photo by Ian Lovell

Salford City Reds remain top of the Co-operative National League One table after beating Celtic Crusaders 24-22 in a very entertaining and competitive match at The Willows on Thursday night.

The Welsh side were outscored five tries to four but they were never out of the match, the scores were close enough to earn them a bonus point and they were unfortunate not to have scored a fifth try in the last minute that would have won them the game.

Crusaders took the lead after only four minutes. Neale Wyatt picked up a stray pass from Neil Budworth at dummy half and the loose forward used his strength to weave through and force his way over the line. Lennon converted.

It was 12-0 in as many minutes as Crusaders scored their second try with a perfect move on the final tackle of a set. Jace Van Dijk lobbed the ball superbly into the goal area and Damien Quinn outran all the Salford backline and caught the ball well to score under the sticks. Welsh international Lennon had no problems adding the extras.

There could have been a further try straight from kick-off but Stuart Littler intercepted Budworth’s pass that was aimed for Van Dijk.

Salford got a try back from the resulting set. Richard Myler did well to make the metres and Philip Leuluai grounded. Jordan Turner missed what seemed to be a simple conversion.

The home side scored a second try on 19 minutes after Paul White beat Mark Lennon to the ball following a long Van Dijk kick, and the Salford winger ran over 60 metres to the line. Turner again failed to add the extras so Crusaders kept a four-point lead.

White almost got a second try soon after when he again put pressure on Lennon to win the ball. But this time, Lennon won the battle as White was forced into touch.

Crusaders scored again just before the half hour. Tony Duggan slipped the ball to Jordan James and the Welsh international prop turned on the pace and ran 45 metres to the line. Lennon converted again.

Salford struck back just before half-time, but it took them three consecutive sets to score. The tackle count went back to zero twice with the Crusaders defensive line holding firm. But finally, after 15 tackles, Stuart Littler showed his skill to twist over the line. Papua New Guinean international John Wilshire, back after injury, converted to narrow Crusaders’ lead to four at the interval.

The Reds opened the scoring early in the

second half when White picked up Duggan’s grubber and ran 70 metres to score under the sticks. Wilshire’s kick gave Salford the lead for the first time in the game.

Lennon had an opportunity to get a try back for the Crusaders but Van Dijk’s kick to him slipped into touch just before the winger caught the ball.

But Salford scored again on the hour after Wilshire took advantage of a lucky bounce and picked up the ball to run over.

Crusaders attempted to get a try back. Josh Hannay was close but was held up metres from the line. However they eventually went over when Gareth Dean set up Mark Dalle Cort to score. Lennon failed to level things as his conversion went agonisingly wide.

Salford’s Malcolm Alker was sinbinned with two minutes remaining following a fight and while Crusaders attempted to take advantage of the extra man, the referee controversially called a knock-on against Darren Mapp and that was the Welsh side’s last chance.

Crusaders coach John Dixon was disappointed but knew how close the game was.

“It was tough to come here and put in as much effort and endeavour as we did today and come away with a narrow loss,” he said.  “We’re just finding our feet in this league and Salford are leading the competition so to come here and play as well as we did today was a credit to us. We’re disappointed because there were times that we could have won that game.

“Things are going pretty well for us at the moment despite tonight’s defeat. We’ve put in some good performances recently and played well. We have to make sure we keep the momentum going and next Saturday against Widnes in the Northern Rail Cup would be a good place to start.”

SALFORD CITY REDS: Karl Fitzpatrick, John Wilshire, Stuart Littler, Matt Gardner, Paul White, Robbie Paul,  Richard Myler, Philip Leuluai, Malcolm Alker, Lee Jewitt, Ian Sibbit, Luke Adamson, Jordan Turner. Subs (all used) Stephen Ratchford, Adam Sidlow, Andrew Brocklehurst, Paul Highton.

Tries: Leuluai (14), White (19, 42), Littler (36), Wilshire (59)
Goals: Turner 0/2, Wilshire 2/2

CELTIC CRUSADERS: Tony Duggan, Mark Lennon, Josh Hannay, Mark Dalle Cort, Anthony Blackwood, Damien Quinn, Jace Van Dijk, Jordan James, Neil Budworth, Gareth Dean, Chris Beasley, Darren Mapp, Neale Wyatt. Subs: Aaron Summers, Ian Webster, Jamie I’Anson, David Tangata-Toa.

Tries: Wyatt (4), Quinn (11), James (29), Dalle Cort (69)
Goals: Lennon 3/4

Referee: Jamie Leahy (Dewsbury)
Attendance: 3,438
Half-time: 14-18

article by Ian Golden
15 May 2008