Crusaders Colts maintained their position at the top of the Conference National following a hard fought win over their visitors from Holmfirth.

Colts took the lead on ten minutes after Lee Williams dived on a grubber kick in the right hand corner.

The score was doubled ten minutes later when Phil Cushion barged his way over.

Tom Burnell then sold a dummy to ease his way through to score their third try with Lloyd White converting for the first time in the game to make the score 14-0.

Greg Callow was sinbinned for a late tackle giving Rangers an extra man for the remainder of the half.

However it was the Colts who almost scored. Josh Hannam made a decisive run down the wing but failed to notice or pass to an unmarked Lee Williams to his right.

And following an excellent move that was started by strong runs from Gary Williams and Phil Cushion, Chris Vitalini stretched to place the ball under the posts with White adding the extras.

But Rangers had the final say of the first half with two Will Midgley tries, the first when he sneaked past the Colts defence to run home and after constant pressure, diving on a loose ball in the goalmouth to score just on the hooter. Richard Flooks converted successfully on both occasions to put Rangers within eight at the interval.

Crusaders Colts were close twice early in the second half with Jamie I’Anson and Gary Williams both stopped short of the line.

Lee Williams was successful though, running over for his second of the game that Lloyd White converted.

A Richard Flooks try narrowed the gap a little before Tom Senior was yellow carded giving Colts the man advantage.

And straight away, from the penalty Lloyd White ran over converting it himself to secure the win.

Chris Holcombe almost put the icing on

the cake put he was held up over the line following a nice Burnell offload.

Josh Hannam was also denied after receiving a forward pass straight after Rangers were down to 11 men following Matt Stewart’s sending off for dissent.

CRUSADERS COLTS
1.  Ashley Bateman
2.  Josh Hannam
3.  Gary Williams
4.  Lee Williams
5.  Greg Callow
6.  Lloyd White
7.  Steve Williams
8.  Jamie I’Anson
9.  Tom Burnell
10.  Gil Dudson
11.  Chris Holcombe
12.  Lewis Fox
13.  Chris Vitalini
Subs:
14.  Dan Smith
15.  Barrie Phillips
16.  Phil Cushion
17.  Oliver Hughes
Tries: L.Williams (10, 52), Cushion (20), Burnell (26), Vitalini (33), White (71)
Goals: White 4/6
Sinbin: Callow (30, late tackle)

HUDDERSFIELD UNDERBANK RANGERS
1.  Chris Lodge
2.  Richard Flooks
3.  Simon Burkinshaw
4.  Lee St Hilaire
5.  Will Midgley
6.  Anthony Murray
7.  Matt Garside
8.  Matt Stewart
9.  Chris Beal
10.  Dave Valentine
11.  Tom Senior
12.  Napoleoni Vinaka
13.  Darren Hawkyard
Subs:
14.  Tom Stringer
15.  Josh Taylor
16.  Pete Williams
17.  Carl Leach
Tries: Midgley (36, 40), Flooks (58)
Goals: Flooks 2/3
Sinbin: Senior (70)
Red card: Stewart (79, dissent)

Men of the Match:
Colts – Lee Williams
Rangers – Midgley

article by Ian Golden
3 August 2008