Familiar faces as North Wales Crusaders tackle Salford

The hosts are looking to secure a spot in the end-of-season play-offs and they strengthened these aims via a 64-4 triumph.

Following a competitive opening to the contest, Salford managed to take control of proceedings after they claimed an 11th minute lead.

Former Crusader Toby Hughes came up with the first try of the match and this was duly converted by Kieran Hughes.

Five minutes later and the home side were able to stretch their advantage. Callum Green came up with the try on this occasion and Dixon added the extras.

Just after they received a penalty for a high tackle, Salford had their third score. Lewis Pilling etched his name on the scoresheet in the 19th minute and Dixon kicked his third successful conversion.

Four minutes latest, Dixon added the extras to Hughes’ try as Salford moved 24-0 ahead.

Jake Spedding and Cole Oakley - other former North Wales players - added further home tries before the interval arrived, but there was also something for Crusaders’ supporters to cheer.

Lewis Holgate grabbed the visitors’ opening try of the contest with six minutes of the first half left to play.

At the interval, it was Salford who held a 36-4 advantage.

The subject of former Cru players grabbing tries for Salford continued after the break.

Owain Abel, Spedding and Joe Baldwin all crossed the whitewash, before Owen Haldenby added a brace.

Pilling grabbed the home side’s final try with four minutes remaining.

Leading into their return to action, Crusaders were able to announce a couple of loan acquisitions.

North Wales revealed they had agreed loan terms with Barrow Raiders’ product Steve Watson and he join up with the club on an initial one-week loan.

Watson signed his first professional contract with the Cumbrian outfit ahead of the 2026 campaign and the young prop came up against Crusaders in a pre-season friendly at the end of last year.

He was included in the 21-man squad for the Salford encounter, as was Ollie Polec, who was with the club on a one-week loan agreement from Super League Leigh Leopards.

The weekend Championship action got underway on Friday evening, with Oldham securing a 20-14 success from their trip to Batley Bulldogs.

Leaders London Broncos have continued their relentless charge towards lifting the title.

They extended their winning run to 16 matches with a comfortable 78-16 verdict at home to Hunslet.

Widnes Vikings are in the mix for a top-two finish and they did these aims no harm with a 52-0 outcome at Goole Vikings.

Halifax Panthers defeated Swinton Lions 30-22 in the remaining contest.