Crusaders Mark II got underway at the Racecourse Ground on Friday night when they hosted champions Leeds before an encouraging crowd of 10,334.
Now of course, the hard work starts. I have been quite upfront in my views here over the lst few months and I still remain to be convinced however, getting over 10,000 fans in the ground is to be applauded whether this was by free or heavily discounted tickets. And for those people to still turn up despite the snow that had groundstaff battling from mid afternoon is a credit to them.
Just a quick point on the discounts - Widnes opened their turnstiles for a free game last season and from memory around five and a half thousand took the club up on their offer. Other clubs are not so fortunate, you couldn't imagine Batley for example doing that and Leigh would find it difficult with the stipulation that it pays the Sports Village Management a percentage based on gate.
Despite my opinion on the Crusaders and the debate about whatever league they should be in, I have to face facts and say that they are in Super League for the forseeable future despite what I or Leeds centre Keith Senior, or anyone else for that matter says.
The game itself was more interesting than I would have given it credit for. The Crusaders were no respector of reputation and made things difficult from the start. Michael Witt, one of 11 overseas players in the hosts 17-man squad, got the scoreboard moving with an early penalty. The halfback impressed throughout the first half with a good kicking game, while you could tell that Brian Noble had been working hard on the Crusaders chase.
Leeds lacked their usual fluency and there was no Brent Webb or Jamie Peacock. The Rhinos made good inroads a couple of times but had to wait for their first try of the Super League campaign. It came in rather fortunate circumstances when new centre Brett Delaney kicked through and the ball completely nutmegged Nick Youngquest, passing right through the legs of the former Gateshead fullback (he didn't even get a finger on it). Scott Donald touched down and Kevin Sinfield goaled.
Crusaders then levelled when Witt's bomb was worked back by Vince Mellars and wing Gareth Raynor got over in the corner.
Over half an hour of midfield dirge followed before Leeds broke out from deep in their own half. A kick through found deputy fullback Kallum Watkins and the teenager showed good awareness to flick the ball out of the tackle. Play moved swiftly to the right and Delaney fed Danny McGuire for the England international to finish a 90 metre move.
There was no looking back for Leeds and they pressed home their advantage with further tries from Ali Lauititi, Sinfield and Delaney with Sinfield kicking five goals.
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