CARL FORSTER was left to look at the positives and the negatives from North Wales Crusaders’ sole friendly ahead of the start of the new campaign.

Crusaders scored first and last as they opened their preparations for the new season with a testing trip to Championship side Barrow, who came out on top by a 32-18 margin.

Reflecting on the match, head coach Forster (pictured above) told the club’s X site: “There’s some good bits and bad bits.

“It’s our first hit out since obviously the final, so we knew it was going to be sloppy.

“We knew there was going to be certain areas that wasn’t quite up to scratch, but that’s what friendlies are for and we learned a lot.

“I went in at half-time, obviously I wasn’t best pleased with our defensive stuff.

“I think we conceded 28 points in the first half, so challenged them to be a lot better and obviously the second half’s 6-6, so they responded really well.”

North Wales Crusaders will open their season at Colwyn Bay’s Stadiwm CSM on Sunday, January 28 when they host Championship side Swinton Lions in the 1895 Cup.