Griffiths pleased with Crusaders progress
North Wales Crusaders coach Clive Griffiths was delighted with his side’s performance in their first home game at The Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium last Sunday.
The new club made it two wins out of two in pre-season friendlies with Sunday’s 50-22 win over fellow Championship 1 side Rochdale Hornets following on quickly from a 34-12 win over Leigh East the week before.
Now Griffiths and his side must step up again when they face Championship side Halifax in Wrexham next Sunday 5th February.
“It was our first home game and I said to the boys beforehand that you only have one chance to make a good first impression and I think we made a good one,” Griffiths said.
“It wasn’t just the victory but the manner of the victory as well and the brand of rugby league that we had on display. Some of the tries were top draw, as good as you’ll see anywhere. Once we iron out a few things in the defensive department, as we gave them three gift tries from kicks, we’ll be even stronger and more difficult to beat.
“When we need to kill the game, we’ll kill the game. Our philosophy will be to entertain and play a brand of rugby that everyone wants to come here and watch and what the players want to play as well.
“The work in progress signs are still up, no doubt about that, it was encouraging signs and a sizable crowd which we’re all very happy with I’m sure.”
The Crusaders will be pleased with the crowd of 751 for a friendly, a higher attendance that all bar two of the average crowds in Championship 1 last year.
“We had over 750 in the ground for a friendly and if you’re knocking on those figures for Championship 1 then you’re doing things very well,” Griffiths adds. “There’s not many teams in this league who will get that level of support. In all I’m very delighted and encouraged by everything on Sunday and hopefully all of them, and more, will come back to the Racecourse on Sunday 5th February when we take on Halifax.”
Admission to North Wales Crusaders v Halifax at The Glyndwr University Racecourse Stadium this Sunday 5th February (kick-off time TBC) costs just £5 per person (apart from under 14s who go free).
