Ripon 8 Crusaders 21 - Crusaders came out on top in their battle against fellow league stragglers Ripon, at the same time avenging a surprise home defeat in the first match of the season.

Prop John Duffy returned to the side partnering Richard Leach in the front row in the continued absence of Rob Riley and Paul Sinfield, allowing Peter Southgate to revert to the second row. In the backs, experienced wingman Kevin Young made his first start for some weeks after a spell of injury and Dale Towler replaced Tony Fella in the centre, the latter having signed mid week for the Doncaster rugby league club.

The game was a personal triumph for stand off John Harrison who grabbed 16 points with a try, a conversion, two penalty goals and a drop goal, as well as controlling affairs throughout with his skilful touch kicking and tactical awareness.

After Ripon had taken an early lead with a penalty goal by centre Roger Dawson, an eager Crusaders struck back with a try by second row Duncan Walsh after prolonged pressure prompted by good work by Richard Leach and Lee Gordon.

Crusaders were enjoying the rare opportunity to display their skills on a dry pitch, with full back Matt Gaffney prominent with some robust running and young centres Dale Towler and Nigel Curr combining well, both in attack and defence. Play was confined for long periods in the Ripon half before the Visitors' efforts were rewarded by a vintage try by Harrison, who received the ball after a scrum on the Ripon 22 metre line before selling two dummy passes on his way to the line. His conversion and penalty goal a few minutes later gave Crusaders a comfortable cushion of 12 points at half time.

Ripon began the second period in much more determined style. The Crusaders scrum increasingly came under pressure. Prop Richard Leach was regularly penalised at the set pieces although he seemed to be more the victim of the referee's nave interpretation of the scrumaging laws than his own in discretions. Nonetheless, Ripon's forwards took full advantage, winning a scrum on a Crusaders put in which enabled them to launch a powerful attack culminating in a fine try for Ben Taylor.

Signs of nervousness crept into Crusaders game but they were saved by the cool head of stand off Harrison, who dropped a neat goal to extend the lead before making the game safe with his second penalty goal.

It was a deserved and morale boosting victory for the young Crusaders side. They had taken full advantage of the opportunities presented to them and when the need arose displayed the steel in defence that has been lacking in recent weeks. Apart from Harrison's notable contribution there were impressive performances from forwards Mark Lister, Richard Leach and David Pullen and continued promise from Nigel Curr and Dale Towler in the centre who both benefited from the experienced presence of wingman Kevin Young, who marshalled the defence at critical times. The lack of bulk in the forwards remains a problem, but drier conditions should stand them in good stead as the season draws to a close.