The U12s travelled to the Yarm Wolves Festival over the weekend, taking part in 3 competitive matches. This marked just their second appearance on a full-size pitch, a format that had previously tested the team during an earlier festival, where they struggled with both attacking cohesion and defensive coverage. The challenges of adapting to the larger playing area were evident in that first outing. With gaps in positioning and coordination, it became clear that a fresh approach was needed. The coaching team responded swiftly, going back to the drawing board to identify key areas for development and came up with a simplified game plan. The new strategy was both smart and straightforward: divide the squad into two units, each responsible for one half of the field, left or right. Players were in charge of defending their zone with discipline while supporting attacking phases through clear communication and structured play. As part of the new offensive strategy, the team worked through three sets of plays down one side before swinging the ball wide on the fourth, an approach that paid dividends, resulting in a number of well-worked tries. The transformation was clear to see. The players embraced the system, communicated effectively, and showed a vastly improved understanding of positional play. Defensively, they held their ground with purpose. In attack, they played with intent and structure. And crucially, they began scoring tries consistently. More than just the on-field success, the biggest win was the confidence and camaraderie building within the group. The team played with energy, resilience, and a visible sense of enjoyment. They supported each other, adapted to the tactical changes, and took real pride in their progress. This festival marked an important step in the Catterick Crusaders U12s’ development journey. With every outing, they’re growing in confidence, sharpening their skills, and learning the value of teamwork. The future is bright for this promising young squad. Match report courtesy of coach Baz!

There may have been no game for our Masters team this weekend but that didn’t stop our players getting out and about. As everyone knows it was a massive day in the Rugby League calendar on Saturday, with the Challenge Cup Final taking place at Wembley. Hull KR just edged Warrington in heartbreaking fashion. Shouting for the Wire was Clarkie, who had gone down with the family for the day. Also down there, in that there London was Goadie! It’s got to be said if there’s one man that’s bought into the Spirit of Masters, it’s Goadie. He traveled down on Friday having accepted an invitation from Doncaster Toll Bar Masters to play an evening game against Brixton Bulls Masters. Having secured some Donny stash he enjoyed a run out before a great evening socialising, and bagging himself an invite to play for Brixton in Dublin in August ……. oh and bagging himself more stash. Stash magnet Goadie! The following day it was off to Wembley where he met up with Clarkie for a half time quafette, before watching his beloved York City Knights beat Featherstone Rovers in the 1895 Final. Before anyone asks, yes, he bagged himself more stash, this time a Hull KR shirt! At the other end of the country in a completely different but an equally impressive setting, Smudge, played at the Ambleside festival, as a guest for Blackpool Stanley. A cracking day was had. However, Smudge had a dramatic fail in the stash department. Maybe next time mate! Spot the odd one out! Crusaders Masters will be back at it, on Saturday, when we take a trip ‘ali, ‘ali, ‘ali, ‘ali-‘alifax! To play our good mates at Boothtown! Always looking for new players for if you’re 35 and over and fancy it, please get in touch.

Match Report: Catterick Crusaders U14 vs Wallsend Centurions U14 Final Score: Catterick Crusaders 36 – 6 Wallsend Centurions Catterick Crusaders U14s delivered a confident and commanding performance in their March fixture against Wallsend Centurions, finishing with an impressive 36–6 victory that highlighted both their attacking prowess and their growing maturity as a team. The opening stages saw Catterick explode out of the blocks, setting the tone with a fast-paced and fluid style of play. Their intent was clear from the first set — quick ball movement, sharp decision-making, and strong running lines had Wallsend on the back foot early. Four first-half tries came from crisp passing and powerful support play, with the Crusaders showing real chemistry and a clinical edge in the final third. Each score was a product of disciplined structure and growing confidence, as the team executed their game plan to near perfection. But while the first half was all about firepower and flair, it was the second half that truly showed how far this Crusaders side has come in their development. Rather than chasing points, the boys focused on game management — completing sets, building pressure, and winning the territory battle. It was clear that the coaching messages were being taken on board, as the team looked to control the tempo and make smart decisions under fatigue. There were moments where execution slipped, and Wallsend capitalised on one such lapse to cross the line for a try. But rather than letting their heads drop, Catterick responded with maturity — resetting, regrouping, and closing ranks defensively. Their communication improved as the half wore on, with players taking more responsibility in organising the defensive line and managing the ruck. Offensively, they remained composed, adding three more well-worked tries to put the result beyond doubt. The final whistle blew on a performance that wasn’t just about scoring points — it was about composure, learning, and growth. This was a game where Catterick showed both their attacking flair and their ability to manage a lead — a vital step forward in their development. With each fixture, they’re becoming a more complete side, and this result will no doubt give them plenty of confidence heading into the next challenge. Testing the strength of the new kit

On Saturday it was Crusaders turn to host a festival for the Primary Rugby League ages. Unfortunately numbers for U8’s were low and we therefore couldn’t facilitate a contact game for them, however, they mixed in with the U7’s and enjoyed a morning of Tag Rugby. Crusaders decided on two 4 a-side teams. With coach Jase was, Thomas, Henry, Ollie and Teddy. With coach Darren was Beauden, Spencer, Benjamin and Bobby (from Yarm Wolves). The teams, as well as playing each other, played Cramlington Rockets and Consett Eagles, who also made space for a Yarm player. The games were great fun with each player getting at least one turn to run with the ball in a set of 6. There was some excellent passing and some fantastic footwork. The most impressive element was everyone’s ability to identify space and attack that area. The Crusaders v Crusaders+ game was saved until the end. Coach Jase’s shirts team taking on the might of Coach Darren’s bib team. It was a great game with lots of tries as well as good core skills. For some players this was their first ever festival and they had been, excitedly, looking forward to it all week. Their enjoyment in getting kitted out and representing Crusaders was clear to see and they put into practice everything they had been taught. Well done boys. Crusaders U7 and U8’s are always looking for new players so please get in touch if you think your superstar would like to give it a go.

Catterick Crusaders U16s put in a commanding performance against a determined Gateshead Storm outfit, running out 36-20 winners in a hard-fought contest. The Crusaders came out firing from the first whistle, showing strong intent and energy across the park. Their early dominance set the tone for the half, with sharp decision-making and cohesive team play leading to several well-worked tries. Their defensive line was equally impressive, shutting down Storm’s advances and maintaining pressure throughout. By the break, the Crusaders held a deserved 24-0 lead. In the second half, Gateshead Storm began to claw their way back into the game. Despite Crusaders having no interchanges, they showed resilience and heart, capitalising on a few lapses in Crusaders concentration to get on the scoreboard. Storm continued to test Crusaders defence with some promising passages of play. However, the Crusaders weathered the storm and responded with composure. Taking advantage of opposition errors and showing great vision in attack, they extended their lead with further tries to seal the result. A strong defensive stand in the final stages ensured a 36-20 victory for the Crusaders. A solid all-round performance from Catterick, with moments of brilliance and teamwork shining through, sets them up well for the next challenge.

Final Score: Catterick Crusaders 26 – 14 Gateshead Storm Catterick Crusaders U14s continued their strong run of form with a hard-fought 26-14 win over a resilient Gateshead Storm side. The Crusaders showcased their attacking flair in a dominant first half, before digging deep in the second to secure the win. From the opening whistle, Catterick looked sharp and focused. Their attacking sets were clinical, shifting the ball wide with confidence and linking up seamlessly across the park. The team looked every bit as composed as they do on the training field, and their hard work paid off with four unanswered tries in the first half. The Crusaders’ defence was just as impressive, shutting down any threat posed by Storm. By the break, Catterick had built a solid 16-0 lead. However, the second half told a different story. Whether it was a drop in intensity or a lapse in concentration, the Crusaders allowed Storm back into the contest. A series of missed tackles and unforced errors saw Gateshead cross the line twice, clawing their way back into the game. Despite the pressure, Catterick regrouped well. A crucial try midway through the half steadied the ship, and although Storm added a third try late on, the Crusaders held their nerve to close out the match 26-14. While the second half offered lessons to learn, it was another strong overall performance from Catterick, who continue to grow in confidence and cohesion as a team. Thanks to all our sponsors for there support.

With the next game for our Masters team being a few weeks away, two of our players who were itching for a game, answered the request to play as guests on Saturday. Doncaster Toll Bar Masters (our opposition in July) notified Smudge that their opposition, Morley Knights, were low on numbers. Smudge and Goady answered the call to arms. Smudge and Goady rocking the training t-shirts! The game was a cracking contest. Morley Knights, had 8 players plus 3 lads from Hull masters and with Smudge and Goady that made it up to the golden number of 13. It was organised chaos to start with whilst working out who was playing where and no run throughs, pre match. The team went straight into it not knowing what to expect and all they could do was trust the Masters to their left and right. Goady settled in well as the right centre and in true Goady fashion he was quick off the line, in order to be up and at ‘em, before they new what had happened causing them to panic and make mistakes early on. During the first half, Goady was always the first to the scrum restart which left the rest of the team saying “calm down we need a breather” 😂! Smudge managed to bag himself two tries, one of which was, allegedly, a full lengther from the Morley try line! However without photographic evidence or witness verification we are settling for falling over his own laces, having caught the ball in front of the Toll Bar line! A few minutes later the Knights 9 made a break from their own half to get a 2 v 1 against the Toll Bar fullback. Once the 9 had drawn him in he offloaded it to Smudge who managed to get it down under the sticks, despite a valiant effort from the fullback who made a covering tackle as Smudge crossed the line. A scintillating 0-0 draw, played in great Masters spirits, with players from far and wide guesting to ensure the game went ahead! Handshakes before and after. 3 cheers for both teams. Well natured boo’s for the ref. No trash talk in the bar, because no one cares about the score (always listed as 0-0). What’s not to love about Masters RL? Crusaders Masters next game is Saturday 14th June against Boothtown Terriers Masters. Anyone interested in getting involved, just let us know.

It’s been a slow start to the season with our Primary Rugby League level teams, but on Saturday our U7’s took a huge leap forward, with great numbers. With one returnee who brought his buddy and an amazing 4 new players from Coach Jason’s after school delivery at Le Cateau Primary School, everything was shaping up for a fun session! Just like the older teams, the team started with a warm up, but no dynamics for this bunch, they cut straight to the fun stuff. Firstly with a game of Pinch-A-Bib and then Chaos Tag. The fun games continued into their learning, with a game of Cops and Robbers to practice their grip. They then moved on to some passing, before finishing the session with a game of Tag rugby. Crusaders U7’s would love to see even more players, join in the fun! U7’s is Tag Rugby small sided games where players get lots of opportunities to catch, pass, run and evade. Please get in touch if you think your child would like to get involved! Next week see’s the team playing against other North East teams at a festival hosted by the club at Robertson Rd.

On Saturday a couple of Crusaders U8’s made the journey up the A1 to take part in Gateshead Storm’s festival. With numbers across the board for True 8’s (school year 3), being pretty low, a couple of rapidly assembled baa-baa teams was the order of the day! Crusaders dynamic duo, Teddy and Beauden matched up with a player from Yarm and a player from Cramlington. Whilst a pair of players from, both, Storm and Consett formed the opposition. An absolutely fantastic game took place. Less players, more individual action! Defensively all players made their contact count with some great tackles. Clearly club coaches have done a great job as there was not a fling tackle in sight. From a Crusaders perspective both Beauden and Teddy showed great technique with the latter sticking in a number of well executed side tackles to stop the opposition from scoring. In attack, both sides played some great rugby. Jinking runs, slick passing and great offloads. The running opportunities within the sets of 6 were well shared out and every player had plenty of time on the ball. Again, from a Crusaders point of view, Teddy went for the direct approach with some cracking barging runs that kept the opposition working hard to stop him. Beauden used his great foot work throughout the game with quick footed jinking runs to cut through the opposition. Both our Crusaders were happy with their try tally for the game. Despite the slightly lower numbers, the game was a fantastic game. All players displayed a good level of skill, both on and off the ball. Crusaders are actively recruiting Year 3 (contact) and Year 2 (tag) players to join our great club. Please get in touch if you think your child would like to get involved.

Crusaders Under-10s headed to Gateshead Storm for an exciting rugby festival, showcasing skill, teamwork, and determination across three competitive matches. Game 1: Yarm/Consett The Crusaders started strong, putting on an impressive attacking display. Alfred led the charge with a hat-trick of tries, while Noah B added another to the tally. Defensive efforts were equally commendable, with Lukas, Seb, Noah B, and Max putting in solid tackles to keep the opposition at bay. Game 2: Storm A great battling performance from both sides, the Crusaders showed resilience and determination. Noah B and Lochlan each crossed the try line, demonstrating the team’s attacking flair. On defence, Noah F stood out with two crucial tackles, alongside strong contributions from Noah B, Lochlan, and Henry. Game 3: Cramlington The Crusaders had another impressive performance. Noah B added two more tries to his tally, with Lochlan and Alfred also scoring. Lukas, Alfred, Noah F, and Austin made key tackles, showing grit and determination on the defensive end. Player Awards - Parents’ Player: Noah B – for his outstanding contributions throughout the matches. - Coaches’ Player: Alfred – recognizing his exceptional performance and leadership on the field. The team displayed fantastic effort and sportsmanship throughout the festival, proving that the future of Crusaders rugby is bright! Next Festival: The Crusaders will be back in action at their own grounds on the 31st of May, hosting another exciting event.

Catterick Crusaders U14 launched their NERL League campaign in dominant fashion with a comprehensive 46–6 victory over Yarm Wolves U14 in the first leg. From the opening whistle, the Crusaders set the tone with aggressive carries and relentless pressure, consistently punching holes in the Yarm defence. Their ability to ship the ball out wide to the fringes created repeated overlaps, leading to a string of well-executed tries. Coupled with some textbook defending, Catterick controlled the first half from start to finish. By the break, they held a commanding 26–6 lead, leaving Yarm with plenty to think about. The second half saw Catterick step things up another gear, showcasing not just power, but flair. A few clever chips over the top caught Yarm off guard, leading to more scoring opportunities. Defensively, the Crusaders remained solid, shutting down any Wolves attack with some excellent cover tackles and line speed. In the end, Catterick finished with an emphatic 46–6 win, sending a strong message to the rest of the league. With the second leg still to come, the Crusaders will look to carry this momentum forward and continue their strong start to the season. A number of strong performances across the park, but it was the Crusaders’ teamwork and discipline that stood out most in this commanding victory. Next Fixture: Yarm Wolves will look to bounce back in the second leg, but Catterick Crusaders will be keen to build on this dominant showing and continue their unbeaten run in the league where they host Consett Eagles at home at Robertson road on 24/5/25 with a 1030KO. We would also like to thank our sponsors for there support this season.

On Saturday it wasn’t just the bright sun that raised temperatures, as Crusaders and Yarm Wolves served up a scorcher at Yarm’s, Grosvenor Rd pitch. Crusaders had suffered from a lack of prolonged preparation prior to game, managing just a single session on Wednesday night that had good numbers. It was great to see the players putting into practice the skills they had worked on, to great effect. From the off Crusaders pounded the Wolves line with some great build up work in the forwards. Once on a roll this allowed, halves, Isaiah and Simi to go hard at the line with support to ask telling questions of the Wolves players. It wasn’t long before Crusaders got onto the scoresheet through this approach. Wolves were never going to roll over with such a talented young squad, and added to a brilliant first half with a some hard running forwards laying a foundations for their half back to run across the Crusaders line to keep the Crusaders players guessing. A solid defensive display from Crusaders forced errors from the Wolves team which Crusaders were able to capitalise upon, going into half time, comfortably in front. Head Coach Ollie Redding’s messages at the break were clear and precise, stick to our processes, aim to get to the kick and maintain a solid defence. The second period started with a superb kick off return score by Simi. However shortly afterwards Crusaders were down to 12 when one player was sent for a 10 rest and re-assessment of his tackle technique! During that period Crusaders naivety in game management started to show. Rather than ensuring ball security through simple play, the team chanced offloads that weren’t finding the target, which Wolves exploited to the full. By the end of the sin binning, Wolves were just a score behind. Fortunately Crusaders forced an error inside their 20m, an effective play from the scrum saw Jack break through the defensive line to motor the rest the way to score. The rest of the game saw both sides giving it their all with players, such as Riley, playing through the bumps and bangs to continue playing in this epic. The score finished 38 - 30 in favour of Crusaders. Our U16’s will train on Wednesday night at 6. 30 pm at Wavell 4G pitches, under the watchful eye of former Newcastle Thunder Scholarship and Scottish Student international Oliver Redding. All new players are welcome.