By Ian Golden
April 22 2007

The Celtic Crusaders made the quarter finals of the Northern Rail Cup with a 28 - 14 win over Hunslet Hawks played in Dewsbury. For details read on HUNSLET HAWKS 14 CELTIC CRUSADERS 28

By Ian Golden - http://www.crusadersrl.com

played at Tetley’s Stadium, Dewsbury

With 11 Welshmen in their squad, Celtic Crusaders battled hard to beat Hunslet Hawks 28-14 to storm through to the quarter-finals of the Northern Rail Cup.

Crusaders’ Operations Manager Gerald McCarthy said: “I’m really happy at the win today. We fielded five lads from our academy today to give them the experience and they came through with flying colours. They’ll all be pushing for a place in the side for the Swinton match in Bridgend next Saturday.”

Coach John Dixon chose to make eight changes from the squad who hammered Keighley 62-12 last week and despite an early hiccup when Hunslet’s Steve Morton scored after less than two minutes, his young side didn’t let him down.

The Welsh side took the lead on eight minutes when Darren Mapp opened up a space for Richard Johnston who ran home. Great Britain under-18 captain Lee Williams added the extras.

A try from Jamie I’Anson coupled with a Williams conversion extended their lead to 12-4 on 13 minutes but Hunslet hit back less than five minutes later when Danny Ekis dived over and Darren Robinson converted.

Crusaders should have had another try on 25 minutes. Anthony Blackwood ran 40 metres but was tackled ten metres from goal. From the next play, Dean Fitzgerald was held up over the line when under pressure but had he laid the ball off to Williams, the Port Talbot-born winger would have had a clear run to score.

Hunslet attempted to regain the lead but plans were thwarted when Williams and Duggan forced Morton into touch to preventing him running to glory while a pick up from Johnston prevented another Hawks try following a fine run from Andy Robinson.

While the first half was a tight affair, the Crusaders’ superior fitness showed in the second period, just as it has done all season.

They extended their lead ten minutes into the second half when Tony Duggan latched onto the end of a Johnston grubber. Williams converted again.

Duggan added his second to seal the game on 65 minutes following some intense Hunslet pressure. Williams’ kick gave the Welsh a 14-point advantage.

Welsh international Anthony Blackwood put the icing on the cake of a hard-fought second half performance for the visitors when he broke through to score with seven minutes remaining.

But the home side who had the final say when Darren Robinson ran in a try with seconds remaining but it was purely consolation for the South Leeds outfit..

HAWKS: Matt Bramald, Andy Robinson, Dave Foster, Eddie Mack, Steve Morton, Mark Moxon, Matt Firth, Danny Ekis, Gareth Greenwood, Wayne Freeman, Danny Cook, Will Cartledge, Darren Robinson. Subs: David Gibbons, Mark Holmes, Gareth Naylor, Matty Carbutt.

Tries: Morton (1), Ekis (17), D. Robinson (79)
Goals: D. Robinson 1/3

CRUSADERS: Richard Johnston, Lee Williams, Dean Fitzgerald, Paul Ballard, Owen Lewis, Anthony Blackwood, Tony Duggan, Hywel Davies, Andy Boothroyd, Jamie I’Anson, Geraint Davies, Chris Beasley, Darren Mapp. Subs: Tom Burnell, Lee Jones, Gareth Dean, Chris Vitalini.

Tries: Johnston (8), I’Anson (13), Duggan (50, 65), Blackwood (73)
Goals: Williams 4/5

Referee: Michael Dawber (Warrington)
Man of the Match: Duggan (Crusaders)
Half-time: 10-12
Match Rating: 2/5
Weather: Cloudy