Doncaster RLFC cruise to emphatic victory at North Wales Crusaders

Richard Horne’s side dominated from start to finish and ran in 13 unanswered tries, including a hat trick from loan star Oliver Greensmith and two tries apiece for Misi Taulapapa, Sam Doherty and Brad Foster.

Matty Beharrell kicked three out of eight conversions before Doherty took over the kicking duties to convert five from five.

The Dons’ fifth straight win saw them move above Workington Town in the table on points difference into second place behind unbeaten Barrow Raiders.

The match at Stadium Zip World in Colwyn Bay was played behind-closed-doors because of an increase in cases of the Delta Covid-19 variant in the local area.

Crusaders also announced before the game that two members of their squad had tested positive for Covid-19 but following consultations with the RFL and other bodies the fixture was able to go ahead as planned.

Taulapapa took just two minutes to cross the line and the scoreline was extended to 10-0 after eight minutes when Doherty went over in the corner.

Greensmith went over for his first try before Liam Johnson touched down after an excellent run.

Taulapapa added a fifth try just after the 20-minute mark, Ben Johnston was the next to go over after a jinking run and Sam Smeaton got his name on the trysheet just before the break.

Doherty added his second try shortly after the re-start and Brad Foster went over just before the hour mark as the one-way traffic continued.

There was no let-up from the visitors as Greensmith went over again before further tries from Alex Holdstock and Foster added to Crusaders’ woes.

Greensmith then barged over in the last minute to complete his hat trick.