However, what would Piper know about landing a Warrior in strong crosswinds?
From what you've written, not very much it would seem.
Why fly at higher speed in an unfamiliar configuration when the crosswind is 'strong' - whatever that might mean.
I agree with Whopity; I once went to Kidlington to collect another aircraft planning to land on the westerly runway. When we got there, they told us that it was waterlogged (no mention of that when we rang beforehand....), so we'd have to use the southerly. There was a 25-30 kt surface wind, but the aircraft was easy enough to fly in those conditions with full flap and 65KIAS approach speed.