MATT REID has praised a “real good buzz” that surrounds a youthful North Wales Crusaders squad.

Carl Forster’s side are battling to reach this season’s League One play-offs, although their hopes were hit by Sunday’s 18-10 loss away to Midlands Hurricanes.

Reid, who has grabbed tries in Crusaders’ last two matches since returning to action from injury, says there’s a good squad in place this season.

He told CruCast: “It’s a really good, tight-knit group of lads.

“I think we’ve come together really quickly this year because, as always, we’ve got quite a few new faces in.

“But because, obviously, we’ve got that continuity from last year as well, they’ve brought in a new energy.

“We’re quite a young side. I think there’s only sort of five of us there 30-plus and apart from maybe one or two others, everyone else is under 25.

“So, it’s a real sort of youthful team and there’s a real good buzz about the place.”

Crusaders are back at home this Saturday versus title-chasing Oldham.

Oldham’s unbeaten start to the season was ended by their loss to Keighley Cougars over the weekend.