Crusaders Colts maintained their sensational start to the campaign with an overwhelming victory at Hemel.

Led by outstanding hooker Tom Burnell, who posted two tries and 11 goals for a 30 point haul, the Welshmen had too much firepower for an inexperienced Stags outfit, whose frustration clearly got the better of them in the second half.

Having been comprehensively outplayed as the visitors romped to a 34-0 interval lead, Hemel had Barry John Swindells sin binned twice and then sent off along with Peter Clarke and Blake Kirby who were also dismissed in what turned out to be a fiery encounter.

Colts showed their expansive intentions from the off, wing Greg Callow - who was also later sin binned in a 58th minute mêlée - scoring twice inside four minutes early on.

Mark Wool followed that and Elliott Kear on the right flank scored the first of his hat trick in the 24th minute.

In the run up to half time, Burnell claimed his first touchdown and just after the break, Swindells had his first rest for a swinging arm.

Burnell, and then from the next set, Lee Williams extended the Crusaders' lead and just before the hour, Callow and Swindells saw yellow and Clarke red for running in.

Kear immediately made the extra numbers tell on the overlap and Barrie Phillips crossed before Lee Williams and Chris Vitalini did likewise, again back to back.

Caine Wynyard scored Hemel's sole touchdown in the 70th minute but within a minute of each other Swindells and Kirby were both marched for high tackles.

Kear again and Gary Williams with consecutive touchdowns completed the 13 try rout which left Colts coach Dan Clements highly satisfied.

"Skipper for the first time Geraint Davies led from the front for us throughout" he said. "It's great to see so many young blokes enjoying their rugby league."

GAME STAR - Tom Burnell will soon be knocking on the Crusaders first team door, another terrific display which yielded 30 points for the rake.

GAME BREAKER - Mark Wool's 14th minute try - Celtic's third - was already a bridge too far for the Stags.

STAGS
1 Marc Coulson
2 Anthony Strelitz
3 B J Swindells
4 Matt Cannon
5 Stuart McIntyre
6 Callum Irving
7 Blake Kirby
8 Shaun Wall
9 Ernie Evans
10 James Keely
11 Ian Grimes
12 Caine Wynyard
13 Andy Curtain
Subs (all used)
14 Peter Clarke
15 Ashley Fyson
16 Ryan Backhouse
17 Jack Moon
Try: Wynyard (70)
Goal: Swindells

CRUSADERS
1 Ashley Griffiths
2 Elliot Kear
3 Gary Williams
4 Lee Williams
5 Greg Callow
6 Tom Burnell
7 Lloyd White
8 Geraint Davies
9 Oliver Hughes
10 Gil Dudson
11 Lewis Fox
12 Mark Wool
13 Chris Vitalini
Subs (all used)
14 Lewis Mills
15 Gareth Moore
16 Barrie Phillips
17 Chris Holcombe
Tries: Callow (7, 11), Wool (14), Kear (28, 59, 77), Burnell (36, 48), L. Williams (50, 64), Phillips (62), Vitalini (66), G. Williams (79)
Goals: Burnell 11

Men of the match:
STAGS - Ernie Evans
CRUSADERS - Tom Burnell
Half time: 34-0
Referee: Steve Davis

article by Phil Caplan
27 April 2008