Lupton went close

By Chris O'Brien
March 7 2009

Tom Armstrong scored the only try of the game as the Celtic Crusaders slipped to a fourth successive Super League defeat. The surprise was the scoreline – with the Saints edging an incredibly close contest by four points to nil. Despite missing some key players, Cru produced a dogged defensive display but were denied a share of the spoils as the visitors ran over after 59 minutes.

To read a brilliant match review from messageboard regular SteveC - please click here.

A club record 6,351 fans turned up to the Brewery Field as the Crusaders ran St.Helens agonisingly close in a frustrating and bizarre contest in Bridgend.

The game was severely lacking in points, but not in entertainment as a passionate home crowd sensed a huge Super League upset and came close to seeing a piece of Welsh RL history.

The Crusaders were without skipper Jace van Dijk and leading try-scorer Tony Duggan but still produced a dogged display with the game remaining pointless for almost an hour.

Peter Lupton came so close to breaking the deadlock for Cru but he spilled the ball over the try line, whilst Saints prop Maurie Fa'asavalu had an effort disallowed for not grounding the ball.

The try came a few seconds short of the hour mark. Wing Tom Armstrong ran home into the corner as the Saints finally punished a brave Crusaders backline to the delight of the healthy contingent of travelling supporters.

The visitors came closest to adding to the games meagre four points as a late Bryn Hargreaves knock-on denied the Saints. However, one try proved to be enough to settle an intriguing game. The result is ultimately disappointing but the eighty minutes yet again proved that John Dixon's men can be competitive with some of the best sides in the sport.

Full Time - Celtic Crusaders 0-4 St.Helens
Attendance - 6,351

Celtic Crusaders 0-4 St.Helens

Discussion started by Celtic Crusaders (IP Logged), 07/03/2009 23:20

Celtic Crusaders
07/03/2009 23:20

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Rust Sef
08/03/2009 20:16

Hard luck.

Need to get some points pretty soon I imagine, good to see a tidy crowd attending

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Cymru am Byth...

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Rogero
08/03/2009 22:03

If we can get 5-6,000 every week there'll be no problem whatsoever!

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tyke93
09/03/2009 11:15

Really bad luck. Could have maybe snatched it there. Keep going and i reckon you huys will be alright in Super League.

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