North Wales Crusaders lose out to Whitehaven in league

Four tries from Jay Weatherill and a first half hat-trick by Jordan Burns helped the hosts to an 80-12 success

Crusaders enjoyed the dream start and they were soon in the lead.

Six minutes had elapsed when Ben Fisher grabbed a try from a deflected kick through and he also added the conversion points.

However, back came Whitehaven and they cut the deficit when Burns made his way over the whitewash.

Weatherill’s first try then handed the Cumbrian hosts the lead, with Ciaran Walker converting, and he also added the extra two points to Jack Kellett’s score.

Burns and Walker added further converted tries to push the home side further clear, but Crusaders then hit back.

Brad Billsborough came up with his side’s second try in the 31st minute and Fisher kicked the conversion.

However, Burns came up with his hat-trick try for the home side and another Walker conversion made it 34-12 at the interval.

After Ben Pearce grabbed a try early in the second half to extend Whitehaven’s lead, both sides were then reduced to 12 men.

Crusaders’ Harry Coleman and Whitehaven’s Ellis Nixon were sent off following an off-the-ball incident.

Ellison Holgate grabbed the home side’s next score, before Walker and Pearce grabbed further tries.

Another couple of scores from Weatherill saw him complete his hat-trick.

With time running down, Weatherill claimed his fourth try of the afternoon and Ethan Bickerdike also crossed the whitewash.

New head coach Mike Grady has been busy bolstering his Crusaders’ squad.

Joe Bradley has put pen to paper on a month-long loan deal, while one-week deals secured the services of Goole Vikings duo Harry Medlicott and Bailey Tait.

Terms have been agreed with Jayden Billy which has seen loan from Sheffield Eagles extended for another week, while Finley Yates is on loan from Salford for a week.

North Wales Crusaders have also been able to confirm longer term deals.

The club has announced the double loan signing of Sam Littler and Marcus Geener from Oldham for the remainder of the season.

Littler is a back-rower who starred for Salford reserves and academy last year, while Geener is a forward, who was handed a full debut against Bradford Bulls last season.

Grady told the club: “Really pleased to have both Sam and Marcus on board with us, both have come from a really good club in Oldham and will add some much needed quality to the squad.

“They are really keen to get going and will be in contention this week against Whitehaven. I want to thank Alan Kilshaw at Oldham for assisting us in getting this over the line.”

Meanwhile, Hull KR product Bailey Dawson and Brad Clavering has committed themselves to the Crusaders until the end of the season.

Other results: Batley 26 Halifax 22; Hunslet 22 Salford 12; Keighley 0 Newcastle 74; Workington 24 Oldham 28; Barrow 18 Sheffield 16.

Widnes Vikings beat Rochdale Hornets 52-0 in the semi-finals of the 1895 Cup. In the final, they will face London Broncos, who defeated Midlands Hurricanes 62-24.