Rugby League: Crusaders lifted by Cort’s date with Dewsbury

Mar 21 2008 by Simon Kendal-Williams, South Wales Echo

CELTIC Crusaders head into the unknown territory of National League One with only two injury concerns for today’s historic date with Dewsbury Rams.

Centre Luke Wyatt is still a month away from fitness and second row, Neale Wy,att is out for another fortnight, but coach John Dixon welcomes back centre Mark Dalle Cort for the Brewery Field clash.

The Crusaders have lost just once in 19 outings, a run which secured them last season’s NL2 championship and has seen them qualify for the knockout stages of this season’s Northern Rail Cup, where they meet Halifax on April 6.

They go into the match following an unexpected week off, after last Saturday’s clash with Doncaster was called off due to a waterlogged pitch, but the Welsh side know they face a much tougher challenge this term.

Dewsbury travel to South Wales having won five of their first seven matches, and, like the Crusaders, have reached the final stages of the Northern Rail Cup as group winners.

But coach Andy Kelly believes they need to, and can, play much better in the curtain-raiser, which will be shown live on S4C from 5pm.

“I don’t think we are going into this match in good form,” said Kelly.

“We’re going in with a lot to improve upon.

“We aren’t playing that well, and there is some defensive stuff we need to do better and bits and pieces of our attacking game I’m not happy with.

“We’ll keep adjusting things as we go.”

Dewsbury’s Welsh international Bryn Powell (shoulder) remains on the injury list; David Rourke (fractured thumb) could be available.

Determined to enjoy their first game in rugby league’s second tier, the Crusaders have planned a full day’s entertainment at the Brewery Field.

The club are hosting their first Old Boys reunion and students from Bridgend College will provide additional entertainment, including a samba band and a Welsh haka, with further live music throughout the day.

The day is sponsored by former Pontypridd rugby union player, Greg Ashcroft, who also played for Dewsbury Rams, starring in their 1973 Championship final win when they beat Leeds 22-13 at Odsal.

Crusaders head to Sheffield Eagles on Monday to take on a team they have already beaten twice in their Northern Rail Cup group, and have named the same 20-man squad on duty today.

Crusaders (from): Tony Duggan, Paul Ballard, Josh Hannay, Mark Dalle Cort, Mark Lennon, Anthony Blackwood, Ian Webster, Jace Van Dijk, David Tangata-Toa, Neil Budworth, Jordan James, Chris Beasley, Darren Mapp, Damien Quinn, Terry Martin, Aaron Summers, Jamie I’Anson, Philippe Gardent, Gareth Dean, Ben Flower.

echo.sport@mediawales.co.uk