GATESHEAD THUNDER 16 CELTIC CRUSADERS 60

By Ian Golden at Gateshead International Stadium

http://www.crusadersrfl.com

Celtic Crusaders clinched the Co-operative National League Two title and automatic promotion without even having to kick a ball this weekend after Barrow Raiders hammered second placed Featherstone Rovers 30-4 on Saturday night. The Welsh side will play in National League One in 2008, just a division below the likes of Bradford and St Helens in Super League.

Over 100 Welsh fans, their biggest away support of the season, then made the 700-mile round trip by plane, train and automobile to see their side lift the trophy after beating Gateshead Thunder 60-16 on Sunday afternoon.

Crusaders’ coach John Dixon was ecstatic at his team’s success.

“This is a really good day for rugby league,” he said. “It’s a great day for everyone associated with our club and for everyone involved in rugby league in Wales. This is the fruit of 12 months of hard work.

“The competition in National League One will be tougher. We think we’ve got the core here of a team that can compete really well in National League One. Hopefully we’ll get better as a team and I think we’ll compete really well.”

With a World Cup qualifier on the horizon for Wales, Dixon also believes that this success will help Wales at international level.

“One of the prime reasons behind the Celtic Crusaders is to promote the game of rugby league in Wales,” he added. “And if anything we can do to help the Welsh national team by giving Welsh players the opportunity to play at our level, then that’s fantastic for the game in Wales.”

Crusaders’ assistant coach Kevin Ellis has achieved many accomplishments during his playing days but he believes that Crusaders’ promotion this year is one of the highlights of his career.

“This is right up there at the top,” the former Wales and Lions international said. “I’ve won trophies with Warrington, Wales and Bridgend Blue Bulls, but to win a tough competition like National League Two in our second season is absolutely fantastic.”

Crusaders’ operations manager Gerald McCarthy added: “This championship is a credit to all the hard work that everyone in the club has done but the biggest thanks of all go to Leighton Samuel for his commitment, support and belief that we would succeed. Without him none of this would have happened.”

McCarthy says that it is John Dixon’s coaching skills that will enable Crusaders to go far in National League One in 2008.

“I think we’ve got the best coach in rugby league in Britain at the moment in John Dixon,” McCarthy said. “His expertise, his knowledge of the game, his contacts in the game and the respect he has in the game is going to push us forward.”

Thunder gave Crusaders an early scare in their final match as Robin Peers gave them a third minute lead but the champions equalised straight from kick-off with a Paul Ballard try.

From then on it was exhibition stuff.

Tony Duggan fed Rob Toshack for a second try on 13 minutes while Damien Quinn slid in under the posts two minutes later.

Duggan surpassed his 2007 scoring record by notching his 38th of 2007 on 19 minutes, running the ball in under the posts after fine work from Welsh international Gareth Dean.

Darren Mapp added a further try on 24 minutes with Neale Wyatt running over on 29.

Neil Budworth created the next try, offloading to Quinn who in turn set up Duggan for his second of the game. Jace Van Dijk’s fifth goal of the half gave the Crusaders a 38-4 lead at the interval.

Thunder dominated the first five minutes of the second half following a Crusaders error from kick-off and they were rewarded when Michael Knowles went over on 45 minutes and converted his own try.

A 70 metre run from Quinn and Van Dijk goal restored the balance five minutes later while Chris Beasley set up Grant Epton for a further score straight from kick-off.

Knowles went over for his second of the game converting it himself once again on 64 minutes to put the score on 16-48.

But Duggan went over for his hat-trick and his 40th of the season five minutes later. Van Dijk converted before scoring a try of his own with six minutes remaining. Beasley then took and scored his first ever conversion for the club to complete a successful season for the Crusaders.

Gateshead Thunder: Neil Thorman, Robin Peers, Graham Stephenson, Pat Williamson, Danny Wilson, Tim Martin, Kevin Till, Chris Parker, Dan Smith, Tabuanitoga Cakacaka-Fou, Shane Wooden, Nice Hyde, Michael Knowles. Subs: Ryan Clarke, Clint Frazer, Matt Barron, Jonny Scott.

Tries: Peers (3), Knowles (45, 64)
Goals: Knowles 2/3

Celtic Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Paul Ballard, Rob Toshack, Mark Dalle Cort, Anthony Blackwood, Josh Hannay, Jace Van Dijk, Terry Martin, Neil Budworth, Gareth Dean, Neale Wyatt, Darren Mapp, Damien Quinn. Subs: Grant Epton, Chris Beasley, Jamie I’Anson, Hywel Davies.

Tries: Ballard (6), Toshack (13), Quinn (15, 50), Duggan (19, 34, 69), Mapp (24), Wyatt (29), Epton (52), Van Dijk (74)
Goals: Van Dijk 7/10, Beasley 1/1

Half-time: 4-38
Referee: Robert Hicks (Oldham)

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