By Ian Golden
April 7 2007

Match review from the 1st game in the Co-operative National League Two which the Celtic Crusaders won 42 - 18 against the London Skolars at the New River Stadium.

LONDON SKOLARS 18 CELTIC CRUSADERS 42

By Ian Golden at New River Stadium - http://www.crusadersrl.com

Celtic Crusaders will hope to make it two wins out of two in their Co-operative National League Two campaign on Easter Monday when they take on Blackpool Panthers at the Brewery Field (kick-off 3pm).

All fans will be able to see that match for only £2 each – a reduction of up to £5 on normal admission prices - thanks to a special Bank Holiday offer from the club.

Following a successful Northern Rail Cup campaign that saw them beat former Super League side Leigh Centurions twice, the Crusaders were installed as favourites to win National League Two, and they justified that tag on Good Friday when they easily overcame London Skolars 42-18 at the New River Stadium.

Crusaders’ Operations Manager said: “Hopefully this will be the first win out of two for us on this Easter weekend. We’ve got a really good team this season and I believe that our best is still yet to come. I encourage fans to come out in force to support us on Easter Monday in Bridgend as we’re determined to put on another good show, and at only £2 to get in, you can’t go wrong.”

With just a two-day turnaround, Crusaders coach John Dixon isn’t likely to make any major changes to the line-up but Tony Duggan will undergo a fitness test on Saturday.

Crusaders took an early lead when Terry Martin weaved past the Skolars defence to ground under the sticks on two minutes. Quinn easily converted.

Neil Budworth fed Gareth Dean who dived over in the same spot as Martin to score the second try in the first set from kick-off. Quinn had no problems making it 12-0.

But the Skolars struck back on 12 minutes after Kurt Pittman fed Jermaine Coleman to go over, converting his own try.

Coleman was then the hero at the other end, doing well to make a try-saving tackle on a speedy Paul Ballard, knocking him into touch when the Crusaders wingman had sprinted 40 metres after picking up a loose ball.

And it was the excellent loose forward who set up the Skolars next try, feeding Chris Shears to go over in the corner, but he missed the tricky conversion so the Crusaders had a tight two-point lead going into the 20 minute mark.

Crusaders regained their advantage on 21 minutes. Luke Young made the break and fed Craig Richards who danced past Pete Hodgkinson to score his fifth try in as many games since his transfer from rugby union. Quinn’s kick gave the Welsh an eight-point lead.

The mercurial Young, playing his best game of the season so far, attempted to set another up for Richards but his grubber was picked up by Hodgkinson. However the London full-back was brought down by Richards forcing a kick from under the sticks.

From the drop-out, the Crusaders scored again as Paul Ballard made a welcome comeback from injury, finishing off a good passing move by scoring in the corner.

They almost got a fifth try minutes later. Jace Van Dijk fed Chris Beasley but the substitute was denied a try in his first match of the season as pressure caused him to drop the ball as was diving over the line.

But the Crusaders did eventually cross again before half-time, Richards running in for his second try after good work from Young and Martin, and Quinn set up Richard Johnston to score on 39 minutes to make the half-time score 32-10.

Johnston brilliantly went through for his second six minutes after the interval with Quinn converting again.

It took over 20 minutes for the Crusaders to increase their lead again – an unconverted Dean Fitzgerald try - as they slightly took their foot off the gas but still defended well to keep the Skolars out.

Skolars thought they had a try back minutes later but William Webster was just beaten to the ball by Young following a grubber kick into the goal area.

But the home side weren’t to be a consolation as Kurt Pittman forced his way over while Coleman grabbed his second try just as the clock ticked over to 80 minutes.

So with one game down and 21 to go in the Crusaders’ quest for promotion, Blackpool, who were narrowly beat 40-34 at home to Swinton, await on Monday. London face a tricky trip to York City Knights who lost 26-18 at Gateshead.

LONDON SKOLARS
Pete Hodgkinson
Corey Simms
Chris Shears
Jake Kerr
William Webster
Chris Lynton
Paul Thorman
Alan Barker
Gareth Honor
Richard Louw
Kurt Pittman
Lydan Maitua
Jermaine Coleman
Subs (all used)
Steve Green
Joe Price
Dave Brown
Rubert Jonker

Tries: Coleman (12, 80), Shears (16), Pittman (73)
Goals: Coleman 1/4

CELTIC CRUSADERS
Richard Johnston
Paul Ballard
Rob Toshack
Mark Dalle Cort
Craig Richards
Luke Young
Jace Van Dijk
Hywel Davies
Neil Budworth
Gareth Dean
Terry Martin
Dean Fitzgerald
Damien Quinn
Subs (all used)
Chris Beasley
Jamie I’Anson
Phil Cushion
Lee Williams

Tries: Martin (2), Dean (5), Richards (21, 35), Ballard (27), Johnston (39, 46), Fitzgerald (67)
Goals: Quinn 5/8

Penalties: 7-6
Attendance: 211
Referee: Dave Merrick
Half-time: 10-32
Man of the Match: Richards (Crusaders)
Weather: Warmest day of the year so far
Match Rating: 3/5