photo by Ian Lovell

Celtic Crusaders were made to work hard for their Northern Rail Cup win at London Skolars on Sunday.

The Crusaders top the group after their 26-10 victory following Sheffield Eagles’ defeat of Doncaster on Friday night. The Crusaders now face the Eagles in their first home match of the season at the Brewery Field on Saturday.

“Every time we come to the Skolars, they show improvement,” said Crusaders coach John Dixon. “They’re becoming more and more competitive and making progress down here.

“The good thing about this from us is we’ve come here and won, the scoreline was comfortable and we worked hard for the victory.”

Crusaders took the lead on five minutes. Following a penalty, Damien Quinn slipped the ball to Jordan James who barged his way over. Jace Van Dijk converted.

Skolars thought they had a try back eight minutes later through Paul Thorman, but the half-back had received a forward pass from Jermaine Coleman before touching down.

The Welsh side took advantage of their good fortune and extended their lead on the 20 minute mark after Luke Dyer ran through. Van Dijk’s second successful kick put the score on 12-0.

Skolars missed another chance to hit back. Thorman and Michael Chan linked up well but Chan’s pass went behind debutant Tony Clubb who was in space on the wing.

They eventually got over the line on 35 minutes though after a excellent set of

But Crusaders restored the balance just before the interval when Luke Dyer did well to stay out of touch when running down the wing, slipping the ball to Josh Hannay who ran over.

They extended their lead nine minutes after the interval when Mark Dalle Cort set up Damien Quinn, who was unusually playing at full-back, to score.

Skolars hit back again in the 53rd minute. Thorman was brilliantly stopped in his tracks by Dyer but from the next play, Glenn Osborn set up Jamie Nowland who weaved his way through. Thorman converted.

Josh Hannay extended Crusaders’ lead yet again on 65 minutes, brilliantly beating half of the Skolars back-line to ground. Damien Quinn’s conversion put the final score on 26-10 to deny the Skolars a bonus point.

LONDON SKOLARS:
Jermaine Coleman, Corey Simms, Namila Davui, Michael Davai, Michael Chan, Tony Clubb, Paul Thorman, Jamie Nowland, Wayne Kerr, Gareth Honor, Glenn Osborn, Dwayne Barker, Dave Ellison, Travis Ribot. Subs: Richard Louw, Steve Gibbons, Jim Doyle, Liam Daly.

Tries: Coleman (35), Nowland (53)
Goals: Thorman 1/2

CELTIC CRUSADERS:
Damien Quinn, Paul Ballard, Josh Hannay, Mark Dalle Cort, Luke Dyer, Ian Webster, Jace Van Dijk, Jamie I’Anson, Tom Burnell, Aaron Summers, Ben Flower, Jordan James, Chris Beasley. Subs: Chris Vitalini, Darren Mapp, Gareth Dean, Philippe Gardent.

Tries: James (5), Dyer (20), Hannay (38, 65), Quinn (49)
Goals: Van Dijk 2/4, Quinn 1/1

Referee: Charlie Neilson (Huddersfield)
Half-time: 4-16

article by Ian Golden
10 February 2008