Blackpool 8 Crusaders 54
By Ian Golden
July 23 2007
Celtic Crusaders inflicted Blackpool Panthers’ 30th consecutive defeat after cruising to a 54-8 win at Woodlands Memorial Ground on Sunday afternoon to keep up their recent good run in Co-operative national league 2, for full details of the game read on.
July 23 2007
Celtic Crusaders inflicted Blackpool Panthers’ 30th consecutive defeat after cruising to a 54-8 win at Woodlands Memorial Ground on Sunday afternoon to keep up their recent good run in Co-operative national league 2, for full details of the game read on.
BLACKPOOL PANTHERS 8 CELTIC CRUSADERS 54
By Ian Golden
Celtic Crusaders inflicted Blackpool Panthers’ 30th consecutive defeat after cruising to a 54-8 win at Woodlands Memorial Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Crusaders now move into second place in Co-operative National League Two thanks to league leaders Featherstone Rovers beating Barrow Raiders on Saturday. The Welsh side now have the chance to move closer to Rovers at the top of the table when the two sides meet at the Chris Moyles Stadium in a match to be screened live on Sky Sports this Thursday.
“We’re all very much looking forward to the Featherstone game,” Dixon said. “There’s a chance that Anthony Blackwood, Chris Beasley and Rob Toshack could all be in contention for a place in the side – we’ll finalise that team later in the week.”
Blackpool took a shock lead on five minutes after Keiron Seeds fed Carl Jones to roll over the line.
They were unable to score a second despite Jones’ pressuring again, and the centre’s pass on the fifth tackle was dropped by Melvin Alker.
Crusaders fought for a leveller and were close on ten minutes but Jace Van Dijk’s grubber was too far for Grant Epton to dive on.
But from the next play, Richard Johnston released Tony Duggan and the division’s top scorer sprinted half the length of the field to score under the sticks. Van Dijk easily added the extras.
Johnston then prevented a second Panthers’ try after doing well to clear Martin Gambles’ skilful grubber. Gambles also had a try disallowed when he was offside after receiving Safraz Jama’s kick.
And after going close on a couple of occasions, Crusaders finally broke through for a second try on 22 minutes after Mark Dalle Cort set up Johnston to run over in the corner. Van Dijk’s excellent kick made the score 4-12.
Hywel Davies was unable to score a third after being stopped short when charging through and Josh Cale knocked on after receiving the ball from dummy half on the next play.
But when Neale Wyatt released Paul Ballard, there was no stopping the centre as he ran 50 metres to ground with Van Dijk converting again.
Crusaders scored their fourth from the first set after kick-off. Van Dijk’s kick was superbly caught by Johnston who grounded his second. Van Dijk kept up his superlative kicking record to give the Welsh a 20-point lead.
The half-time score could have been ever higher but Josh Cale and Neale Wyatt both had tries disallowed in the last five minutes.
However Tony Duggan once again sprinted over 50 metres to add Crusaders’ fifth on 43 minutes. Van Dijk converted again.
Grant Epton added their sixth less than five minutes later with Van Dijk again converting and Crusaders were officially home and dry.
Following a scuffle where Johnston and Jama were sinbinned, the pace of the game slowed down as both sides got used to their formations being changed.
And it was just before both players returned to the field that Blackpool got their second try when Danny Barton ran in.
There could have been a third for Blackpool straight away but Phil Cantillon was held up over the line.
But Crusaders restored the balance on 71 minutes when Paul Ballard broke through for his second while Jamie I’Anson fed Damien Quinn for Crusaders’ eighth try just three minutes later.
Crusaders were now running riot as Blackpool tired. Dalle Cort slipped the ball to man of the match Duggan to go in for his hat-trick.
Van Dijk kept his 100% kicking record by converting all three to seal a win that was just a warm up before their biggest match of the season on Thursday.
Dixon said: “I was happy with the scoreline. I think we could have been better in certain areas but in the end we’ve travelled away and got a good score that favoured us and that’s nice to be happy about.”
Blackpool Panthers: Chris Brand, Keiron Seeds, Eddie Kilgannon, Carl Jones, Tom Lever, Safraz Jama, Martin Gambles, Kris Ratcliffe, Martin Roden, Danny Barton, Melvin Alker, Mick Stout, Phil Cantillon. Subs: Gus Smith, Rob Sloman, Daniel Palmer, Tim Street.
Tries: Jones (5), Barton (62)
Goals: Brand 0/2
Celtic Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Grant Epton, Paul Ballard, Mark Dalle Cort, Richard Johnston, Luke Young, Jace Van Dijk, Terry Martin, Neil Budworth, Gareth Dean, Neale Wyatt, Darren Mapp, Damien Quinn. Subs: Aurélien Cologni, Jamie I’Anson, Josh Cale, Hywel Davies.
Tries: Duggan (12, 43, 77), Johnston (22, 31), Ballard (28, 71), Epton (47), Quinn (74)
Goals: Van Dijk 9/9
Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)
Half-time: 4-24
By Ian Golden
Celtic Crusaders inflicted Blackpool Panthers’ 30th consecutive defeat after cruising to a 54-8 win at Woodlands Memorial Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Crusaders now move into second place in Co-operative National League Two thanks to league leaders Featherstone Rovers beating Barrow Raiders on Saturday. The Welsh side now have the chance to move closer to Rovers at the top of the table when the two sides meet at the Chris Moyles Stadium in a match to be screened live on Sky Sports this Thursday.
“We’re all very much looking forward to the Featherstone game,” Dixon said. “There’s a chance that Anthony Blackwood, Chris Beasley and Rob Toshack could all be in contention for a place in the side – we’ll finalise that team later in the week.”
Blackpool took a shock lead on five minutes after Keiron Seeds fed Carl Jones to roll over the line.
They were unable to score a second despite Jones’ pressuring again, and the centre’s pass on the fifth tackle was dropped by Melvin Alker.
Crusaders fought for a leveller and were close on ten minutes but Jace Van Dijk’s grubber was too far for Grant Epton to dive on.
But from the next play, Richard Johnston released Tony Duggan and the division’s top scorer sprinted half the length of the field to score under the sticks. Van Dijk easily added the extras.
Johnston then prevented a second Panthers’ try after doing well to clear Martin Gambles’ skilful grubber. Gambles also had a try disallowed when he was offside after receiving Safraz Jama’s kick.
And after going close on a couple of occasions, Crusaders finally broke through for a second try on 22 minutes after Mark Dalle Cort set up Johnston to run over in the corner. Van Dijk’s excellent kick made the score 4-12.
Hywel Davies was unable to score a third after being stopped short when charging through and Josh Cale knocked on after receiving the ball from dummy half on the next play.
But when Neale Wyatt released Paul Ballard, there was no stopping the centre as he ran 50 metres to ground with Van Dijk converting again.
Crusaders scored their fourth from the first set after kick-off. Van Dijk’s kick was superbly caught by Johnston who grounded his second. Van Dijk kept up his superlative kicking record to give the Welsh a 20-point lead.
The half-time score could have been ever higher but Josh Cale and Neale Wyatt both had tries disallowed in the last five minutes.
However Tony Duggan once again sprinted over 50 metres to add Crusaders’ fifth on 43 minutes. Van Dijk converted again.
Grant Epton added their sixth less than five minutes later with Van Dijk again converting and Crusaders were officially home and dry.
Following a scuffle where Johnston and Jama were sinbinned, the pace of the game slowed down as both sides got used to their formations being changed.
And it was just before both players returned to the field that Blackpool got their second try when Danny Barton ran in.
There could have been a third for Blackpool straight away but Phil Cantillon was held up over the line.
But Crusaders restored the balance on 71 minutes when Paul Ballard broke through for his second while Jamie I’Anson fed Damien Quinn for Crusaders’ eighth try just three minutes later.
Crusaders were now running riot as Blackpool tired. Dalle Cort slipped the ball to man of the match Duggan to go in for his hat-trick.
Van Dijk kept his 100% kicking record by converting all three to seal a win that was just a warm up before their biggest match of the season on Thursday.
Dixon said: “I was happy with the scoreline. I think we could have been better in certain areas but in the end we’ve travelled away and got a good score that favoured us and that’s nice to be happy about.”
Blackpool Panthers: Chris Brand, Keiron Seeds, Eddie Kilgannon, Carl Jones, Tom Lever, Safraz Jama, Martin Gambles, Kris Ratcliffe, Martin Roden, Danny Barton, Melvin Alker, Mick Stout, Phil Cantillon. Subs: Gus Smith, Rob Sloman, Daniel Palmer, Tim Street.
Tries: Jones (5), Barton (62)
Goals: Brand 0/2
Celtic Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Grant Epton, Paul Ballard, Mark Dalle Cort, Richard Johnston, Luke Young, Jace Van Dijk, Terry Martin, Neil Budworth, Gareth Dean, Neale Wyatt, Darren Mapp, Damien Quinn. Subs: Aurélien Cologni, Jamie I’Anson, Josh Cale, Hywel Davies.
Tries: Duggan (12, 43, 77), Johnston (22, 31), Ballard (28, 71), Epton (47), Quinn (74)
Goals: Van Dijk 9/9
Referee: Craig Halloran (Dewsbury)
Half-time: 4-24
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Blackpool 8 Crusaders 54
Posted by: celticwarriors.tk (IP Logged)
Date: 23/07/2007 20:26
Blackpool 8 Crusaders 54
Re: Blackpool 8 Crusaders 54
Posted by: PJ_BECKS (IP Logged)
Date: 23/07/2007 23:51
Poor ol' Panthers but a superb win for the Crusaders and now 5 points off top with a game in hand.
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