photo by Ian Lovell

Celtic Crusaders restored Welsh pride as they held on to win a tense exciting top of the table clash 26-24 at Barrow Raiders on Sunday.

Following Wales’ humiliation in the union code the day before, the Principality needed a Crusaders’ win, and they got it despite the Welsh side failing to score a single second half point.

Raiders were unbeaten at home this season before kick-off and it was clear to see why as they were a match for the title favourites throughout the entire game.

Crusaders took the lead on four minutes after Jace Van Dijk successfully kicked a penalty from Raiders’ 30 metre line following a ripping offence but Barrow scored the first try of the game under three minutes later when Michael Basan offloaded to James Finch who weaved through to ground.

Raiders were denied a second try on 13 minutes when Khamal Ganley was penalised for offside while Phil Atkinson knocked on while close to scoring moments later.

However Crusaders regained the lead on 18 minutes when Darren Mapp released Tony Duggan who had an easy run to ground under the sticks. Van Dijk converted.

Duggan was then hero at the other end when he kicked the ball into touch to save a try when James Nixon was diving to ground.

From the restart, Andy Ellis was held up over the line but from the next tackle Pat Weisner set up Mike Whitehead to go over. Darren Holt converted.

But Crusaders restored the balance straight away. Neale Wyatt made the metres while Van Dijk and Quinn combined well to set up Duggan for his 30th try of the season. Van Dijk’s kick made it 14-10.

Duggan was the provider for the next try, setting up Toshack to run home on 32 minutes. Van Dijk converted again.

Raiders struck back with the Weisner-Whitehead combination striking again in a carbon copy of his first try. Holt kicked successfully.

But Crusaders went into half-time with a 10-point lead after Duggan set up Mark Dalle Cort who barged his way through. Van Dijk kicked successfully as the half-time hooter blew.

Barrow drew first blood in the second half on five minutes. Weisner set up Michael Basan to go over and Holt converted.

Raiders were close again near to the hour mark when the prolific Weisner set up Whitehead but the forward knocked on.

They pulled two more points back on 63 minutes after Holt kicked a penalty following a high tackle.

Hywel Davies had a try ruled out as the referee ruled he received the ball from a knock-on but that was the closest the Crusaders got to scoring in the second period.

Barrow pressed right up to the end and had many chances to get a winning try but Crusaders’ strong defensive line kept out ten minutes worth of pressure for a valuable three points.

Crusaders’ Operations Manager Gerald McCarthy was ecstatic.

“We’ve had four away games in four weeks, played the top two sides and won every game,” he said. “Special credit to all the players today but in my books, Neale Wyatt was the outstanding player as he has been throughout the last month. I felt Barrow were a far better side than Featherstone were last week, they gave us a great game today.”

Barrow Raiders: Khamal Ganley, James Finch, Michael Basan, Liam Harrison, James Nixon, Liam Finch, Darren Holt, Michael Smith, Andy Ellis, Dave Armitstead, Mike Whitehead, Phil Atkinson, Pat Weisner. Subs: Chris Archer, Paul Wilcock, Paul Raftery, Lee Dutton.

Tries: Finch (7), Whitehead (23, 36), Basan (44)
Goals: Holt 4/5

Celtic Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Paul Ballard, Rob Toshack, Mark Dalle Cort, Grant Epton, Damien Quinn, Jace Van Dijk, Terry Martin, Neil Budworth, Gareth Dean, Neale Wyatt, Darren Mapp, Chris Beasley. Subs: Luke Young, Jamie I’Anson, Phil Cushion, Hywel Davies.

Tries: Duggan (18, 25), Toshack (32), Dalle Cort (39)
Goals: Van Dijk 5/5

Attendance: 1,806
Half-time: 16-26

article by Ian Golden
5 August 2007