CELTIC CRUSADERS 38 WORKINGTON TOWN 10

By Ian Golden - http://www.sportingwales.com/artman/publish/article_8547.shtml

Messageboard Discussion Thread - http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s165.php?f=204&i=11843&t=11843&sid=165

Celtic Crusaders continued their push for third place with a fine 38-10 win over Workington Town, who in turn look certain to miss out on a play-off spot after their defeat. Town played a lot better than in their first match of the season when they beaten 50-18 by the Crusaders, but were still overwhelmed today by a much stronger Crusaders line-up

Crusaders took the lead after only two minutes. Jace Van Dijk’s grubber kick was missed by the Town defence and Luke Young picked up the loose ball to ground under the sticks. Van Dijk converted.

They almost had a second on seven minutes. Neil Wyatt’s charging run was stopped centimetres from the line and from the play-the-ball, Ryan Barton knocked on. From the scrum, Scott Nixon kicked a successful 40-20 and from the resulting scrum from that move, Town got a try back, Ryan Campbell setting up Tom Armstrong in the corner. Shaun Lunt was unlucky with the conversion, hitting the post.

Darren King and Liam Campbell were especially troublesome on the right side of the Town defence as Crusaders pressed for a further score. Both Wyatt and Carl de Chenu being sent into touch as their dynamic duo literally pushed for Town’s play-off hunt.

Crusaders finally got through in the centre of the field. Young released Wyatt who broke through sprinting 40 metres to the line. Van Dijk easily kicked the extras.

Town got a try back on 25 minutes. Liam Campbell turned from defender to playmaker and set up Shaun Lunt who scored then hit the post again with his conversion but this time it rebounded onto the right side and was successful.

But Crusaders responded by scoring straight away after being given a penalty on the Town 40-metre line. Van Dijk and Tony Duggan passing well to set up Damien Quinn.

Anthony Seibold charged over on the final play of the first half to make to the half-time score 20-10.

Town could have scored first in the second half as they were awarded a penalty in the second minute but John Tulmaualuga knocked on as he was close to the line. From the scrum, Tony Duggan raced 80 metres to get another Crusaders try. Van Dijk converted.

Seibold finished off a fine passing move for his second try four minutes later with Van Dijk converting again. They could have had another from kick-off but Duggan was called back after he received a forward pass.

Town pushed for a try back but were denied by the strong Crusaders defence. Dexter Miller came close but was pushed into touch by Quinn as he was diving for the line. Crusaders were denied a try at the other end after Carl de Chenu was judged to have been offside.

However Duggan broke through for his second, placed under the sticks on 68 minutes. Van Dijk’s kick made the final score 38-10.

Crusaders coach John Dixon said: “Defensively we were really good today - I think that was the outstanding mark of the game. Workington have got some good qualities and we held back all their challenges and we have to build on that for Gateshead in two weeks now.”

Workington coach Ged Stokes said: “We’ve got three more games to go now and we’ll work to win those games. I though we were a bit over-wrought today and Celtic deserved their win.”

CELTIC CRUSADERS
1. Tony Duggan
21. Carl de Chenu
3. Matt Hill
4. Damien Quinn
5. Grant Epton
6. Luke Young
7. Jace Van Dijk
8. Hywel Davies
9. Michael Ryan
10. Gareth Price
11. Ryan Barton
12. Chris Beasley
13. Neil Wyatt
Subs (all used):
14. Geraint Davies
15. Phil Cushion
16. Gareth Dean
17. Anthony Seibold
Tries: Young (2), Wyatt (20), Quinn (29), Seibold (39, 47), Duggan (43, 68)
Goals: Van Dijk 5/7

WORKINGTON TOWN
1 Andrew Beattie
2 Tom Armstrong
3 Ryan Campbell
4 Dexter Miller
5 Martyn Wilson
6 Scott Nixon
7 Liam Campbell
8 Dean Burgess
9 Shaun Lunt
10 Dean Vaughan
11 Darren King
12 Jamie Beaumont
13 Robert Lunt
Subs (all used):
14 James Robinson
15 Mark Cox
16 Alan McGuiness
17 John Tulmaualuga
Tries: Armstrong (9), S.Lunt (25)
Goals: S.Lunt 1/2

Attendance: 434

Penalty Count: 11-7

Men of the Match: Crusaders – Wyatt, Town – Shaun Lunt

Referee: Peter Brook (Nottingham)

Half-time: 20-10

Scoring Sequence: 6-0, 6-4, 12-4, 12-10, 16-10, 20-10, 26-10, 32-10, 38-10

Gamestar: Neil Wyatt who worked hard throughout the game and was rewarded with a try.

Gamebreaker: Tony Duggan’s try just after half-time opened up too large-a gap for Workington to close.

Weather: Warm and cloudy

Match Rating: 4/5

LHF Healthplan National League Two Table

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon

SPORTNETWORK SPECIALS

• Think you know your sport? Click here to try the Sportnetwork Prize Quizzes