R League: Crusaders put Broncos back in stable

Jul 9 2007 by Richard Clifford, South Wales Echo

CELTIC Crusaders cruised to an eighth successive win over London Skolars, thanks to an outstanding second-half performance at the Brewery Field.

Skolars, who arrived in Wales one of the division’s form horses, fought hard in the first half but realistically Crusaders were always in control.

Man of the match Paul Ballard went over in the corner for the opening Crusaders try on four minutes.

It took a bit of magic from Duggan and Ballard again for the second try, Duggan the provider as the winger scored in the corner again.

Damien Quinn’s grubber was picked up by Coleman preventing a third try but Neale Wyatt went over just before half-time with Jace Van Dijk converting to make the half-time score 14-0.

Crusaders extended their lead just two minutes after the interval after Van Dijk set up Darren Mapp to run in under the sticks. Van Dijk easily converted.

Ballard followed that up straight from kick-off with a further try to bring up his hat-trick.

Van Dijk set up Mapp for his second on 52 minutes with Van Dijk’s goal putting the score on 30-0.

Wyatt fed Duggan to run in under the sticks for Crusaders’ seventh try with Van Dijk converting and Mark Dalle Cort stormed over from kick-off for his team’s eighth try.

Dean Fitzgerald had a try disallowed as the referee had already blown for a London infringement, but justice was done as Van Dijk went over from the resulting scrum.

Following a short spell of Skolars pressure where Tryfan Edwards was closest to scoring, Ballard notched up his fourth try in exactly the same place as the previous three to bring up the 50.

Crusaders’ operations manager Gerald McCarthy was happy at the win and praised London for their efforts.

“London Skolars are a good side this year,” he said.

“They won three on the trot and held Featherstone well last week so they’re a tough old side. This was the hardest game they’ve given us.”

Crusaders: T Duggan, A Blackwood, R Toshack, M Dalle Cort, P Ballard, L Young, J Van Dijk, T Martin, N Budworth, G Dean, N Wyatt, D Mapp, D Quinn.

Tries: Ballard (4, 32, 45, 68), Wyatt (39), Mapp (42, 52), Duggan (55), Dalle Cort (57), Van Dijk (60). Goals: Van Dijk (5).

Skolars: Tries: C Lynton (73); Goal: P Thorman.

Referee: Chris Dean (Selby).

Attendance: 807.