Crusaders saw their play-off aspirations evaporate at the Galpharm when former Widnes forward Jordan James was sinbinned with eleven minutes remaining and the score in the expansion sides favour by 10-6.
During his spell off the field, Larne Patrick scored in support of Darrell Griffin. Clinton Schifcoske levelled matters with a penalty that came courtesy of the restart before a wayward pass from Wellar Hauraki couldn't be taken in by Vince Mellars. This allowed Danny Brough the chance to collect possession and offload for Leroy Cudjoe to finish from 30 metres. Cudjoe's 23rd try of the season couldn't have come at a more crucial time and Brett Hodgson goaled for the 18-12 win.
There was little to choose between these sides throughout and in the first half, Crusaders played the better percentage rugby. That half remained locked at 0-0 until just after the half hour when Brough tried to get a pass away and halfback Rhys Hanbury collected and set sail on a 40 metre intercept. Clinton Schifcoske goaled and then added a penalty to ensure that the visitors, cheered on by a vociferous Welsh crowd, led 8-0 at half-time.
Just four minutes into the second half, Huddersfield scored when smart play from Luke Robinson saw him run at the defence, find the hole and then dummy support to go over himself. It was a wonderful individual try, full of guile and trickery. Hodgson converted and Schifcoske put another penalty over before the frantic last ten minutes came after James was yellow carded for pulling the ball away from Cudjoe when he was trying to get the ball back in play for a twenty metre restart.
Some people may point to the validity of having a team in Super League from Wales, especially considering that just two of the seventeen players on show were British but there is no doubting the job that Brian Noble has done. He has now led three different teams into the Super League play-offs but whether he will remain at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham next year remains to be seen.
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