Crusaders on the march
Crusaders have won two consecutive matches for the first time since entering Super League last season after seeing off Hull 18-16.
Last Updated: 21/02/10 5:45pm
Crusaders have won two consecutive matches for the first time since entering Super League last season after seeing off Hull 18-16.
The Black and Whites were aiming to maintain their unbeaten start to the season, which has seen them beat Huddersfield at the KC Stadium and shock St Helens 32-12 at Knowsley Road.
But, for the Crusaders, it was a chance to make it a second successive victory after beating Salford a week ago and they duly prevailed in a tension-soaked finale.
The home side got off to a great start on a bitterly cold afternoon in Wrexham, when wing Nick Youngquest leapt high in the corner to pluck a cross-kick out of the air on the sixth tackle and slide over for the opening try of the match.
But the lead did not last long as Hull hit back when prop Lee Radford saw a slight gap near the home posts and went through to score.
Loose forward Craig Fitzgibbon converted and had an impressive opening period, causing the Crusaders all sorts of problems with his aggressive carries.
He also added the conversion when wing Tom Briscoe was put in for a simple try at the corner to make it 12-6.
Hull, though, did not have it their own way and were forced to defend bravely towards the end of the half.
Crusaders second rower Weller Hauraki nearly got their second try when he went over the line but the score was ruled out for a knock-on.
Moments later scrum-half Michael Witt did manage to cross after finding a gap in the defensive line, converting his own touchdown and levelling the scores at the break.
Pressure
Hull put the pressure on the hosts and nearly regained the lead when Epalahame Lauaki was superbly held up over the line.
And it did not help the Crusaders' cause that they gave away possession and missed too many tackles.
On the hour, Hull finally got back into the lead when a neat kick through to the try area on the sixth tackle saw centre Kirk Yeaman dive full length and just manage to get downward pressure on the ball for the try.
But the Crusaders hit back to put themselves within reach when Youngquest grabbed his second try of the match with a carbon copy of his first, by jumping high to reclaim the ball from a cross-kick.
Witt then put the Welsh side in the lead with a huge touchline conversion.
The Crusaders' tails were up and they began to put in the tackles which were missing earlier on as Hull spilt possession too often.
And despite a frantic last few minutes, the Crusaders held on for a victory that suggests they are set to compete far more effectively than in their debut season..
