North Wales Crusaders boss targets discipline improvement

Crusaders continue their Championship programme with Sunday’s Father’s Day clash at home to Halifax Panthers and head coach Mike Grady is keen to see a reduction in his side’s penalty count.

Looking ahead, he told Cru TV: “Just see where we were poor (against Whitehaven). We need to push up this week in training.

“So, we need to work on what we were poor at in training. Discipline... well, 100 per cent, needs to improve and also defence needs to improve as well.

“But, again, we’ll have a look at numbers and see what we can bring in, and if we need to bring bodies in as well, we’ll do that.”

A feature of recent weeks has been Crusaders bringing loan players in on short term deals to shore up the side.

There were a number of loanees in the line-up for last week’s 80-12 reverse at Whitehaven and it will be something similar once more when North Wales come up against Halifax.

There were positives in the first half at Whitehaven for the visitors, who claimed a couple of tries.

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

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

However, four-try Jay Weatherill more than played his part for Whitehaven, while Jordan Burns secured a hat-trick of scores in the first half.

“I think there was an element of everything in there, if I’m being completely honest,” added Grady.

“When I was looking at it from the sidelines, the penalties, daft penalties, offsides, playing on too long at the ruck, high tackles, we just need to smarten up and then on the back of that, you’re doing too much defending.

“So, you’re making more mistakes and it’s just a constant, and it just keeps going. So, yeah, we need to address that.

“But, the discipline was very poor... so that needs to improve.”

Leaders London Broncos aren’t in action, so Newcastle Thunder can close within two points of top spot with victory at home to Rochdale Hornets.

Widnes Vikings go to Hunslet, Salford entertain Workington Town and Whitehaven pay a visit to Sheffield Eagles.

A trio of matches tomorrow will get the weekend Championship action up and running.

Midlands Hurricanes will be favourites to defeat visitors Swinton Lions, Keighley Cougars head to Goole Vikings and third-placed Barrow Raiders entertain Dewsbury Rams, who currently find themselves in the final play-off berth.