R League: Celtic put Knights to the sword

Jul 2 2007 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

CELTIC Crusaders won a hard-fought game against York City Knights at the Brewery Field on Saturday night to keep up the pressure on Featherstone and Barrow at the top of the Co-operative National League Two table.

The Crusaders never really looked like losing and their coach John Dixon was happy with their performance.

“I thought we were pretty much in control from the outset,” he said.

“We’ve secured a good win here and once again prevented our opposition from securing a bonus point, so it was a pretty good result for us.”

Anthony Blackwood went on the charge down the right wing looking for the first try of the game but his hopeful pass was intercepted.

Following a fine set of passes on the fifth tackle, Damien Quinn went through the defence to ground under the sticks before converting his own try.

The Crusaders increased their lead on 17 minutes when Tony Duggan broke through to score under the sticks. Quinn’s kick made it 12-0.

Switching wings, Anthony Blackwood ran over half the length of the pitch to ground in the corner soon after to make it 16-0.

Josh Cale had a try ruled out after Hywel Davies’ pass to him was considered to have been made after the tackle was completed.

Knights got a try back from the resulting penalty. After working their way up field, James Elston scored under the sticks. Danny Grimshaw converted to make it 16-6.

Rob Toshack was close to another Crusaders’ try but was just short of the line before the hooter went.

York were first off the mark in the second half as Lee Mapals intercepted a Paul Ballard pass to run in. Grimshaw converted.

But Quinn and Duggan linked up once again for the full-back to run in for his second of the game just five minutes later.

Man of the match Blackwood went over for his second four minutes after that to give the Crusaders a two-try cushion.

An excellent individual try from Mapals, his second of the match, brought York back into the game and they were unlucky not to have another back as Dave Buckley’s try was ruled out for a forward pass.

But Crusaders sealed things with 11 minutes remaining when Neil Budworth fed Paul Ballard who dived home. Jace Van Dijk’s conversion was successful to put the final score on 30-16 to deny York a bonus point.

Dixon added: “I thought our outside backs, Anthony Blackwood, Paul Ballard and Tony Duggan all had a good game for us.

“While up front Phil Cushion, Gareth Dean, Hywel Davies and Josh Cale also did well.

“It was a pleasing result all round.”

Celtic Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Anthony Blackwood, Rob Toshack, Mark Dalle Cort, Paul Ballard, Damien Quinn, Jace Van Dijk, Josh Cale, Neil Budworth, Gareth Dean, Chris Beasley, Darren Mapp, Neale Wyatt

Subs: Grant Epton, Terry Martin, Hywel Davies, Phil Cushion

Tries: Quinn (6), Duggan (17, 50), Blackwood (30, 54), Ballard (69)

Goals: Quinn (2), Van Dijk.

York City Knights: Jonny Liddell, Lee Mapals, Mark Spurr, Chris Spurr, Tom Burton, Scott Rhodes, Danny Grimshaw, Neil Lowe, Jamaine Wray, Adam Sullivan, Dave Buckley, Nathan Priestley, Rob Spicer

Subs: James Elston, Stephen Grundy, Ryan MacDonald, Toby Williams

Tries: Elston (36), Mapals (45, 57)

Goals: Grimshaw (2)

Attendance: 702