For the second week running the Centurions team showed nine changes in personnel with three players switching positions. This lack of continuity showed as an experienced Ryton side scored three tries in the first ten minutes. The most disappointing aspect was that all three were scored following errors made by the visitors from promising attacking positions.

This slow start was matched by a poor final ten minutes when a further three tries were conceded as injuries led to the loss of influential forwards Alex Birkenshaw, Robbie Binks and Rob Earnshaw. Battered and bruised scrum-half Andy Harvey bravely stayed on limping until the end to avoid going down to thirteen men.

In between these two brief spells an excellent game of rugby broke out with both sets of forwards giving their all and allowing the two talented back divisions to sparkle.

A strong tackle by Ethan McLeod near half-way allowed Rory Dixon to scoop up the ball, weave through a number of defenders and race away to score. Ryton hit back with a try following a line-out catch and drive.

Good scavenging work Jonny Pape and Jason Armstrong in midfield gave Jake Sloan several options. A misplaced kick surprised both teams and it was the alert Dixon who burst through to touch down under the posts.

Indiscipline allowed Ryton to place a penalty kick into the corner and they took full advantage to drive over to leave the half-time score 31-12.

After the break props Ed Weir and Michael Ramsay committed defenders allowing some intricate inter-passing between Jansen, Liam Pitt and Josh Scollick that freed up a rampant Dixon to race over unopposed.

An immediate response by the Crusaders saw them get a third try from a line-out drive and, from the kick-off, run in another from long range. They might have scored again but for an outstanding catch near his own line by Callum Foxcoft who moved upfield with assistance from Shaun Taylor to relief the danger.

The line-out link between Robbie Binks and James Sample had worked really well all game and led to a final hurrah as the ball reached Jansen. A switch move inside to Dixon saw the centre side-step his way through for his fourth try. Pitt had converted three times to give a score of 26-26 in this middle hour of the game!

Unfortunately, this is like "football manager speak" to cover up deficiencies. The Centurions must try to be better organised so they start well and have a full bench of replacements to cover injuries. Otherwise, when they come up against strong teams like Ryton, they will be on the wrong side of a heavy defeat.