North Wales Crusaders picked up their 16th win in the Welsh derby, running riot in the first-half to beat West Wales Raiders 72-4 and make it three victories in a row.

After a long coach journey for the Raiders, North Wales made the most of any heavy legs in the West Wales squad as they played some delightful rugby league to average more than a point a minute in the first-half.

Crusaders took the lead when Warren Thompson broke through the line, handed the ball on to Pat Ah Van and he offloaded out of the tackle for Matty Race to cross on his debut.

Ah Van’s break down the right then opened up space for Ben Morris to score, before Rob Massam dived over in the left corner.

Despite West Wales shutting out North Wales for the next ten minutes, the hosts added another when Morris made a half break and offloaded for Ah Van to get in on the act.

The fifth came through Thompson, who profited from a lovely Chris Barratt offload near the line to crash over.

Massam then collected Gav Rodden’s smart grubber kick to bag his second, before Matt Reid’s break down the left flank set up Jordy Gibson.

Crusaders added another on the half-time hooter as Rodden hit a great line to speed down the left, cutting inside and sprinting clear of the West Wales defence to get on the scoresheet.

It didn’t take North Wales long to extend their advantage after the break, with Callum Hazzard breaking through the line and dummying his way past the fullback.

Cameron Berry then scooted over from acting half, before Morris and Ah Van combined to put Race in for his second of the afternoon.

A delightful right to left shift saw Matt Reid dot the ball down in the left corner for North Wales’ 12th effort.

And Reid completed Crusaders’ scoring as he crossed in the same corner after Karl Ashall had opted to go down the short side.

Rowland Kaye squeezed his way over for West Wales late on.