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BACKS<br />
The midfield trio of Tommy Johnson, Jack<br />
Hansen and Ryan Smith are North Wales’<br />
biggest threat. <strong>All</strong> three are good ballplayers<br />
and are constantly looking to provide<br />
opportunities for the men out wide. These<br />
include Earl Hurst and former <strong>All</strong> Gold Callum<br />
Mulkeen in the centres, and ex-Rochdale<br />
wingers Corey Lee and Dale Bloomfield. Back<br />
Rower Alex Thompson can also put in a shift in<br />
the centres if needed, making just as much of<br />
an impact as he does in the forwards.<br />
FORWARDS<br />
The North Wales forward pack can certainly<br />
make and impact, giving the side plenty of<br />
size and power. Alex Davidson is yet another<br />
familiar face to <strong>All</strong> <strong>Golds</strong> fans, after spending<br />
two years at the Prince of Wales. He and<br />
Jonny Walker form a formidable front row<br />
pairing, while Lee Hudson and James Dandy<br />
interchange at dummy half. Ex-Widnes second<br />
rower Jack Houghton has made a huge impact<br />
since arriving at the club in November, scoring<br />
three tries in eight appearances, and earning a<br />
consistent starting spot.<br />
KEY MAN<br />
goal kickers in the competition. He put in an<br />
inspired performance in the club’s last win over<br />
Newcastle, and a repeat of that could cause<br />
some problems for the <strong>All</strong> <strong>Golds</strong> in today’s<br />
game.<br />
ONE TO WATCH<br />
Left centre Earl Hurst is a real athlete out<br />
wide, boasting size and speed that make him<br />
a real handful for defenders. He is almost like<br />
a forward in the way he is built, with a strong<br />
upper body that allows him to drive forward<br />
and make yards in all areas of the field, while<br />
his burst of pace makes him a great threat. He<br />
caused problems for the <strong>All</strong> <strong>Golds</strong> defence<br />
when the two teams last met in the Challenge<br />
Cup in February, even crossing for a try. And<br />
with proven try scorer Dale Bloomfield on his<br />
outside, <strong>Crusaders</strong>’ left flank pose a real threat<br />
in attack.<br />
13<br />
F o r m e r<br />
St Helens<br />
Academy<br />
fullback Tommy<br />
Johnson has<br />
become part of<br />
the furniture at<br />
the Racecourse<br />
Ground, after<br />
joining in their<br />
inaugural<br />
League 1 season in 2012. In just four years he<br />
has set the club record for appearances, and<br />
is just short of reaching 1,000 points for the<br />
<strong>Crusaders</strong>. As far as reliable fullbacks go, you<br />
can’t look too far past Johnson in League 1,<br />
additionally he is undoubtedly one of the best<br />
STATS<br />
HIGHEST SCORE:<br />
82-6 v West Hull, 6/4/2013<br />
HIGHEST SCORE AGAINST:<br />
4-98 v Wigan, 15/4/2012<br />
MOST APPEARANCES:<br />
127 – Tommy Johnson 2012-present<br />
HIGHEST POINT SCORER:<br />
978 – Tommy Johnson 2012-present<br />
HIGHEST TRY SCORER:<br />
Rob Massam 2012-2016<br />
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