NORTH WALES CRUSADERS enjoyed the ideal start the new League One season.

Carl Forster’s side began in fine fashion with their 40-16 success away to Cornwall.

Five weeks after their last competitive action, Crusaders showed little signs of the travel taking its toll as they raced into an early lead courtesy of Kieran Taylor, who made Cornwall pay for allowing consecutive sets on their line as he crossed the whitewash to open the scoring.

Ten minutes later and Crusaders extended their lead to 10-0 as Toby Hughes (pictured below) danced through the Cornwall defence.

As the hosts were made to pay for their ill discipline, Crusaders continued to make use of good field position with captain Chris Barratt powering his way through the defence to score the next try.

After half-an-hour, the visitors were able to apply further pressure with player-coach Forster crashing over from close range to give his side a 22-0 advantage going into half-time.

However, eight minutes into the second-half, Crusaders were given a reminder not to switch off as Cornwall worked their way into the game via Harry Aaronson, who weaved his way over the whitewash to reduce the gap.

The North Wales side didn’t allow this to effect them and they responded almost instantly. After switching defence into attack, Dan Coates finished off a nice break.

Crusaders extended their lead to 30 points as player/coach Forster grabbed his second try of the afternoon, bulldozing over from close range.

Moving into the closing 10 minutes, Hughes added his second score of the afternoon, completing a nice team move for potentially the best score of the contest.

It was Cornwall who enjoyed the better of things in the closing stages.

Nathan Cullen crashed on to a flat pass to score a try, converted by Cameron Brown, while Crusaders then saw Pat Rainford being sent to the sin bin.

Making use of their man advantage, Cornwall crossed for their third and final score from Brown’s clean break.

Midland Hurricanes blow away Newcastle Thunder 70-16, while Hunslet pipped Rochdale Hornets 26-24.

There was a also a comfortable 58-16 win for Keighley over Workington.