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Regular run of matches at last for North Wales Crusaders!

Regular run of matches at last for North Wales Crusaders!

Leader Live05-07-2025
With the nature of League One this year, it has been a stop-start campaign for Carl Forster's side, who have done well to only lose once so far.
Nine wins from 10 games sees them three points clear at the summit ahead of Sunday's big showdown at home to second-placed Workington Town.
This is one of three matches Cru will play in July and the stretch of matches will go a long way to deciding if they're about to secure the top honour.
While the focus is on making this season a title-winning one, sights have also been switched to the future as Crusaders look to keep hold of their strong squad.
Head coach Forster told CruCast: 'I believe that this team can go far, whether that be League One near the top, competing in the Championship.
'Whatever that may be, I believe in these lads. So, we feel like we've got a special thing at the minute.
'We are going to try and bring in additional players as well, but right now, it's about retention and keeping hold of what we have, and keeping hold of our assets and that's what these players are.
'If we can build something and be together for a sustained amount of time, I think it'll just pay the benefits.'
North Wales have made sure a number of their key players are to remain with the club for the next few seasons.
Two-year deals have been penned by the likes of Ollie Brookes, Cole Oakley, Sam Wilde and Josh Eaves, who have all proved to be pivotal figures during what's been an excellent campaign so far for the side.
Forster added: 'Going longer down the line, you see a lot of part-time teams - ourselves included - in the last couple of years where you're changing 10 lads every season and it just becomes tough.
'I think pre-season as a coach, you just feel like you're starting from scratch again and you've got five or six lads that did it all the year before, and probably look a little bit bored and that's just the cycle of part-time rugby.
'You know, we're just trying to do things a little bit different.'
There's still a long way to go this season and Crusaders have eight matches left to play.
They are three points ahead of Workington Town and Midlands Hurricanes, with Swinton Lions a further point adrift in the chase for the league title.
Dewsbury Rams are also in the mix and they will be heading to North Wales on July 13. Crusaders will conclude their July programme away to Newcastle Thunder a fortnight later.
Third-placed Midlands, beaten by Goole Vikings last time out, will be looking to bounce back as they host mid-table Rochdale Hornets on Sunday.
Keighley Cougars welcome Dewsbury Rams and Swinton Lions pay a visit to Whitehaven.
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