Rugby League: Crusaders hold on to win

Mar 22 2008 by Staff Reporter, Western Mail

Celtic Crusaders 14-12 Dewsbury Rams

COACH John Dixon was delighted as the Celtic Crusaders began their National League One season by beating Dewsbury Rams at the Brewery Field last night.

A match marred by heavy rain turned into a mistake-riddled encounter but Dixon said, “It was an uncompromising game for both sets of players but that is a great win for us.

“Dewsbury are a tough side so to get the victory was a terrific achievement. The ball handling from both sides was excellent.”

The Crusaders raced into a 12-2 half-time lead and everything seemed to be going their way. Centre Josh Hannay put them ahead after a penalty from Dewsbury’s loose-forward Patrick Walker early on.

Hannay took a nice ball in the middle from scrum-half Jace Van Dijk to go under the posts. Australian Van Dijk then added a try after a superb 30-metre dash, having been set up by wing Paul Ballard. But if the Crusaders have any hope of making a mark in this league, they cannot afford to go off the boil as they did for the rest of the game.

Dewsbury went over twice through full-back Mark Field and second row Alex Bretherton, with one Liam Finn conversion putting the Yorkshiremen just two points behind with five minutes left.

And the game swung on a couple of vital try decisions as Dewsbury hooker Finn was denied a touchdown that would have put his side ahead before Van Dijk went over under the posts only for referee Mike Dawber to rule it out.

Celtic Crusaders: Tries – J Hannay, J Van Dijk; cons – M Lennon (2); pen – M Lennon

Dewsbury Rams: Tries – M Field, A Bretherton; con – L Finn; pen – P Walker