Celtic Crusaders 28 Featherstone Rovers 18 Whatever happens with Franchise applications no-one could ever accuse Celtic Crusaders of lacking ideas to further their cause. A rumoured 14,000 tickets given away locally plus a sprinkling of SL followers meant a very respectable crowd of over 6000 was gathered at Brewers Field as I arrived after six hours of bank holiday traffic. On top of the tickets, Celtic had provided free T-shirts for those who wanted them, to wear over their own shirt promoting the SL application and giving the appearance that the ground was crammed with Crusaders supporters. Celtic kicked off and from the first set it was obvious that Rovers were ready for a more open game than the weather had allowed recently, spreading the ball and looking to release from the tackle. On the Crusaders first set Rovers survived a strong challenge as Blackwood made a break down the left and if he had seen his supporting players it could well have led to a try. In the end Quinn knocked on as he tried to catch his own kick through. In fact, Rovers were the team to open the scoring. After Celtic threw the ball into touch as they made little progress up the field, Rovers gained possession and, after a penalty for interference, Stuart popped the ball over for the first two points. The first try, though, went to Celtic when Quinn managed to pass the ball, as he was tap tackled, to the supporting player, Jordan James, who scored under the sticks for a six pointer. Celtic knocked on when running the ball back from the kick off and Rovers used A really good set by Rovers where the ball was spread well to both sides of the field ended with an up and under taken by the defending winger. This should have relieved the pressure but a knock on on the second tackle gave back possession to Featherstone and they ran in another good set of six. 20 minutes gone and Rovers were well worth their lead as they constantly gained ground with a mixture of hard running and excellent use of the full attacking line. Andy Kain nearly intercepted a wayward pass with the way to the line open but he couldn't hold on the ball. As he threw the ball to the floor in exasperation with himself Mr Hicks, who generally had a good game, curiously awarded a penalty. Another penalty straight after this for offside was accepted by Crusaders and Mark Lennon duly kicked the goal to level the scores. Crusaders started to give the ball more air now and only good Rovers defence Rovers looked as if they could extend the lead soon afterwards. A break through the middle by Tommy Saxton was supported by Gavin Swinson but Blackwood managed to overhaul Gavin and the attack came to nothing. Another set when Crusaders immediately knocked on came to an end when Jamie Field's pass was just too far in front of Andy Kirk as the line beckoned. The last minute in the half was to be prove decisive. A break by Celtic fullback Duggan was stopped when he was tap tackled by Wayne McHugh and finished off by Saxton and Wilson. Duggan cleverly clamped Tommy's arm long enough for the referee to decide a penalty should be awarded. Celtic ran the ball and on the hooter kicked for the corner. Blackwood won the chase and dropped on the ball to score in the corner. No conversion so Rovers went in for half time with only a small lead. Crusaders came out for the second half with their tails up. On their very first attack they made ground, helped with a penalty for holding, off the ball, and on the last tackle a grubber by Van Dijk bounced kindly for Quinn to score between the sticks and Lennon to convert. Less than 2 minutes of rugby spread either side of the half time interval and a six point lead becomes a four point deficit. A good kick off was carried dead by Darren Mapp and Rovers were once more on the attack but again the defence was too strong. Not for long though. Back to back sets when Celtic knocked on an attempted interception led to the ball being Rovers attempted to keep the pressure on as Loz made 30 yards from a tap out but the final kick went straight to a defender. The ball was then spread wide by Celtic as they scored the best try of the game. Dalle Cort made a break down the left centre, released the ball to Quinn who was overhauled by Tommy Saxton but as he fell was able to turn and pass to the supporting Duggan who had been a thorn in Rovers' side all evening. Lennon once more converted and Rovers were behind yet again. With Tiger limping and mistakes being too frequently made, Rovers were still working hard but were finding it difficult to hold breaks by the likes of Duggan, Quinn and Blackwood. As the first quarter had seen Rovers in the ascendancy so this last quarter saw the Crusaders on top. Rovers still battled and were unlucky on one attack not to receive a penalty when the ball was stripped from Tony Tonks. Soon after, a quick kick on first play from a scrum was knocked dead as Duggan won the race with Wayne McHugh.
The hooter went soon after and Rovers were left with a bonus point but no more. But how they had battled. They had driven through the middle, spread the ball wide, slipped the ball out of the tackle, passed well along a line to players stretching for the ball at speed and certainly answered a lot of their critics. If they had managed to produce the kicking game they did last week against Dewsbury, all this effort might have had more reward. Worth the journey? 'Course it was.
Half Time 12-14 Referee Mr R Hicks Scoring sequence 0-2, 4-2, 6-2, 6-6, 6-8, 8-8, 8-12, 8-14, 12-14, 16-14, 18-14, 18-18, 22-18, 24-18, 28-18 Game breaker: Back to back tries either side of half time gave Celtic the lift in spirits they needed. Crowd 6152 © 2008 Stuart Lonsdale Any comments (constructive criticism welcomed) or volunteers please email webmaster@featherstonerovers.net |
the possession well. After drives by Tommy Haughey and Stuart Dickens the ball was spread well to the left and a miss pass from Andy Kain found Wayne McHugh cutting in and knocking defenders off to score. Stuart failed to convert, but on the next set as we made good ground a penalty was awarded for a high shot and Stuart's kick was straight through the middle. Rovers back in the lead. 
on the fringes kept them out, but Rovers were also making good ground and both teams came close. The stale mate ended with an excellent try by Tiger Handforth. He first passed to Tommy Haughey who was well tackled, but as he fell he was able to untangle his arm and flick the ball up for Tiger to catch it on the bounce and score close enough to the sticks to give Stuart an easy conversion. Rovers back in the lead. 
spread to the left wing. A gutsy run by Scott Wilson was eventually halted but Gavin Swinson twisted over from acting half to score Rovers third try. Stuart's kick slipped the wrong side of the post but once again the scores were level. 
The game was finally put out of sight when, after a penalty, Mapp broke through the line to put Blacklock in for a try in the corner. Lennon missed this one and the scoring was finished for the game although Rovers came close when the ball was spread wide to Waine Pryce only for that man Duggan to produce a try saving tackle in the corner. 
