Impressive Oakley pens new North Wales Crusaders' deal
The 24-year-old has agreed to pen a deal that will see him remaining at the Crusaders until the end of the 2027 season.
Oakley told the club's website: 'I'm really happy to be here for another two years.
'We have a special group here and we can really go on to do something special.
'This is the most I've enjoyed my rugby, that's a credit to Foz (Forster) and the lads.
'It shows the togetherness we have as a team. I'm excited to keep pushing forward with the boys, there's big things ahead and I'm proud to be part of it.'
Oakley began his career in the Super League and he went on to make his debut for the Warrington Wolves in 2020.
After this, spells at the likes of Newcastle, Halifax and Hunslet followed, in addition to a loan spell at Crusaders in 2023.
He signed for North Wales on a permanent basis in 2024 and since then, Oakley has made an impressive impact during his time with the club, cementing a regular spot in a team which currently sits at the top of League One.
Head coach Forster added: 'Cole's a great retention for our club. He's cemented his spot in the 17 this season and it's good to see him getting consistent minutes and showing what he's about. He's been outstanding to date and what excites me is he's still young and keen to improve.
'To keep Cole at the club after such strong interest from Championship clubs, it shows what we are building here at Crusaders.'
Crusaders will return to action for a big top-of-the-table showdown on July 6.
Colwyn Bay's Stadiwm CSM will be the setting for the meeting with second-placed Workington Town.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
4 hours ago
- Powys County Times
National assignment on the radar for Vintage hero Zavateri
A trip to Ireland for the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes could be next on the agenda for Zavateri following his hard-fought success at Goodwood on Tuesday. Following a successful debut at Salisbury in early June, the Without Parole colt sprang something of a surprise when landing Newmarket's July Stakes last month, but proved that victory was no fluke when bagging a second Group Two success in the Vintage Stakes on the Sussex Downs. Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton will now look to test her star juvenile at Group One level, potentially at the Curragh on September 14. 'He's come out of Goodwood great,' said the Blewbury-based trainer. 'He is unbelievable because he thought he'd won his race, he'd switched off and then good old Morris Dancer came for him and you could see him flick his ears, change his legs and almost say 'oh for goodness sake, come on then!'. 'We'll look at the Dewhurst but that's quite a long way off, he's in the National Stakes too so that would be quite a nice start for him with the timing – National and then Dewhurst. 'He's fantastic, I'm so proud of him. It's very, very exciting.'
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
National assignment on the radar for Vintage hero Zavateri
Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton will now look to test her star juvenile at Group One level, potentially at the Curragh on September 14. 'He's come out of Goodwood great,' said the Blewbury-based trainer. 'He is unbelievable because he thought he'd won his race, he'd switched off and then good old Morris Dancer came for him and you could see him flick his ears, change his legs and almost say 'oh for goodness sake, come on then!'. 'We'll look at the Dewhurst but that's quite a long way off, he's in the National Stakes too so that would be quite a nice start for him with the timing – National and then Dewhurst. 'He's fantastic, I'm so proud of him. It's very, very exciting.'
Rhyl Journal
9 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Crusaders' players have proved they are a flexible lot!
Should Workington Town lose out against Keighley Cougars, a triumph for North Wales at home to second-placed Swinton Lions would see them crowned as League One champions on Sunday. Crusaders got the better of Newcastle Thunder 72-6 last time out, when a number of team changes were made. On the subject of flexible players who can turn out in a number of positions, head coach Forster told CruCast: 'We're one injury away from needing to do something like that. 'So the fact that, you know, we've done it without getting an injury, it's obviously a plus. 'So, you learn a few things and, you know, if Jordy (Gibson) or Dal (Jamie Dallimore, pictured) goes down injured next week or whatever, touch wood, we know that Lloyd (Roby) can step in and play that role, and Toby (Hughes) can drop to one and, ultimately, they can be inter-changeable in the game. 'Where, if you want to try something new, they can just swap and it'll become natural to them.'
