In a tough game at the Brewery Field on Saturday, Celtic Crusaders put in a stunning second half performance, overcoming Workington Town 26-12 and giving them a boost for when they take on York City Knights at the same ground next Saturday.

The Crusaders moved up to third place in the table leaping above their Cumbrian rivals. They also denied Workington a bonus point, something Crusaders’ coach John Dixon believes may be crucial come the end of the season.

“The fact the final margin was 14 points today was significant,” said Dixon. “They beat us by 12 up there and we came away with a bonus point. We beat them by 14 today and they don’t earn a point. That could be important.”

A Carl Forber penalty following a high tackle gave Workington an early lead.

Damien Quinn had the chance to level the scores 12 minutes later after a penalty was given for an off-side offence but his effort swept wide.

They squandered another chance minutes later when Jace Van Dijk’s kick aimed for Tony Duggan was picked up by Forber.

Paul Ballard was set up by Mark Dalle Cort for a potential score but was well marked and eventually stopped by Franco Kmet – playing his second game in a week after turning out for Italy against BARLA under-23s on Wednesday.

Kmet was almost a hero at the other end moments later as he looked to have grounded for Town’s opening try but was judged to have been offside.

Crusaders were still finding it hard to get points on the board. Ballard was released by Dalle Cort again but with little support, he was once again stopped in his tracks, while Phil Cushion fumbled after being set up by Quinn near to the sticks.

Town also missed a chance to extend the lead following a forward pass.

A high tackle by Mark Cox on Neil Budworth finally led to the first try of the match when Josh Cale forced himself over following the penalty. Quinn’s goal levered the utility back to 200 points for the season and gave the Welsh a slender 6-2 lead at the interval.

Town had an early second half chance to score but Carl Forber’s chip and run was picked up by Duggan.

But they scored from the next play when Dexter Miller was given too much space to pick up a grubber and ground. Forber missed an easy chance to give Town the lead as his kick went wide.

Forber knocked on after a poor pass from Gary Purdham and Crusaders took full advantage with Ballard scoring from their next set.

Crusaders kept attacking. Stephen Dawes saved Town by kicking the ball away following good work from Duggan, Van Dijk and Rob Toshack.

But from the goal-line drop out, Crusaders extended their lead when Damien Quinn ran in under the sticks and converted his own try to create a 10-point cushion.

Duggan followed that up with an excellent individual effort straight from kick-off but Town struck back straight away after Shaun Lunt fed Adam Sidlow to score. Forber converted.

And following some further Workington pressure, Crusaders regained their advantage after Dalle Cort set up Ballard to run over for his second. Quinn converted to deny Workington a bonus point.

Duggan could have sealed things from kick-off but fumbled a Neale Wyatt pass.

Dawes had a last gasp attempt to secure Town a point but was pushed out by Toshack and Van Dijk.

Man of the match Paul Ballard said: “It was a great performance by the boys, let’s hope we can kick on from here next week. We’ve got York here in Bridgend next week and if we come out here with the same attitude, we should come away with another win.”

John Dixon added: “To come out of half-time being just 6-2 up, the crucial thing was to be composed and to maintain our discipline. They scored straight away at the start of the second half which wasn’t the best start for us, but I’m very pleased with the senior players this week – they stood up and led the team well.”

CELTIC CRUSADERS
1. Tony Duggan
2. Anthony Blackwood
3. Rob Toshack
4. Mark Dalle Cort
5. Paul Ballard
6. Damien Quinn
7. Jace Van Dijk
8. Josh Cale
9. Neil Budworth
10. Gareth Dean
11. Chris Beasley
12. Darren Mapp
13. Neale Wyatt

Subs (all used):
14. Grant Epton
15. Terry Martin
16. Hywel Davies
17. Phil Cushion

Tries: Cale (34), Ballard (52, 71), Quinn (56), Duggan (58)
Goals: Quinn 3/6

WORKINGTON TOWN
1. Rob Lunt
2. Stephen Dawes
3. Andrew Beattie
4. Neil Frazer
5. Martyn Wilson
6. Carl Forber
7. Martin Keavney
8. Dean Vaughan
9. Shaun Lunt
10. Adam Sidlow
11. Jamie Beaumont
12. Dexter Miller
13. Gary Purdham

Subs (all used):
14. Franco Kmet
15. Mark Cox
16. Matthew Tunstall
17. Taani Lavulavu

Tries: Miller (45), Sidlow (62)
Goals: Forber 2/3

Gamebreaker: Tony Duggan’s try on 58 minutes that gave Crusaders a 14-point lead.

Gamestar: A tough choice between Dalle Cort and Ballard but the Crusaders’ winger just about clinches it thanks to his brace of tries.

Half-time: 6-2
Attendance: 945
Men of the Match: Crusaders – Ballard, Town - Kmet
Penalty Count: 8-5
Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)

article by Ian Golden
23 June 2007