In torrential conditions, Crusaders Colts earned a dramatic 9-8 win at Gateshead Storm thanks to a 77th minute drop goal from debutant Paul Emmanuelli who, along with fellow debutant Graham Hughes, was also due to turn out for Wales A against Ireland in Porthcawl the next day.

The duo opted to play two games in a weekend as the Colts were hit by injuries and unavailabilities due to having a number of players in the Welsh Students side.

Storm were keen to show a massive improvement on last week’s outing at Bramley which saw them come away on the receiving end of a 62-10 defeat.

Crusaders, who last week beat defending champions Featherstone Lions, came into the game keen to continue their impressive run which has seen them post an average of 50 points a game so far this season.

The conditions dictated what kind of game it was to be, the heavy rain and swirling wind making handling difficult, both sides trading possession in what was a very sloppy opening quarter. Both defences held strong until just after the quarter hour mark Crusaders forced a goal line drop out from Storm. Coach Coutts’ kick holding up in the wind before Gary Williams gathered to wrong foot the Storm chasers and go over untouched in the corner. Lee Williams failing with the extras.

Again both sides held strong for the next 15 minutes until a long 40-20 from Lee Williams granted the Colts possession inside the Storm 10 metre line. The ball was worked from left to right before Gary Williams crossed for his second try of the game, Lee Williams failing to add the extras again.

Storm then hit back just before half-time

when Andy Morris pounced on Coutts’ neat grubber on the last tackle which was unconverted against a strong wind to halve to deficit to 4-8 at the interval.

The two sides opened the second period much the same way they had the first, trading possession after handling errors before midway into the second half Storm scored again through skipper Chris Burnett who’s trademark scoot saw him dummy and go over from close range which Coutts again failed to convert.

This set up a tense finale as both sides came close to scoring, Colts being held up over the line and then being judged to have knocked on in the act of scoring, before sustained pressure saw Emmanuelli drop back to slot his field goal over from 20 metres out with less than three minutes to play.

GATESHEAD STORM: Liam Andrews, Gavin Houston, Andy Morris, Graham Stephenson, Michael Lassen, Dave Vernon, John Coutts, Stephen Welton, Chris Burnett, Richie Metcalfe, Andrew Pybus, Mick Dixon, Neil Emmerson
SUBS: (All Used) Duncan Bain, Rhys Clarke, Mark Dack, Andrew Barnes
Tries: Morris (38), Burnett (56)

CELTIC CRUSADERS COLTS: Elliot Kear, John Davies, Gary Williams, Lee Williams, Ashley Griffiths, Paul Emmanuelli, Greg Callow, Geraint Davies, Olly Hughes, Phillipe Gardent, Lewis Mills, Ben Flower, Chris Vitalini
SUBS: (All Used) Jamie I’Anson, Gil Dudson, Graham Hughes, Ryan James
Tries: G. Williams (14, 33)
DG: Emmanuelli (77)

Man of the Match:
Storm – Richie Metcalfe     
Colts – Chris Vitalini
Referee: M.Croft
Half time: 4 – 8

article by Adam Houston
5 July 2008