By Zippy
July 10 2006

Match review as the Celtic Crusaders got back to winning ways against Hunslet to go up to third place in the league. For details read on.

By Ian Golden  - http://www.sportingwales.com/artman/publish/article_8446.shtml

Messageboard discussion thread - http://www.sportnetwork.net/boards/read/s165.php?f=204&i=11686&t=11686&sid=165

HUNSLET HAWKS 12 CELTIC CRUSADERS 34

Celtic Crusaders put on a vintage second half performance to soundly beat Hunslet Hawks 34-12 at the John Charles Stadium on Sunday to move up to third place in LHF Healthplan National League Two.

The Crusaders didn’t have things all their way though. Hunslet admirably held them in the first half, restricting the higher placed side a sole score. But five tries in the second period enabled the Crusaders to walk away with both points to put them in a confident mood for the crucial home match against Barrow Raiders at the Brewery Field next Sunday where they will be officially launching their junior supporters club.

Crusaders’ Operations Manager, Gerald McCarthy said: “I was pleased with the lads’ performance today. We played some great rugby and had to battle hard for our win. We look forward to entertaining our passionate home support at the Brewery Field once again next Sunday.”

Darren Robinson forced his way over the line to give Hunslet the lead in the third minute. Tony Williams converted. They could have had a second soon after but Robinson’s kick was too far for George Rayner to dive onto.

Crusaders attempted to hit back straight away but a move involving Michael Ryan, Jace Van Dijk and Tony Duggan ended with Damien Quinn’s pass going astray and Luke Young knocked on from a poor pass as he was close to the line.

Ian Brown was penalised for a high tackle on Phil Cushion, leading to another Crusaders attack – one that they didn’t waste – Ryan set up Quinn who pulled a fine dummy to weave his way through the Hunslet backline to score.

Robinson was sinbinned for dissent following the try giving the Crusaders an extra man for ten minutes, but it was Hunslet who attacked but failed to cross the line thanks to the strength of Gareth Dean, Hywel Davies and Phil Cushion who were the main men keeping the Hawks out for a full set. Van Dijk also made a try saving tackle on the speedy Chris Redfearn who threatened to break through while Paul Morgan did likewise on the other side of the park, pulling George Rayner into touch.

Crusaders stepped up a gear after the interval and showed the brilliance that their strong away following had been used to seeing all season. Young kicked a grubber but Morgan couldn’t quite latch onto it. However as the ball rebounded off a Hunslet player, a goal-line drop-out was awarded. This was repeated after a Van Dijk kick and this time the Crusaders made no mistake as Quinn ran through for his and Crusaders’ second to put them into a 10-6 lead on 46 minutes.

Luke Young ran straight through the defence like a knife through butter three minutes later for Crusaders’ third try before setting up Michael Ryan for another on 54 minutes. Quinn easily converted both.

Hunslet’s Anthony Gibbons was then sinbinned for dissent which sparked an unusual reaction from the winger who started shouting abuse at a section of the crowd in reaction to words that had been thrown down at him.

But once again this seemed to spur Hunslet on and it was Andy Shickell who was next on the scoresheet, diving in for the Hawks’ second try on 62 minutes which Williams duly converted.

However, Crusaders struck back straight away with a fine move on the left wing. Richard Johnson and Paul Morgan created the gap and Tony Duggan ran the ball in from 30 metres. Quinn converted to put the score on 28-12.

Jace Van Dijk wrapped things up with three minutes to go as he ran the ball in under the sticks from a scrum on the ten metre line that Quinn easily converted to put the final score on 34-12.

Hawks: Mark Sibson, George Rayner, Anthony Gibbons, David Foster, Mark Cunningham, Tony Williams, Mark Moxon, Andy Shickell, Darren Robinson, Wayne freeman, Ian Brown, Will Cartledge, Chris Redfearn. Subs: Mark Cass, Paul Seal, Karl Gunney, Danny Cook.

Tries: Robinson (3), Shickell (62)

Goals: Williams 2/2

Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Carl de Chenu, Richard Johnson, Damien Quinn, Paul Morgan, Luke Young, Jace Van Dijk, Hywel Davies, Michael Ryan, Phil Cushion, Ryan Barton, Aled James, Gareth Dean. Subs: Lee Jones, Geraint Davies, Karl Hocking, Dean Scully.

Tries: Quinn (18, 46), Young (49), Ryan (54), Duggan (66), Van Dijk (76)

Goals: Quinn 5/6

Referee: Mike Dawber

Man of the Match: Damien Quinn

Half-time: 6-4

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
1	Dewsbury	14	12	0	2	470	219	24
2	Sheffield	14	10	0	4	455	296	20
3	Celtic Crusaders	14	9	1	4	506	263	19
4	Featherstone	14	9	1	4	410	341	19
5	Swinton	14	9	0	5	415	317	18
6	Barrow	14	8	0	6	369	307	16
7	Gateshead	14	8	0	6	363	324	16
8	Workington	13	5	0	8	300	398	10
9	Hunslet	14	4	1	9	259	354	9
10	Blackpool	14	3	1	10	226	481	7
11	Keighley	14	2	1	11	278	443	5
12	London Skolars	13	1	1	11	214	522	3