Crusaders took less than two minutes to take the lead after Paul Morgan laid the ball off to Geraint Davies, Damien Quinn kicking the conversion.

Runs from David Simm and Jace Van Dijk run through the centre were both cut short metres from the line, before Skolars fought back with a persistent barrage of attacking play.

Charlie Oyebade made some healthy runs down the wing while Frank Reid made an ambitious grubber kick that came to nothing.

However it was Crusaders who increased their lead in the 22nd minute after Luke Young set up Damien Quinn to score, converting his own try.

Skipper Michael Ryan, making his debut after missing last week's win at Hemel through injury, slid over for Crusaders' third try on the half hour.

Quinn converted again to make the score 18-0.

Skolars missed an excellent chance to get back in the game just before half-time but the conditions took their toll as Jermaine Coleman knocked on a slippery ball just under the sticks.

Crusaders increased their lead on 46 minutes.

Paul Morgan made a 30-metre run down the left wing and set up Tony Duggan who easily slid in.

Quinn missed the kick.

Debutant Lenny Woodard powered his way through the Skolars defence, taking three defenders with him, to increase Crusaders lead on 53 minutes.

Quinn's successful conversion made the score 28-0.

Alex Walker thought he'd got one back for the Skolars on 56 minutes but was held up as he crossed the line.

However, from the restart Matt Pitman did manage to break through the Crusaders defence to get a try back.

Ben Joyce converted to bring the score back to 28-6.

Crusaders regained their advantage on 65 minutes after Van Dijk's grubber kick set up a Dean Fitzgerald try before Michael Ryan wrapped up the scoring with a try under the sticks on 77 minutes.

Quinn converted both to make the final score 40-6 to the Crusaders.

In the other Northern Rail Cup group one match, St Albans Centurions won a low-scoring game at Pennine Way, beating Hemel Hempstead Stags 4-2.

The Crusaders face St Albans in their third successive away match next week.

Crusaders' coach John Dixon was pleased at the Crusaders performance commenting:

"We were pretty good out there. We maintained our defensive intensity from last week and we were a little better with the ball. Hopefully we will continue to improve like this as the weeks go on."

Skolars: Jermaine Coleman, Charlie Oyebade, Ashley Tozer, Tane Taitoko, Corey Simms, Nathan Meischke, Josh Garden, Rubert Jonker, Alex Walker, Bobby Wallis, Mike Castle, Mat Pitman, Ben Joyce.
Subs (all used): Frank Reid, Chris Shears, Daniel Palmer, Richard Catalen

Tries: Pitman (56)

Goals: Joyce 1/1

Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Carl de Chenu, Geraint Davies, Dean Fitzgerald, Paul Morgan, Luke Young, Jace Van Dijk, Ryan Barton, Michael Ryan (capt), Hywel Davies, Phil Cushion, Damien Quinn, David Simm.
Subs (all used): Carle Ellis, Dean Scully, Lenny Woodard, Scott O'Kelly.

Tries: Davies (2), Quinn (22), Ryan (30, 77), Duggan (46), Woodard (53), Fitzgerald (65)

Goals: Quinn 6/7

Attendance: 347

Referee: Chris Dean (Selby)