Latest news with #RochdaleHornets
Leader Live
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Crusaders determined they're not stung by the Hornets
Crusaders, leading the way in League One, will play host to Rochdale Hornets at Colwyn Bay's Stadiwm CSM on Sunday and this will be game nine of North Wales' 18-match campaign. The front-runners go into the match-up on the back of a hard-fought 30-6 success at Keighley Cougars and head coach Forster is geared up for a testing afternoon. He told Cru TV: 'It's going to be a tough one. I think in terms of brand of rugby, I think Rochdale are playing up there with the best. 'They've got some great halves, good full-backs, Martyn (Ridyard), (Gregg) McNally, Lewis Else. 'We're going to have to do our homework. It's going to be a really tough game. 'In the last couple of years, we've really struggled against Rochdale. So, that's something that we want to put right and a bit like this place (Keighley). 'We've not come here for 11 years and come here and won. So, I've just said to the lads that, you know, they're the group of people that's done that and hopefully we go and repeat that against Rochdale.' Crusaders' players may have been guilty of trying to force the issue in their win against Keighley and Forster wants his players to make sure they play in the right areas of the pitch. He stressed: 'I feel like we've got quality players and we've got great strike (players), if we get down in their half, I feel like we need to score points and I think lads get a bit frustrated. 'I keep saying, my message is, just be happy to be playing in those areas of the field, sustain pressure and that's what we did, and the points will follow. 'You've seen (Sam) Wildey on an edge there. I thought Pat Ah Van in the centre... he was a forced decision. 'You know, I'm not going to turn around and say it was a coaching masterclass decision. It wasn't, it was a forced one. 'Pat put his hand up to play centre, we knew Jack (Houghton) would do a great job. I thought Jack was outstanding... and that's kind of solved the problem for us at the minute.' It's turning out to be an intriguing League One campaign and just five points separate the sides in the top seven positions. Rochdale find themselves in fourth spot and they are four points adrift of the pace being set by Crusaders. Just a point behind North Wales in second and third are Workington Town and Midlands Hurricanes. Workington have home advantage versus Dewsbury Rams on Sunday, while Midlands welcome Swinton Lions. The other match-up sees Keighley heading to Newcastle Thunder.
Leader Live
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
North Wales Crusaders coach makes his case for the defence
Crusaders are sitting pretty at the head of League One ahead of their Sunday showdown at home to Rochdale Hornets. While a tally of 261 points means North Wales are the biggest scorers so far, just as pleasing for head coach Forster is the 92 points conceded, which means his side boasts the best defensive record. Crusaders shut Keighley Cougars out during the second half of last week's 30-6 victory and Forster told Cru TV: 'Apart from the Swinton second half, I think defensively all year we've been pretty outstanding. 'I think we're up there with one of the best defences in the league - I think we are the best defence now. 'It's a trait that we wanted to bring in this year and the lads have bought into how we want to defend and, ultimately, it's those boys on the field doing it. 'They turn up for each other and it's another 40 minutes where we don't concede, and even the six points we did concede was off a play five kick.'
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
St Helens sign Cross from Salford to end of 2027
St Helens have signed outside back Deon Cross on a two-and-a-half-year deal from beleaguered Super League club Salford Red 29-year-old joins his hometown club having previously played for Rochdale Hornets, Barrow Raiders and Widnes Vikings before joining making his Super League debut in 2022, Cross has since made 93 top-flight appearances and scored 32 tries as well as earning an England Knights call-up."This is more than just a club for me, with all the history and the connections I have got between the club and my family. I can't wait," he said."I've been a fan growing up, a season-ticket holder when I was a young lad, and now being coached by Paul Wellens, who I used to watch when he played at Knowsley Road. I think you have to pinch yourself sometimes."Cross has featured in seven games for Salford in all competitions this season, with his most recent coming against Catalans in the Challenge Cup on 4 April."Deon is a great addition to come into our squad and a player I've admired for some time," said head coach Wellens."It's a great story, similar to Matt Whitley, as he was a young lad in our system as a junior, and it didn't quite work out for him. Now, he's come full circle, and I know how much it means to him to represent this club."
