photo by Ian Lovell

Celtic Crusaders were 30 seconds away from winning the Co-operative National League One title before a John Wilshire penalty forced extra-time denying the Welsh club a dramatic victory in their final game in their three-year journey to Super League.

Despite the defeat, 2008 has been a fantastic year for Welsh Rugby League.

Wales had already won trophies this year before today.

The year started with a Home Nations win with Wales A taking the four-team tournament for the sixth year in seven beating the second string from England, Ireland and Scotland on the way.

The Welsh under 18 side continued things by winning the European Under 18 championships with convincing victories over Czech Republic, England (again) and France.

The best of our country’s students did well in the World Cup at their level, reaching the semi-finals and performing admirably against the giants from down under, New Zealand and eventual winners Australia.

And of course, a few hours before this game, Crusaders Colts, a team made up of the best of the young Welsh talent who will playing in Super League reserves next year, beat Bramley Buffaloes 26-4 to take the Conference National title.

However there is still one chapter left in this marvellous year for Welsh Rugby League as Wales take on England in a friendly in Doncaster on Friday 10th October. Dixon, who is also the coach of Wales, is expected to name his squad for the big game on Tuesday.

It’s never been so good to be a sports fan in Wales especially in rugby league and despite this defeat to Salford, it’s been a fantastic three-year journey for the club that has eventually led to Super League.

In 2006, the Crusaders were a drop-goal away from a National League Two Play-off final place, last year they won National League Two at a canter after 13 consecutive victories at the end of the season.

And now this year, despite five wins in their previous five games, including two against Salford, the Crusaders didn’t quite have enough to take the National League One title.

Celtic Crusaders and Salford had already been given Super League licences by the Rugby Football League. This decision, made in July, meant that the two clubs already knew that they were competing at the highest level between 2009 and 2012. While that decision was based a lot on an off-field application, the two clubs have now proved their worth by reaching this Final after finishing in the top two at the end of the regular season.

The games between the two were tied at two wins apiece before kick-off so this game made was the ultimate decider.

And it took extra-time for the teams to be separated this time as 80 minutes refused decide things between the two giants.

Salford opened the scoring after five minutes when Paul White intercepted Josh Hannay’s pass and ran unchallenged to the line.

There was almost a second try five minutes later. After forcing a goal-line drop-out, Salford made good use of their set of six and Craig Stapleton, under pressure tried to force his way over the line. After going to the video referee the try was disallowed due to some excellent Crusaders defending that held Stapleton up.

Straight away, Crusaders thought they’d scored. Luke Dyer picked up a trademark Van Dijk kick and looked to have scored in the corner but the referee again went to Ashley Klein in the video box and the try was ruled out thanks to an obstruction offence.

Salford increased their lead on 27 minutes, again with a decision that had to be decided using the rugby league-invented video technology. There was no forward pass as Matt Gardner went over in the corner after a passing move involving Robbie Paul, Richard Myler and John Wilshire.

From kick-off, Ashley Klein was put to work straight away as Salford wasted a chance to go further ahead. Gardner should have really scored a second try

but dropped the ball as he stumbled to the line.

But Crusaders hit back just before the half-time hooter after Welsh international Anthony Blackwood scored almost a replica of Salford’s previous try. He was set up by Mark Dalle Cort following excellent work from Damien Quinn and Josh Hannay.

After forcing a goal-line drop-out, Crusaders opened the second half scoring with a well deserved and well worked try. Van Dijk was stopped short of the line and from the next play, Luke Dyer scored in the corner after fine build-up from Ian Webster, Neale Wyatt, Damien Quinn and Mark Lennon.

Ashley Klein had his work cut out and was called on for that try… and most others until the end of the game.

As cries of “Wales, Wales” rang out from the record Crusaders away following, from kick-off, Crusaders again worked a fine set of six that culminated in Welsh international Jordan James forcing his way under the posts. Lennon kicked Crusaders’ first successful goal of the game to put the Welsh four points ahead.

Salford almost levelled things. Robbie Paul opened up a gap for Paul White who sprinted through to look to get his second. However Tony Duggan was too fast for him and made an excellent try-saving tackle. Neil Budworth supporting him to complete the tackle for good measure.

But the Manchester club weren’t to be denied as they levelled things with 17 minutes remaining. Jordan Turner set up Karl Fitzpatrick who happily ran through. Wilshire had an easy goal to put them back in the lead.

Crusaders went back into the lead four minutes later after David Tangata-Toa intercepted a Stefan Ratchford pass and ran faster than he’s ever run before, 55 metres to the line (Ben Thaler of course called on Klein to double check before awarding the score). Crucially Lennon missed the kick and Crusaders were just two points up.

Salford were denied a try a few moments later after Klein ruled out a Fitzpatrick effort when he was held up over the line.

They battled for a further try but solid Crusaders defence kept them out, the highlight being Anthony Blackwood with a try-saving catch following a Myler bomb.

The drama continued until the final seconds when Salford were awarded a penalty after Darren Mapp was penalised for holding down Richard Myler. Wilshire’s long-range kick was good and extra time was forced.

Salford drew first blood in extra time through an Ian Sibbit try. White followed him over for his second of the game soon after. Wilshire converted both to put them 12-points up at the interval.

The Reds attempted to seal things in the second half of extra time by going for the drop goal. Jordan James blocked a Fitzpatrick attempt while Myler also had a go but his kick went wide.

And they wrapped things up in the final minute after a 50 metre Myler run which Wilshire converted to give the Reds a very flattering scoreline.

John Dixon said: “That was a scoreline that blew out at end. But credit to Salford for that. With 20 seconds to go, we’d won the game. However it’s been a fantastic season and we took away a lot of positives from today. We defended really well for long periods of time but Salford probably did little more with chances they had. It’s been a fantastic season but we’ll have to be stronger next year. We’ll probably be finalising our squad for Super League 2009 this week.”

CRUSADERS: Tony Duggan, Luke Dyer, Josh Hannay, Mark Dalle Cort, Anthony Blackwood, Damien Quinn, Jace Van Dijk, Jordan James, Neil Budworth, David Tangata-Toa, Chris Beasley, Darren Mapp, Terry Martin. Subs: Aaron Summers, Ian Webster, Mark Lennon, Neale Wyatt.
Tries: Blackwood (39), Dyer (53), James (55), Tangata-Toa (67)
Goals: Hannay 0/1, Lennon 1/3

SALFORD: Karl Fitzpatrick, Matt Gardner, Stuart Littler, John Wilshere, Paul White, Robbie Paul, Richard Myler, Paul Highton, Malcolm Alker, Craig Stapleton, Ian Sibbit, Luke Adamson, Jordan Turner. Subs: Stefan Ratchford, Stephen Bannister, Lee Jewitt, Phil Leuluai.
Tries: White (5, 86), Gardner (27), Fitzpatrick (63), Sibbit (83), Myler (36)
Goals: Wilshire 6/7

Referee: Ben Thaler
Half-time: 4-10
Full-time (80 minutes): 18-18
Half-time in extra-time: 18-30
Attendance: 7,104

article by Ian Golden
28 September 2008