photo by Ian Lovell

Just Gateshead Thunder and Oldham Roughyeds lie in Celtic Crusaders’ way to the Co-operative National League Two Championship. The Crusaders, who face Gateshead at the Brewery Field next Sunday, beat a valiant Keighley Cougars 34-12 in Bridgend on Saturday night.

The Crusaders fielded what looked like an experimental line-up with a few positional changes from the team that put 84 points on Hunslet the week before. Damien Quinn was moved to loose forward making way for Josh Hannay, playing out of position at loose forward while Chris Beasley started as prop.

Keighley played an admiral game, fighting back in the second half, but the Crusaders had already wrapped things up in the first 45 minutes building a 24-point lead that was too much for the young side that was well led by former Welsh international Barry Eaton.

Both sides had chances in the first five minutes, Neale Wyatt mishandled while Crusaders were on the offensive while Eaton’s grubber kick near to the line was picked up by Anthony Blackwood.

Crusaders took the lead on eight minutes after new signing Josh Hannay made a dream start to his Crusaders career by throwing a dummy and running in for a try under the sticks. Jace Van Dijk added the extras.

Tony Duggan added another straight from kick-off as he ran 50 metres through the defence like butter while they increased the lead to 18-0 in as many minutes when Mark Dalle Cort broke through. Van Dijk converted both.

Anthony Blackwood, making a welcome return, scored in the corner five minutes later.

But Cougars struck back straight away as substitute Tom Palmer grounded after being slipped the ball well by James Feather.

Crusaders had a try ruled out before half-time when Hannay’s pass to Aurélien Cologni was forward leaving the Welsh side 22-4 up at the interval.

Neale Wyatt ran through for Crusaders’ fifth try three minutes into the second half which Van Dijk duly converted.

But Keighley struck back following a period of good pressure from the Yorkshire side when Simon Bissell completed a good move by scoring in the corner.

Crusaders’ lost their way a little after Darren Mapp was sinbinned for a late challenge on Eaton and Cougars took advantage of the extra man straight away as Richard Knight scored their third try, but he hit the post with his goal attempt.

Both sides missed an opportunity to increase their lead when a Hannay pass again went forward while Keighley had a try denied when Duggan beat his opposite number Gavin Duffy to the ball in a chase following a grubber.

But Duggan wrapped things up in the final minute by running in for his second of the game which Van Dijk converted.

Crusaders’ skipper Jace Van Dijk was pleased with the win but believed that there were things his side could have improved on.

“I thought we were a little but rusty in some areas,” he said. “Keighley gave us a fairly tough game and we’ve got a few things to work on for next Sunday’s game at the Brewery Field against Gateshead.”

Coach John Dixon added: “I thought Keighley tried really well today and played as well as I’ve seen them play so to come away with a scoreline like that is pretty fair for us. I’m happy with the outcome because it was really important for us to push on and win these games.”

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

Subs:
14. Aurélien Cologni
15. Phil Cushion
16. Josh Cale
17. Hywel Davies

Tries: Hannay (8), Duggan (11, 79), Dalle Cort (18), Blackwood (23), Wyatt (43)
Goals: Van Dijk 5/6

Sin-bin: Darren Mapp (56)

KEIGHLEY COUGARS
1. Gavin Duffy
2. Sam Gardner
3. Mike Hastings
4. Ollie Pursglove
5. Alex Brown
6. Craig Fawcett
7. Barry Eaton
8. Simon Bissell
9. James Feather
10. Brendon Rawlins
11. Wayne Sutcliffe
12. Richard Knight
13. Chris Redfearn

Subs:
14. Matt Foster
15. Greg Nicholson
16. Gareth English
17. Tom Palmer
Tries: Palmer (27), Bissell (54), Knight (58)
Goals: Knight 0/3

Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)
Attendance: 801
Half-time: 22-4
Penalties: 3-6

Men of the Match: Crusaders – Tony Duggan, Cougars – Barry Eaton

Scoring Sequence: 6-0, 12-0, 18-0, 22-0, 22-4, 28-4, 28-8, 28-12

Gamestar: Close between Dalle Cort, Wyatt and Toshack but Tony Duggan, who scored two more tries to make it 35 for the season did yet another sterling job at fullback.

Gamebreaker: Crusaders’ fifth try on 45 minutes gave them a four-try cushion which was enough to secure three points.

article by Ian Golden
18 August 2007