Rugby League: Crusaders pull out Halifax in Northern Rail

Mar 17 2008 South Wales Echo

CELTIC Crusaders have been drawn away to Halifax in the first knockout stage of the Northern Rail Cup.

The Yorkshire side, whose director of rugby is Welsh coach Martin Hall, knocked the Crusaders out of last year’s competition in the quarter-finals.

The match will be played on the weekend of April 3-6 with this match being the among the favourites to be shown live on Sky Sports.

The Crusaders still officially have one match left to play in the group stages following the postponement of their home match against Doncaster on Saturday evening.

However this match may not be replayed as Crusaders and Doncaster have both qualified for the last 16 already with Doncaster assured of being one of the best third-placed sides even if they lose to the Crusaders. A decision on this is expected be made by the RFL this week.

Hundreds of fans were already packed inside the Brewery Field bars watching the Welsh rugby union side lift the Grand Slam title when the news of the postponement broke.

“It was disappointing not to play,” said Crusaders’ operations manager Gerald McCarthy.

“But the safety of the players was at stake here.

“There was water everywhere.

“This was dangerous for the players and we just couldn’t risk it.

“ We now have to concentrate on getting the pitch ready for the National League One opener against Dewsbury on Good Friday.”

The match at the Brewery Field kicks off at 5.10pm and can be seen live on S4C.

The fourth annual under-16 international between Wales and England precedes it and kicks off at 2.30pm.