Crusaders Colts scored seven second half tries as they eventually eased to their third successive win in the Conference National.

The Colts took just two minutes to take the lead through a Lee Williams try in their first set of the game.

But the onslaught didn’t happen as the sides played out an even first 20 minutes and it took a bobble in the goal area for Gateshead to equalise when Duncan Bain was first to the loose ball following a good chip. John Coutts kick gave Storm the lead.

Gary Williams was next to get the ball over the line but Ben Flower’s pass to him was forward.

However there was no problem with the next score when Aled James fed Ashley Bateman who found the gap to go over.

Storm regained their lead almost straight away when big Gareth Barron rushed through with Coutts converting, and they extended their lead from kick-off when Gavin Houston went over in the corner.

They also had a try disallowed when Michael Watton fed a forward pass to Duncan Bain.

Colts struck back a few minutes before half-time when Chris Vitalini broke through and ran 50 metres to score. Lloyd White converted.

The Welsh side’s superior fitness showed in the second half as they scored 36 points without reply. They regained the lead three minutes after the break when Ben Flower fed Lee Williams to run through and White converted again.

Lee Williams created the next try creating a gap for Gary Williams to run through and White easily added the extras.

And It was Gary Williams who was provider for Colts’ try number six for Elliot Kear in the 53rd minute while Greg Callow finished off a fine passing move for try number seven five minutes later.

Vitalini put Owen Lewis through on 65 minutes, Callow ran in his second on 76 while Mark Wool wrapped things up on the hooter. White converted the last two to bring up the 50.

CRUSADERS COLTS
1. Ashley Bateman
2. Elliot Kear
3. Owen Lewis
4. Lee Williams
5. Greg Callow
6. Lloyd White
7. Aled James
18. Ben Flower
9. Tom Burnell
10. Philippe Gardent
11. Geraint Davies
12. Gary Williams
13. Chris Vitalini
Subs
14. Gil Dudson
15. Lewis Mills
16. Mark Wool
19. Chris Holcombe
Tries: L.Williams (2, 43), Bateman (26), Vitalini (38), G.Williams (46), Kear (53), Callow (58, 76), Lewis (65), Wool (80)
Goals: White 5/10

GATESHEAD STORM
1. Robin Peers
2. Gavin Houston
19. Dylan Nash
4. Duncan Bain
5. Mick Dixon
6. Michael Watton
7. John Coutts
20. Gareth Barron
9. Chris Burnett
8. Andrew Barnes
9. Tom Crosby
10. Rhys Clarke
11. Neil Emmerson
Subs
15. Shaun Wood
16. Stephen Welton
17. Simon Fairbairn
18. Steven Thompson
Tries: Bain (20), Barron (30), Houston (33)
Goals: Coutts 2/3

Referee: Ian Curzon
Half-time: 14-16
Men of the Match: Colts – L.Williams Storm - Barron
Scoring sequence: 4-0, 4-6, 8-6, 8-12, 14-16, 20-16, 26-16, 30-16, 34-16, 38-16, 44-16, 50-16
Gamestar: Lee Williams who scored two tries and created another.
Gamebreaker: Elliot Kear’s try in the 53rd minute that gave the Colts a healthy 14-point gap.

article by Ian Golden
19 April 2008