Crusaders 39, Ilkley 12 - Crusaders made amends for a defeat by Ilkley earlier in the season with a long overdue success in their re-arranged friendly match.

Original opponents Kirkby Lonsdale had to withdraw from the scheduled fixture.

Whilst the scoreline suggests a comprehensive win, infect, Crusaders struggled at times to contain Ilkley's spirited forward effort and with only 10 pints separating the sides at half time, the result was in the balance.

The second half appearance of experienced prop John Duffy steadied the ship however, and although Ilkley continued to play with commendable spirit with the front row in particular contesting well, there was no doubting the Crusaders' second half superiority.

Flanker Paul Salmon, certainly one of the club's best prospects for the future, opened the scoring on 10 minutes when to his apparent shock and surprise, he burst away from a scrum on the Ilkley 22 metre line to touch down under the posts. Danny McGee added the conversion.

A penalty goal by McGee added to the lead before stand-off Gary Davey's break created a try for wingman Matt Gaffney.

A determined spell of pressure by Ilkley brought them a deserved try by flanker Barry-John Fowler after a quickly taken tap penalty, to keep them in the game. Early in the second half a good run by McGee, the orchestrator of many of Crusaders' best moves, led to a line out close to the visitors' line and well won possession finished with McGee crossing in the corner.

Gaffney won the chase to touch down a kick ahead by McGee for his second try and a powerful burst by Peter Southgate allowed wingman Nick Wright to wriggle out of several tackles before touching down for a well taken score.

Flanker Christopher Hem's touchdown after a series of scrums close to the Keighley line was a just reward for further stalwart effort by Ilkley's pack, but the home side's extra pace and skill in the backs was always the decisive factor. A sparkling break by Davey continued by centres Kevin Young and Richard Emmott brought Gaffney the last of a well deserved hat-trick of tries. With his sky high confidence he converted his final try from the touchline.

Crusaders 0

Sandal 51

An understrength Crusaders side was unable to cope with a powerful Sandal outfit in Tuesday's Yorkshire Cup first round encounter at Utley.

The visitors, operating three leagues above Crusaders, were too strong up front for the young home side, although there was no shortage of commitment and courage.

Youngsters Paul Salmon and Danny Wright impressed and forwards Peter Southgate Euan Morgan and Simon Walsh regularly caught the eye in pack which was never allowed to settle by the taller and heavier Sandal eight.

Unforced errors by Keighley contributed to two early tries for Sandal and the score mounted steadily in an uneven first half which saw the visitors ahead by 34 points at the break.

Crusaders had their scoring chances but were unable to penetrate a keen defence in a more competitive second half. Morgan came closest when he was blatantly tripped when following his kick ahead in a chase to the line, but Sandal always had something in reserve.

Stand off Dean Lomas exploited the gaps which began to appear as Crusaders tired, grabbing two late tries to add to a brilliant solo effort from wingman Smithson.

n Full back Danny McGee is unavailable for Crusaders' trip to Beverley for the final league match of the season. John Hinchliffe fills his place. In the pack Steve Hargreaves resumes at prop and back row men Darren Ideson and Mark Lister also return.

n Crusaders 2nd XV beat Ilkley 44-15 with a sparkling performance.

Tries came from John Race, Iuan Morgan, Morgan Bailey int he first half.

In the second half they added further scores through Nigel Curr (3), John Hincliffe, Warren Knowles and Simon Shiner. It was one of the second team best performances of the year, with the back division on particularly outstanding form.

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