photo by Ian Lovell

In snowy conditions throughout the game, Celtic Crusaders completed two wins over Halifax in the space of nine days after an excellent performance in an exciting match at The Shay on Sunday.

Following a 26-18 win for the Crusaders at the Brewery Field last week in National League One, the Welsh side recorded a 30-24 Northern Rail Cup win to avenge their defeat to the Yorkshire side in this competition last year.

John Dixon’s side were always in control and two converted tries by the hosts at the death gave the scoreline a rather flattering look.

With scrum half Jace Van Dijk orchestrating proceedings and Gareth Dean and Neil Budworth leading a solid defensive effort, the Crusaders gave a good account of themselves as the Super League hopefuls continue to develop both on and off the field.

After a tight first half, Celtic Crusaders went into the interval with a 12-0 lead thanks to two tries in the space of ten minutes but not before Halifax had an early try disallowed after Paul Southern received a Sean Penkywicz forward pass.

It was a welcome return to The Shay for Anthony Blackwood. The Welsh international and former Halifax centre was the man who gave Crusaders an early lead with a try in the 12th minute after combining with Paul Ballard in a length of the field run. Mark Lennon converted.

The second try was on 19 minutes. Neale Wyatt, starting a game for the first time this season after a long lay-off from injury, charged his way through. Lennon had no problems with the extras again.

The second half was far more of a see-saw affair as the sides swapped two tries apiece early on.

Crusaders came out from the dressing room in a positive fashion and scored an early confidence boosting try through Darren Mapp following a series of Halifax defensive errors with the excellent goal-kicking from Welsh international Lennon making the score 18-0.

However Halifax fought their way back into the game and scored from their next set of six with Miles Greenwood running over and converting his own try.

But the Crusaders did likewise three minutes after that through a Van Dijk try. Lennon kept up his 100% record with the boot.

Andy Gorski got another try back for Halifax in the 55th minute but the Welsh side looked to have wrapped things up with ten minutes to go after Mapp slipped through the defence to ground for a second time. Lennon’s goal made the score 30-12

However Halifax fought back once again with two tries in the last three minutes. First Gorski went over for his second in the 77th minute before Welsh international Sean Penkywicz grounded in the 79th. Holroyd kept up his 100% kicking record as well to set up a nervy finish but the Crusaders held on for a slender but deserved win.

Crusaders’ coach John Dixon said: “It was a pretty good performance all round for us today if a little jittery towards the end. We attacked and defended well and I was pleased with our all round game especially when you consider the poor conditions."

The draw for the quarter-finals of the Northern Rail Cup is on Thursday evening at 8.15pm live on Sky Sports but the Crusaders must concentrate on the league again on Friday with an important away match at Whitehaven.

Halifax: Steve Royston, Lee Patterson, John Goddard, Andy Smith, Paul Smith, Damien Ball, Steve Varkulis, Graham Holroyd, Paul Southern, Dana Wilson, David Larder, Mick Govin, Sean Penkywicz. Subs: Frank Watene, Miles Greenwood, Andy Gorski, Dave Wrench.
Tries: Greenwood (45), Gorski (55, 77), Penkywicz (79)
Goals: Greenwood 4/4

Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Paul Ballard, Josh Hannay, Mark Dalle Cort, Anthony Blackwood, Mark Lennon, Jace Van Dijk, Jordan James, Neil Budworth, David Tangata-Toa, Neale Wyatt, Darren Mapp, Damien Quinn. Subs: Ian Webster, Aaron Summers, Jamie I’Anson, Gareth Dean. 
Tries: Blackwood (12), Wyatt (19), Mapp (42, 70), Van Dijk (48)
Goals: Lennon 5/5

Referee: Mike Dawber (Wigan) 

article by Ian Golden
6 April 2008