R League: Skolars a stiff test for Crusaders

Jul 7 2007 by Richard Clifford, South Wales Echo

CELTIC Crusaders are facing their toughest game against London Skolars in their two-year history of clashes, when the sides meet at the Brewery Field this evening in Co-operative National League Two (6pm).

This will be the Crusaders’ eighth encounter against the Skolars, with the Welsh side winning all seven previous games, but the Londoners arrive at the Brewery Field following the best month ever in their six-year professional history.

June saw them win three games on the trot for the very first time and they held Featherstone Rovers close last week, before the league leaders eventually pulled away for a 30-10 win.

This success has been recognised by Rugby League World magazine who named three of their players in their National League Two team of the month for June.

Crusaders’ coach John Dixon realises that his side will be in a competitive game tonight.

Dixon said: “All reports I get from London, along with videos of them playing shows that they are a team that’s in form.

“They went to Featherstone hoping to score a win up there and although they didn’t get one, it looked like they played well again.

“We’ll really have to be up on our game this week.”

However, London will be facing an equally on-form Crusaders side who had a good month of June themselves after securing fine wins over promotion rivals Featherstone, Barrow, Workington and York, keeping them in the run for that sole automatic promotion place.

The Welsh side even managed a rarity in rugby league last week by fielding an unchanged side.

For the Crusaders it was the first time since the end of 2006 that they’d accomplished this feat, but there will be two changes to the side that faces London.

Phil Cushion is out with a knee injury, while Chris Beasley took a knock to the ribs in last week’s30-16 win over York City Knights.

Dixon has named a squad of 20 for the match with five players in contention for the two remaining spots with Jamie I’Anson, Dean Fitzgerald, Richard Johnston, Luke Young and Geraint Davies all in with a chance of making the final 17.

The Brewery Field gates will be open at 4pm as the Crusaders have planned a Family Day with plenty of attractions for everyone to enjoy before the match.

Crusaders (from): T Duggan, A Blackwood, R Toshack, M Dalle Cort, P Ballard, D Quinn, J Van Dijk, J Cale, N Budworth, G Dean, D Mapp, N Wyatt, G Epton, T Martin, H Davies, J I’Anson, Dean Fitzgerald, R Johnston, L Young, G Davies.