West Wales will be working hard to get their season off to a more positive start.

"Ashley Bateman was a full on player and he will have that passion to get that message over to his players."

Crusaders, targeting a sixth consecutive win to open the league campaign, go into the match on the back of a comeback 22-18 victory versus Midlands Hurricanes last time out.

Murray admitted the team wasn't at it's best, but he stressed: "It was just a case of getting the two points.

"I didn't expect anything other than a really tough fixture.

"They were coming off the back of two good wins and we were coming off a really tough game versus Swinton.

"It shows the potential in the team to play poorly but still win.

"The potential in the team is still there and we were glad we got the two points.

"The opposition in the division doesn't allow you to be on top form every week.

"If you look at the division last year and this year, there's nothing in it whatsoever."

As far as the start Crusaders have made, Murray couldn't be any happier.

"Our focus was on starting our season better," he added.

"That was the aim this year.

"We have put some in-house goals of where we want to be and we are on course."

After West Wales will come a block of six fixtures that will test Crusaders.

Meetings with Doncaster, Oldham, Hunslet and fellow unbeaten side Keighley on the horizon.

"We just have to keep getting as many points as we can," stressed Murray.

"We still take each game as it comes."

Rob Massam, Harry Swarbrick and Matt Reid are expected to be in contention for starting spots.

However, balancing this out, Crusaders will be without Pat Rainford, who has a fractured foot, and Scott Turner, who has a fractured shoulder.

Jack Holmes is a doubt with an ankle injury.

Keighley Cougars, the only other League 1 side boasting an unbeaten record, host London Skolars as they aim to make it five wins out of five.

Second-placed Rochdale Hornets make the long trek south to tackle Cornwall, while it's fifth versus sixth as Doncaster welcome Oldham.

Hunslet head to Midland Hurricanes in a mid-table battle.