Dalle Cort played well

By Chris O'Brien
July 12 2009

John Dixon’s Celtic Crusaders claimed a morale boosting victory on Saturday evening as Salford City Reds were put to the sword at the Brewery Field. Despite a terrible start which saw the hosts twelve points down after only minutes, the hosts produced a resilient fightback and ended up deserved winners for the third time this season.

The rain poured, George Sampson couldn't perform on health and safety grounds and the club's hopes of hundreds of screaming young fans of the street performer swelling the attendance didn't really materialise. 3,009 watched it - and the majority left happy as the Celtic Crusaders claimed their third win of the season against old rivals Salford.

Following a week of dreadful press for the club, it looked like being another grim afternoon to be a Saders fans. The Red Devils raced out of the blocks and found themselves twelve points clear after only minutes. Poor defending allowed Luke Adamson to power through at the earliest opportunity before a woeful error from Quinn on the goal-line allowed Stuart Littler to score the easiest of tries.

The Saders, however, showed great character to battle back into the game. With twenty minutes gone, Marshall Chalk raced over the line after collecting a high ball before Anthony Blackwood steamed home. Quinn had a perfect day with the boot and Cru soon found themselves back level; and it soon got better with Lincoln Withers scoring the games' fifth try to edge the hosts in front before the half-time break.

After a half-time speech from new club president and ex-Salford man David Watkins, the second-half got underway and it was forty minutes of determination and dogged work from the hosts who frustrated the Reds for long periods. Salford wasted chances as the Saders edged further ahead through Matt Smith and the stand-off's last-gasp drop goal secured a superb and deserved win for the South Walian outfit.

It's been an uncertain week to follow the Crusaders. Reports of financial woe, confusion over next season's home venue and potential problems with the immigration office have made it a week to forget. However, everyone in black and gold was smiling on Saturday evening as Dixon's battlers produced a performance to be proud of and still left fans with a glimmer of hope that we may yet avoid the wooden spoon in our inaugural Super League campaign.

Full Time - Celtic Crusaders 25-12 Salford City Reds
Attendance - 3,009

Saders claim third win as old rivals Salford beaten

Discussion started by CruXIII (IP Logged), 12/07/2009 23:06

CruXIII
12/07/2009 23:06

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