North Wales Crusaders stormed to their first victory in over a month with an emphatic 50-0 demolition of Hemel Stags at the Pennine Way Stadium.

Anthony Murray’s side turned in a commanding display as they racked up a half-century of points in Hertfordshire, ending their four-game losing streak in League 1.

The visitors ran riot in the second half to record a scoreline that in no way flattered them.

Dominant from the outset, the Cru were ahead inside three minutes when Ryan Smith’s pass put Brad Walker through a gap in the home defence to score the opener.

Walker was unable to convert his own try from a wide position, but the Cru quickly built on their 4-0 winning margin.Their second try arrived on 12 minutes from a Stags handling error which yielded strong field position to the Cru before Lewis Fairhurst made some solid metres down the right to allow Gavin Conroy to collect the ball from dummy half to touch down.

Walker’s subsequent conversion attempt was missed again as the loose forward sliced his effort wide of the uprights.

The lead was extended further seven minutes before the interval when Kenny Baker stripped the ball from a Stags player and, after two solid drives, freed up the on-running Joe Bate to score. Walker slotted his third attempt with ease, putting the visitors 14-0 ahead at half-time.

A galvanised Cru side emerged for the second half as Conroy touched down his side’s fourth try on 48 minutes, with Walker converting to make it 20-0 Conroy turned provider four minutes later when he unselfishly played in Smith after he had cut inside from the wing, with Walker converting once more.

Hooker Aaron Moore got in on the act on the hour mark, as he collected the ball at acting half and scooted between two defenders for another converted score.

The Cru attacks were relentless, with Earl Hurst made it 38-0 before Fairhurst followed suit for his second of the contest.

Baker added the gloss in the final minute, latching onto Karl Ashall’s ball for try number nine.

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