IF first impressions are anything to go by then North Wales Crusaders prop Owain Brown is relishing a full season of action at The Racecourse.
Over 750 fans were in attendance as Clive Griffiths’ side caused a stir by beating Rochdale Hornets 50-22 in a friendly clash on Sunday afternoon.
Owain and his brother Iwan are both from Wrexham, and the chance to run out at the oldest international venue in the country, was a dream come true.
“The hairs on the back of my neck stood up when we ran out,” said Owain. “When the drum gets going and the chants pick up it is a great atmosphere.”
And the occasion was not lost on any of Brown’s team mates, the prop explaining: “A few of the lads were a bit overwhelmed by the ovation we were given.
“I was walking back with one of the players after we had scored a try and he said ‘I feel like a hero’. I laughed, but some of them have been playing Under-20 rugby in front of 20 or 30 people.
“The noise created by that one stand was great and it was pleasing to have 750 in for our first match. I think the average for Championship One last season was 400 and we nearly doubled that for a friendly.
“Hopefully all of those that came to the match will return and we can get up to 1,000.”
Those who were in attendance will have certainly been impressed as Crusaders ran in 10 tries against a side expected to challenge for promotion from Championship One.
The ease in which Crusaders won the contest came as a surprise to many – including Brown and his team mates.
“I don’t think anyone expected it,” he confirmed. “We would have taken a 10-6 win and even a defeat would not have been the end of the world, but to put 50 points on a side like Rochdale was great.
“They had 11 first team players in their side so they had a pretty strong side out as well.”
And what did head coach Griffiths say after the comprehensive victory?
“He was absolutely made up,” said Brown. “He said before the game that it was our first home game and first impressions count for a lot.”
Such is the nature of sport that Crusaders are now being tipped for promotion from Championship One.
However, Brown and his team mates are refusing to get carried away, the 27-year-old adding: “Until we play a team which we know is at full strength in a competitive game then we will not be getting ahead of ourselves.
“We will work game by game for now.
“Our first four league games will give us a good indication of how we will do.”
Meanwhile, Griffiths knows that improvements need to be made, but is encouraged by his side’s performances to date.
“It wasn’t just the victory but the manner of the victory as well and the brand of rugby league that we had on display,” he said.
“Some of the tries were top drawer, as good as you’ll see anywhere.
“Once we iron out a few things in the defensive department – we gave them three gift tries from kicks – we’ll be even stronger and more difficult to beat.
“When we need to kill the game, we’ll kill the game. Our philosophy will be to entertain and play a brand of rugby that everyone wants to come here and watch and that the players want to play as well.
“The work in progress signs are still up, no doubt about that, it was encouraging signs and a sizeable crowd which we’re all very happy with I’m sure.”
Crusaders entertain Championship side Halifax in their second home friendly on Sunday, (2.30pm).
- Former Warrington and Wales forward Mike Nicholas has been inducted into the Rugby Football League’s roll of honour for his part in the development of Welsh rugby league over five decades.
The roll of honour was introduced in 2003 to recognise individuals who have given outstanding service to the game as players and/or administrators and volunteers.
Ray Unsworth, Ron England, Jackie Reid MBE and Andrew Cudbertson were also inducted at a lunch in Bradford.