photo by Ian Lovell

Celtic Crusaders in their longest away trip of the season failed to repeat their excellent performances over the last couple of weeks as they went down 44-16 to a strong and well organised Whitehaven side, who put in their best performance in over a month.

It wasn’t the greatest of warm-ups for the Welsh side as they prepare for arguably the toughest match in their short history next Friday when they travel to Super League and World Club Champions Leeds Rhinos in a Carnegie Challenge Cup tie, however Whitehaven will host Lezignan next week full of confidence after this victory.

Crusaders took the lead on three minutes. Neale Wyatt made the metres, Mark Lennon set up Neil Budworth who sold a superb dummy before passing to Anthony Blackwood who grounded in the corner. Lennon converted.

From then on Whitehaven did everything right, they attacked and defended well and their set-pieces were first class. They also looked to have done their homework on the Crusaders as many of the Welsh side’s attempted set-pieces were prevented from coming to fruition.

Rob Jackson thought he’d got a try back for Whitehaven a few minutes after Blackwood’s opener but he was held up over the line.

However they got their first points on the board on eight minutes after Carl Rudd kicked a penalty goal from the 40-metre line after Crusaders were penalised for holding down in the tackle.

Rudd made the next try, Haven’s first of the night, setting up Howard Hill who forced his way over. Rudd’s kick gave the home side a two-point lead.

Rudd added another penalty moments later before Craig Calvert extended Haven’s lead after doing well to catch Leroy Joe’s excellent chip. Rudd’s kick increased the gap to ten points.

Ade Adebesi should have scored from Haven’s next attack after Rudd’s grubber kick was missed by Anthony Blackwood, but he spooned the ball into touch.

Crusaders could have scored a try back on the half hour mark but Blackwood was just short of the line after catching Jace Van Dijk’s chip.

Adebesi made no mistake with his second opportunity after diving on a chip kick in the corner on 33 minutes. Rudd kept up with his 100% kicking record to put the half-time score on 22-6.

Crusaders could have had a try back just before the interval following a Van Dijk penalty that was kicked into touch. Ian Webster had the opportunity but was held up over the line and from the restart Tony Duggan’s grubber went into touch.

Haven extended their lead seven minutes after the interval. Rudd’s grubber was well covered by Paul Ballard who ran the ball out into touch forcing a goal-line drop out, and from the resulting set, Rudd set up Adebesi to go over for his second of the night.

Man of the match Rudd made things safe for Haven with half an hour left on the clock as he took advantage of a dropped ball to pounce and score, converting his own try to make the score 32-6.

Mark Lennon was called on to defend well for the Crusaders stopping two certain tries in as many minutes by being first to the ball following dangerous grubber kicks. Mark Dalle Cort did similar moments after that.

Spencer Miller ran through for Haven’s next try on 61 minutes with Rudd converting but Crusaders got a consolation try with seven minutes remaining when Jordan James scored following Van Dijk’s grubber. Lennon converted.

Substitute David Ford rubbed salt into Crusaders’ wounds with his first ever Whitehaven try with three minutes remaining. Mark Bainbridge converted.

But Crusaders had the final word with an excellent Mark Dalle Cort try on the hooter.

Whitehaven boss Ged Stokes said: “That was a terrific display, we were superb in our attitude. Everything we did in training over the last few weeks sunk in and the players’ contribution was tremendous. We controlled their right hand side and our forward pack was excellent.”

Crusaders coach John Dixon added: “I give full credit to Whitehaven tonight. They outplayed us in all departments and their kicking game was outstanding. They got some good returns and good rewards. We now need to get over this week, lick our wounds and go to the Leeds game and play well there.”

WHITEHAVEN
1. Gary Broadbent
2. Craig Calver
3. Rob Jackson
4. Said Makisi
5. Ade Adebesi
6. Leroy Joe
7. Marc Bainbridge
8. Ryan McDonald
9. Graeme Mattinson
10. Marc Jackson
11. Spencer Miller
12. Howard Hill
13. Carl Rudd
Subs:
14. Carl Sice
15. Scott McAvoy
16. Karl Edmundson
17. David Ford
Tries: Hill (10), Calvert (21), Adebesi (33, 47), Rudd (50), Miller (61), Ford (77)
Goals: Rudd 7/8, Bainbridge 1/1

CRUSADERS
1. Tony Duggan
2. Paul Ballard
3. Josh Hannay
4. Mark Lennon
5. Anthony Blackwood
6. Damien Quinn
7. Jace Van Dijk
8. Jordan James
9. Neil Budworth
10. David Tangata-Toa
11. Mark Dalle Cort
12. Darren Mapp
13. Neale Wyatt
Subs:
14. Ian Webster
15. Aaron Summers
16. Chris Beasley
17. Gareth Dean
Tries: Blackwood (3), James (73), Dalle Cort (79)
Goals: Lennon 2/3

Referee: Thierry Alibert (France)
Attendance: 1,220
Men of the Match: Whitehaven – Rudd, Crusaders – Lennon
Half-time: 22-6
Scoring Sequence: 0-6, 2-6, 8-6, 10-6, 16-6, 22-6, 26-6, 32-6, 38-6, 38-12, 44-12, 44-16
Gamebreaker: Rudd’s try on 50 minutes made things safe for Haven.
Gamestar: Carl Rudd dominated the game from loose forward, kicking well, not only for goal but with his superb grubber and chip kicks as well.

article by Ian Golden
12 April 2008