photo by Ian Lovell

Whitehaven completed the double over Celtic Crusaders at the Brewery Field on Saturday evening as the Welsh side lost in front of the S4C cameras for the very first time.

The match will be remembered for being a nine-try see-saw thriller that entertained the fans from start to finish. Unfortunately it will also be remembered for having some very controversial refereeing decisions that infuriated both sets of fans.

However this mustn’t take any credit away from Whitehaven for their hard-fought win led by playmaker Leroy Joe’s accurate kicking that led to three of their five tries.

The win lifted the Cumbrians, who must be commended for coming back from behind three times during the game, into fourth place, just five points behind the Crusaders, who earned a bonus point for their efforts in a tough encounter.

Crusaders took the lead on 11 minutes following a slick move started with a marvellous offload from Ian Webster to Damien Quinn. Josh Hannay, Mark Lennon and Luke Dyer were also involved, setting up Aled James who placed the ball in the corner.

Whitehaven levelled things when Spencer Miller latched onto a loose ball in the goal area after Joe caused confusion with his high cross-kick. Tane Manihera converted to give them a 6-4 lead.

Very soon it was 10-4. David Ford made the metres, working the ball up the field from a scrum. Ade Adebesi was put through and ran the ball home.

Crusaders hit back on 25 minutes with a brilliant move on the right wing. Chris Beasley laid off to Mark Dalle Cort who evaded his markers to slip to ball to Paul Ballard who in turn slipped his way pass the Haven backline.

Whitehaven’s indiscipline cost them as they gave away a number of first half penalties and eventually the Crusaders made them pay. Quinn created a chance for Tony Duggan but he was held short. And after winning their third penalty in five minutes near to the Haven line, Ben Flower forced his way through, brushing off three defenders to score a try. Mark Lennon converted to put the Welsh side 14-12 up at the interval, but was denied a try of his own just before the hooter after being held up over the line.

The lead was increased to 16-12 three minutes into the second half following a Lennon penalty goal given for holding down in the tackle but Whitehaven levelled things five minutes later when Craig Calvert dived onto a perfect Leroy Joe grubber kick.

They took the lead on 54 minutes. Joe was the creator again, chipping high to Spencer Miller who knocked the ball down despite the efforts of Duggan and Ryan McDonald was first to the ball out-reaching Luke Dyer to score. Manihera somehow missed the easy conversion.

Ballard thought he’d levelled things by going over for his second try, set up by Quinn, but the pass was judged to have been forward by the referee despite it being far less blatant than some of the forward passes from both sides that he, and the touch judges failed to spot earlier in the game.

But Quinn himself was next on the scoresheet, selling a dummy to go in under the sticks after finishing off a move started by Neil Budworth and Gareth Dean. Lennon’s goal gave the Welsh side a two-point advantage.

The lead wasn’t held for long. As soon as Whitehaven regained the ball, they scored. Rob Jackson was the man who forced the ball over following good work from Craig Calvert. However what proved to be the winning try was just another in a long list of controversial refereeing decisions with there being a strong suspicion of a double movement. Manihera converted to give Whitehaven a four-point lead.

Crusaders had one final chance with two minutes remaining. Dalle Cort placed a hopeful kick along the left wing. Ballard chased but was beaten to the ball by Ade Adebesi who looked to have knocked on but to the relief of the Whitehaven players and fans, the touch-judge and referee both waved play on.

Whitehaven boss Ged Stokes was happy at his side’s performance.

“This team has gone a long way from the start of the year from where we were to where we are now,” he said. “This is in terms of confidence and self-belief and it’s a privilege to coach the team as every week we achieve something new. We might not be the most attractive of teams at times but we certainly work hard for each other and we did work hard for today’s win. This was a tough trip for us, we just came out a little better on the day.”

Crusaders coach John Dixon said: “We weren’t good today. There were some things that happened out there that were beyond our control and some things that happened on the pitch absolutely mystified me as a coach. More importantly though, there were things that we should have controlled better.

“Our endeavour was great and we tried hard but we couldn’t muster that extra bit at the end to seal the win. I give credit to Whitehaven, they did a good job but it was disappointing for us today.

Whitehaven made their long journey back to Cumbria, knowing that the next thing they will have to think about is a tough home game against Halifax next Sunday. For Crusaders, their next big date is Tuesday at 10am when their future for the next three years will be announced.

CELTIC CRUSADERS
1. Tony Duggan                      
2. Paul Ballard             
3. Josh Hannay                       
4. Mark Dalle Cort                   
5. Aled James
6. Damien Quinn                     
7. Mark Lennon                      
8. Jordan James         
9. Ian Webster            
10. Gareth Dean                     
11. Chris Beasley                    
12. Darren Mapp ©                 
13. Luke Dyer             
Subs:
14. Neil Budworth                   
15. Jamie I’Anson                   
16. Ben Flower                       
17. David Tangata-Toa

Tries: James (11), Ballard (25), Flower (35), Quinn (67)
Goals: Lennon 3/5

WHITEHAVEN
1. Gary Broadbent ©
2. Craig Calvert
3. Rob Jackson
4. Scott McAvoy
5. Ade Adebisi
6. Tane Manihera
7. Leroy Joe
8. Karl Edmondson
9. Graeme Mattinson
10. Ryan McDonald
11. Spencer Miller
12. Howard Hill
13. Saia Makisi
Subs:
14. John Patrick
15. Andy Gorski
16. David Ford
17. Marc Jackson

Tries: Miller (17), Adebesi (21), Calvert (48), McDonald (54), Jackson (70)
Goals: Manihera 3/5

Referee: Ron Laughton (Sheffield)
Attendance: 1,870
Men of the Match:
Crusaders – Damien Quinn
Whitehaven – Leroy Joe
Penalties: 13-5
Scoring Sequence: 4-0, 4-6, 4-12, 8-12, 14-12, 16-12, 16-16, 16-20, 22-20, 22-26
Half-time: 14-12
Gamestar: Leroy Joe who marshalled Whitehaven’s game, kicking superbly and causing confusion in the Crusaders’ defence.
Gamebreaker: Haven’s excellent kicking game, Jackson’s 70th minute try and Adebesi’s controversial “non-knock-on”. All contributing factors to the win.
Weather: Fine, a little cloudy
Match Rating: 4/5

article by Ian Golden
19 July 2008