photo by Mark Harris

Fans will be treated to a double header of rugby league action at the Brewery Field on Saturday which culminates in Celtic Crusaders facing Co-operative National League Two leaders Featherstone Rovers in a top of the table clash at 6pm.

But before these rivals battle out a six-pointer, a Welsh XIII take on the Royal Navy at 3.30pm. The Welsh side has been picked from the best of the Conference sides but also includes Geraint Davies, Lee Jones, Lee Williams, Owen Lewis and Tom Burnell, all of whom are on the Crusaders’ books.

Dixon said: “We have a group of development players who have been working very hard within our senior squad and this game gives them the chance to demonstrate the progress they have made. Playing beside them is a selected group of young players from the Conference League. The combination of the two groups puts on display a sample of the best young Rugby League talent in South Wales. This Saturday’s Welsh XIII team is the forerunner to season 2008, when it is our club’s plan to have an Academy side in place and playing in regular fixtures.”

The Royal Navy side are coached by former Wales A Coach Wayne O’Kell who was awarded an MBE last year for his services to rugby league.

Welsh XIII (probable):
1. James Thatcher (Cardiff Demons)
2. Trevor James (Blackwood Bulldogs)
3. Lee Williams (Celtic Crusaders/Valley Cougars)
4. Gareth Murphy (West Wales Sharks)
5. Elliot Kear (Cardiff Demons)
6. Owen Lewis (Celtic Crusaders/Valley Cougars)
7. Lee Jones (Celtic Crusaders)
8. Tom Burnell (Celtic Crusaders/Cardiff Demons)
9. Rhys Andrews (NPT Steelers)
10. Chris Vitalini (Celtic Crusaders/ Newport Titans)
11. Geraint Davies (Celtic Crusaders)
12. Chris Holcombe (Cardiff Demons)
13. Dan Tucker (Blackwood Bulldogs)
14. Nicky Tucker (Blackwood Bulldogs)
15. Greg Callow (Newport Titans)
16. Lewis Fox (Newport Titans)
17. David James (Bridgend Blue Bulls)
Coach: Kevin Ellis
Team Manager: Dave McNally
Physio: Chris Blake

ROYAL NAVY
1. Kevin Botwood
2. Lee Rossiter
3. James Wagstaffe              
4. Dane Smallbone
5. Marc Warren
6. Chris Findley
7. Scott Partis
8. Lewis Taylor
9. Steve Lockton
10. Jamie Goss
11. Tom McKenna
12. Gareth Sharpe
13. Danny Johnson
14. Chris Thomson
15. Barry Sloan
16. Pete Howe
17. Mark Robinson
Coach: Wayne O’Kell
Team Manager: Jason Steele
Physio: Joyce Evans

Referee: Ritchie Rees

article by Ian Golden
31 May 2007