Murray reflects on play-off loss to North Wales Crusaders

It was Murray’s current side Workington Town who hosted his former club in the opening round of the League 1 play-offs and Crusaders bagged 18 unanswered points in the second half to secure a famous 26-10 triumph.

It wasn’t the end to a promising campaign that Murray wanted and he told the Workington Town Facebook page: “Just disappointed, really.

“To be going in at half-time 10-8, I didn’t expect to come out and we just didn’t play well second half and full credit must go to North Wales.

“They capitalised on everything that we gave them, really, and I think that’s it in a nutshell.

“We gave them too much and, you know, they capitalised on it and scored some tries that win the game.

“So, all-in-all, I can’t complain about it.

“We just weren’t good enough on the day in that second half. So, it is what it is and you get beat.”

Crusaders, who finished the season in sixth position, were underdogs heading to fifth-placed Workington for the play-off meeting.

However, in an ideal start, a try from player-coach Carl Forster plus two successful kicks from Leon Hayes had the Crusaders eight points ahead inside the opening 10 minutes.

Workington hit back to take a 10-8 advantage into the break, however the second half was all about the Crusaders, who managed to shutout their hosts.

Further tries arrived courtesy of Kieran Taylor, Pat Rainford and Matt Reid, all of which were converted by Hayes to confirm a famous victory.

This has been the highlight of a testing campaign for the Crusaders, who have only managed to play two games all year at their Stadiwm CSM base in Colwyn Bay.

Forster believes this adversity could stand his side in good stead as they continue their tilt at the play-offs.

“It’s nothing new for us,” he said. “We knew going into the play-offs we have got to win four away games against the four best teams in the league.

“We have done the first one and now we go to Oldham.”

This Sunday’s play-off meeting at Oldham will be played at Boundary Park and it will kick-off at 3pm.

The winner will go forward to meet the loser of the Hunslet v Doncaster tie.

In the Wheelchair Invitational League, Argonauts from Kent maintained their 100 per cent record after beating North Wales Crusaders 60-34.

Stephen Halsey (pictured below) scored two of the Crusaders’ tries with Jakub Wasieczko, Martin Turner, Jess Booth and Mason Baker also on the scoresheet.

A family of four made rugby league history in the other game that took place in Cwmbran. when father and son took on mother and daughter.

Paul Sargent and his son Lee, both Wales internationals, lined up for eventual 62-34 winners Torfaen Tigers, with former Wales head coach Alana Sargent and daughter Libbie playing for Cardiff Blue Dragons.

England beat Wales 22-10 in a Physical Disability Rugby League international on Saturday in Llandovery in what was the first ever home game for Wales, whose try scorers were Morgan Jones and Paul Jones.

Wales recovered from going 24-4 down after an hour to Scotland in their U18 international in Grangemouth, but a late penalty gave Scotland a 26-24 win.

Dylan Morgan scored two tries for Wales, who had North Wales Crusaders starlet Jacob Bloxham playing against them for the Scots.

Tributes have poured in for one of rugby’s cross-code greats following the death of David Watkins at the age of 81.

Blaina-born Watkins, known affectionately as “Dai”, played rugby union for Newport and was part of the team which famously beat the touring All Blacks in 1963.

He also won 21 caps for Wales and captained the British Lions before making a shock switch to rugby league with Salford in 1967 having resisted interest from St Helens as an 18-year-old.

A statement from the Wales Rugby Football League read: “Everyone at Wales Rugby League was sad to hear about the passing of David Watkins MBE, one of our greatest ever players and is recognised as one of the greatest Welshmen to have ever pulled on a rugby shirt.”