NEWS | 2023 season in focus: North Wales Crusaders

In a series of opposition previews, we will be looking at the teams the Dons will be coming up against in the 2023 campaign.

Next up is North Wales Crusaders.

Dates for your diary

The Dons will host their Welsh counterparts in their second home game of the 2023 season at the Eco-Power Stadium on Sunday March 19 before heading to Colwyn Bay for the return fixture at the Zip World Stadium on Sunday August 6.

Results in 2022

The Crusaders earned a 46-0 victory at the Eco-Power Stadium in May during round seven of Betfred League One fixtures before the Dons made amends and won the return fixture in round 12. The visitors won 26-18 thanks to tries from Ben Johnston, Dave Petersen, Robbie Storey and Tom Halliday as well as five goals from Ben Howe.

The Dons would also be victorious a third meeting between the two sides as they won the qualifying play-off in Colwyn Bay 26-12. 

2022 campaign

The Crusaders got off to a flying start in 2022 as they won all eight of their opening fixtures, including the 46-0 against the Dons, and didn’t lose until the month of June where they fell to a 56-12 defeat against eventual league champions Keighley Cougars.

The Welsh side would go on to win seven of their remaining 11 fixtures to end the season with 15 wins, 5 losses and 30 points to finish in third place, one place above the Dons on points difference.

Head coach

North Wales Crusaders have appointed Carl Forster as player-coach for the 2023 League 1 season after the 30-year-old made the switch from Betfred Championship outfit Barrow Raiders.

Forster will head his first season with the club in 2023 having taken over for Anthony Murray, who stepped down at the end of 2022.

Season tickets for 2023 are still available with adults just £60, that's just £6.66 per game. A child's (aged 17 and under) season ticket is priced at just £5 and comes with the Dons passport giving youngsters the opportunity to receive free gifts throughout the season.

To find out more about 2023 season tickets please CLICK HERE or to purchase your season ticket please CLICK HERE.

Don't forget you can save £10 on the cost of your season ticket by purchasing a Purple Vouchers book, the book also contains hundred's of other offers that can save you over £2,500 on eating out, eating in, leisure time and retail. To purchase a Purple Vouchers book for just £20 please CLICK HERE