SHEFFIELD EAGLES 26 CELTIC CRUSADERS 16

By Ian Golden - http://www.sportingwales.com/artman/publish/article_8607.shtml

Messageboard Discussion Thread - http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s165.php?f=204&i=11947&t=11947&sid=165

Celtic Crusaders must beat either Featherstone Rovers or Swinton Lions at the Brewery Field on Sunday 1st October to get to the LHF National League Two Play-off Final after losing 26-16 to Sheffield Eagles at the Don Valley Stadium on Friday night. Rovers and Lions face each other on Sunday at Rovers’ ground.

The Crusaders fought well in the first half and were unfortunate not to be in the lead at the interval but Sheffield proved why they are favourites to win the play-offs as they put in an outstanding second half performance to qualify for the Final in Warrington on October 8th.

Crusaders Operations Manager Gerald McCarthy said: “Naturally I’m disappointed but we still have a chance to qualify for the final by beating Featherstone or Swinton at the Brewery Field next week. We need all Crusaders fans to turn out for that one. We’ve beaten both Swinton and Featherstone already this season and with your support, we can beat them again. Our season isn’t over by any means.”

Crusaders led the early attacking. A hopeful Gareth Dean kick on the fifth tackle came to nothing and a knock-on gave the Eagles possession on the Crusaders’ 20-metre line. They almost scored from it - Martin Ostler dived on Andy Smith’s grubber but failed to make downward pressure.

But Eagles took the lead on eight minutes when Mitch Stringer weaved his way through the Crusaders’ defence to score under the sticks. Johnny Woodcock converted.

Crusaders got back into the game five minutes later after Jace Van Dijk easily converted a penalty following a high tackle.

Crusaders made ground straight away when they were awarded a penalty after Brendon Lindsay kicked the ball into touch from kick-off. They almost took advantage of their good fortune but Neale Wyatt was pulled into touch when he was just metres from the line.

Tony Duggan almost gave Crusaders an equalising try but he pounced on a grubber just a second too late and the ball was judged to be over the dead-ball line. Van Dijk was also close but he dropped the ball under pressure as he was pushing for the whitewash.

Eagles had a chance of their own when Greg Hurst was held up over the line but it was Crusaders who had most of the possession. However, they were unable to turn their sets into chances until the 28th minute when they finally broke through the virtually solid Eagles defence after Matt Hill superbly picked up Duggan’s chip to ground in the corner.

Crusaders failed in a vital opportunity to take the lead just before half-time when Van Dijk missed a penalty after Damien Reid was penalised for pushing.

But Sheffield didn’t waste their chance two minutes after half-time. Lindsay capitalised on an error in the Crusaders’ defence, diving on his own kick to ground just left of the posts. Woodcock easily added the extras.

They extended their lead to eight points just four minutes later after Crusaders were penalised for holding down in the tackle. Woodcock made no mistake with the penalty and could have extended their lead even further moments later but Lindsay’s grubber was a little too hard for him to chase.

However, the boot of Lindsay did lead to a try on 56 minutes when Jimmy Walker latched onto his grubber kick. Woodcock converted to make the score 20-6.

Walker added his second on the hour after capitalising on another error in the Crusaders defence to ground in the corner and after Paul Pickering kicked a 40-20 to set up another Eagles attack, there was no doubt about Eagles’ win. After winning a penalty on the 30-metre line, Woodcock kicked his fifth goal of the evening to make the score 26-6.

But Crusaders didn’t give up. Hill went over for his second try of the night four minutes later and Van Dijk converted to give the Crusaders hope.

They even had the last say - Van Dijk’s chip forward for Damien Quinn to latch onto in the last play of the game made the final score a bit more respectable.

So the Crusaders must bounce back from this defeat at the Brewery Field on Sunday 1st October. Whoever they face, it will be a tough game – Swinton beat the Crusaders last time they met in Bridgend while it took a try after the final hooter for them to beat Featherstone two weeks ago. The drama that is Celtic Crusaders year one goes on.

Sheffield Eagles: Johnny Woodcock, Greg Hurst, Jimmy Walker, Damien Reid, James Ford, Brendon Lindsay, Gavin Brown, Jack Howieson, Paul Pickering, Mitch Stringer, Andy Hay, Andy Smith, Sean Dickenson, Subs: Craig Poucher, Martin Ostler, Dale Holdstock, Waisale Sovatabua.

Tries: Stringer (8), Lindsay (42), Walker (56, 60)

Goals: Woodcock 5/6

Celtic Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Grant Epton, Aled James, Damian Quinn, Matt Hill, Luke Young, Jace Van Dijk, Gareth Dean, Michael Ryan, Gareth Price, Michael Ryan, Gareth Price, Ryan Barton, Chris Beasley, Neale Wyatt. Subs: Paul Morgan, Geraint Davies, Hywel Davies, Anthony Seibold.

Tries: Hill (28, 68), Quinn (80)
Goals: Van Dijk 2/5


Referee: Mr J King

Attendance: 760

Half-time: 6-6

Man of the Match: Brendon Lindsay

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