Entry 40, 16th December 2010.
It has been an interesting few days in rugby league with three particular issues for me to get my teeth into.
First of all Crusaders RL: While I am glad that the Crusaders have emerged from administration to reform I feel it is unfair that where other teams have had to suffer the equivilent point deduction of 3 wins, Crusaders have been deducted two wins or four points. The RFL has explained that the difference is down to the fact that the new club has agreed to inherit a good chunk of debt which the old club amassed and will pay this off. I would guess that the part of the debt to be serviced is the rumoured £500,000 owed to the Rugby League itself who stepped in to help run the crisis torn club during their first season in Super League.
The RFL will also do everything in its power to ensure a Welsh presence in the top division due to the revelations a couple of weeks ago that the country will co-host the 2013 World Cup Event.
While I can see the merits of having such an expansion team in Super League and I truly wish them well, the RFL has to ensure that it is not showing preferential treatment. I would also like to see more English and Welsh lads in their squad next season as opposed to their squad at times being more New South Wales than Wales!
Next on the agenda, England Academy. I applaud and salute the efforts of the England Academy squad in overcoming the Aussie Schoolboys 2-0 in the recent test series. Having been present and had the fortune to report on the first game of the series, the England side was well drilled, ultra committed, skilful and patient. All seventeen players on that day, and indeed the people in the squad can feel proud of their achievements and many of those lads should form the backbone of the 2013 England team for the World Cup. That said, how many will get the opportunity?
Afterall, would we all be talking about Sam Tomkins if Tim Smith hadn't got injured at Wigan? It's a travesty if some of these young guys paths are blocked. It's now a case of these boys pushing through the glass ceiling and being given their heads and time to make an impact at first team level. In my opinion George Burgess can emulate his two older brothers while Adam Milner looks a good prospect at hooker and Sam Powell and Gareth O'Brien are two very useful halfbacks pushing through. Out in the centres, Jordan Thompson of Castleford looks the part and the teenager made 15 appearances in the first team at the Jungle last term, also scoring 4 tries.
It is with sadness that I read today about the Tigers signing Willie Isa, a 21 year old Samoan centre or winger from Melbourne Storm for the season. What is wrong with giving young Thompson more game time? This shows everything that is wrong with the game over here and is probably the reason why more Australian Schoolboy players end up in the NRL - they are given a chance.
And finally, for now! Scottish Football's announcement on a re-evaluation of their league structure.
Readers of my blog over the last few weeks will have seen my musings about the lower leagues and it seems that all is not well in Scottish Football either where as well as the country shivering to a halt in recent days, the two big Glasgow clubs of Rangers and Celtic dominate year in, year out with teams being relegated from the top flight struggling financially for years after relegation or subsequent promotion campaigns.
The Scottish FA have a proposal to run two fully professional 12 team top divisions with everyone below that playing on a regional basis. My own thoughts on the way Rugby League in the semi-pro Championships would operate echo this, although it falls down somewhat through only having 21 clubs and only 7 on the red side of the Pennines if you include the Cumbrian teams too. Next season bar a game against Swinton, and Widnes, Leigh's closest rivals in georaphical terms are across the great divide in Halifax. For me the Championships are three clubs short of the ideal number, although I still think there is value in everyone playing each other in their own league twice and every team in the other league once.
I must admit that three years on I am still against franchising. It is artificial and hasn't done what it said it would do. I think to a certain extent it has killed Championship rugby and I will be amazed if clubs can retain a 2500 average once the drawbridge is pulled up next season. I fully expect Widnes to be given the nod for Super League but what then for the rest of us?
The RFL have recently opened another online consultation to find out fans views on a regionalised pyramid structure for the amateur leagues that are going to run and I will watch for the results with interest.
Showing posts with label Crusaders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Crusaders. Show all posts
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Sunday, 14 November 2010
#rugbyleague BLOG 2010/11: RL Comment: Panthers booted out, Crusaders in administration
Entry 12. 14th November 2010
Despite New Zealand giving everyone involved in Rugby League outside Australia a boost, my attention was switched back to domestic matters at the end of last week with two pieces of news. The first came in a brief email on Thursday from the RFL.
It read:
RFL cancels membership of Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool Panthers RLFC have had their membership of the RFL cancelled and will take no part in the 2011 Co-operative Championship after they failed to meet a deadline from the game’s governing body.
The club, which went into administration in early October, was poised to present plans for their participation in Championship One on Thursday November 11 however no information was forthcoming from officials.
RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer commented: “The RFL has done everything possible to ensure the continuing involvement of Blackpool Panthers in Co-operative Championship One and we had every hope that a credible plan would be presented.
“Despite a flexible approach to deadlines and ongoing support from the RFL as well as a commitment from the club’s representatives right up to the last minute that a plan would be forthcoming, we have received notification that no proposal will be presented.
“With plans for the 2011 season at an advanced stage we have had no choice but to regretfully decide to cancel their membership.”
-ends-
Now it would be fair to say that the Panthers have limped along for the last six months since their chairman Bobby Hope decided that he wasn't going to fund the venture anymore after a spell of poor health and crowds at a much lower level than was expected.
Blackpool were whacked ten points for their finances in the season and to be fair have been floundering since going into administration at the start of October. There had been talk of former Oldham investor Bill Quinn leading a consortium but the RFL have said they can't hang on any longer and acted accordingly.
While the people at the club, and particularly Bobby Hope can be criticised, and rightly so, I feel sorry for the hardcore 200-250 who watched the Panthers every week. Those people could now potentially be lost to the game.
I also feel sorry for their players. I know many of them due to ealrier service with Leigh and to be honest they deserve better. This decision now means that any deals agreed or signed with Blackpool have become null and void. The uncertainty already saw Martin Ainscough, Neil Holland and Dean Thompson find another club while Friday saw Mike Morrison sign a deal with Swinton (who themselves appear to be pushing the boat out ahead of their season at The Willows).
While not wishing to speak badly about the RFL I hope their stance is repeated with other clubs. For me they have made an example of the Panthers who let's be honest have been operating in something of a development area since moving from Chorley in 2004.
I only hope there has been enough interest generated by the Panthers to sustain the amateur game in Blackpool and I also would like to see a future professional team in the area. If there is to be a next time, lessons must be heeded. The club needs a base and must develop in its own time. This is one of the pitfalls of recruiting heavily and boosting expenditure way beyond income. I liken it in a business sense to trying to build foundations on quicksand.
Sadly this seems a common method in rugby league.
The second piece of news to make me take notice was that of Crusaders entering administration. Now this is a story that has been doing the rounds for a couple of weeks. Basically when the club moved from South Wales it inherited crippling debt which it has battled all season. With that in mind it makes you appreciate what a job Brian Noble did there last term in just getting them to the play-offs. Sadly the previous business model I spoke of - "Let's throw money at it" was used and again a club has got in lumber.
Last year I'm sure I wrote about there being two separate companies set up that can be connected with this club and I'm still not sure of the where's and why's so I'll leave that thought where it is for now.
The main point I am wanting to make here is that for me the RFL have set a precedent here. I wait to see if any action will be taken to revoke Crusaders license should there be no movement in six weeks.
Don't get me wrong, I am not decrying Wrexham, the town has already shown an appetite for the sport, I just wish there was some consistency shown.
I now believe that the Crusaders are in the right place. North Wales I feel is more susceptible to Rugby League growth and wouldn't it be nice to think that there could be the potential to grow clubs in places like Rhyll and Llandudno? For me Rugby League needs to grow from amateur bases with the Summer Conference a decent platform.
I'll be watching the situation with interest.
Despite New Zealand giving everyone involved in Rugby League outside Australia a boost, my attention was switched back to domestic matters at the end of last week with two pieces of news. The first came in a brief email on Thursday from the RFL.
It read:
RFL cancels membership of Blackpool Panthers
Blackpool Panthers RLFC have had their membership of the RFL cancelled and will take no part in the 2011 Co-operative Championship after they failed to meet a deadline from the game’s governing body.
The club, which went into administration in early October, was poised to present plans for their participation in Championship One on Thursday November 11 however no information was forthcoming from officials.
RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer commented: “The RFL has done everything possible to ensure the continuing involvement of Blackpool Panthers in Co-operative Championship One and we had every hope that a credible plan would be presented.
“Despite a flexible approach to deadlines and ongoing support from the RFL as well as a commitment from the club’s representatives right up to the last minute that a plan would be forthcoming, we have received notification that no proposal will be presented.
“With plans for the 2011 season at an advanced stage we have had no choice but to regretfully decide to cancel their membership.”
-ends-
Now it would be fair to say that the Panthers have limped along for the last six months since their chairman Bobby Hope decided that he wasn't going to fund the venture anymore after a spell of poor health and crowds at a much lower level than was expected.
Blackpool were whacked ten points for their finances in the season and to be fair have been floundering since going into administration at the start of October. There had been talk of former Oldham investor Bill Quinn leading a consortium but the RFL have said they can't hang on any longer and acted accordingly.
While the people at the club, and particularly Bobby Hope can be criticised, and rightly so, I feel sorry for the hardcore 200-250 who watched the Panthers every week. Those people could now potentially be lost to the game.
I also feel sorry for their players. I know many of them due to ealrier service with Leigh and to be honest they deserve better. This decision now means that any deals agreed or signed with Blackpool have become null and void. The uncertainty already saw Martin Ainscough, Neil Holland and Dean Thompson find another club while Friday saw Mike Morrison sign a deal with Swinton (who themselves appear to be pushing the boat out ahead of their season at The Willows).
While not wishing to speak badly about the RFL I hope their stance is repeated with other clubs. For me they have made an example of the Panthers who let's be honest have been operating in something of a development area since moving from Chorley in 2004.
I only hope there has been enough interest generated by the Panthers to sustain the amateur game in Blackpool and I also would like to see a future professional team in the area. If there is to be a next time, lessons must be heeded. The club needs a base and must develop in its own time. This is one of the pitfalls of recruiting heavily and boosting expenditure way beyond income. I liken it in a business sense to trying to build foundations on quicksand.
Sadly this seems a common method in rugby league.
The second piece of news to make me take notice was that of Crusaders entering administration. Now this is a story that has been doing the rounds for a couple of weeks. Basically when the club moved from South Wales it inherited crippling debt which it has battled all season. With that in mind it makes you appreciate what a job Brian Noble did there last term in just getting them to the play-offs. Sadly the previous business model I spoke of - "Let's throw money at it" was used and again a club has got in lumber.
Last year I'm sure I wrote about there being two separate companies set up that can be connected with this club and I'm still not sure of the where's and why's so I'll leave that thought where it is for now.
The main point I am wanting to make here is that for me the RFL have set a precedent here. I wait to see if any action will be taken to revoke Crusaders license should there be no movement in six weeks.
Don't get me wrong, I am not decrying Wrexham, the town has already shown an appetite for the sport, I just wish there was some consistency shown.
I now believe that the Crusaders are in the right place. North Wales I feel is more susceptible to Rugby League growth and wouldn't it be nice to think that there could be the potential to grow clubs in places like Rhyll and Llandudno? For me Rugby League needs to grow from amateur bases with the Summer Conference a decent platform.
I'll be watching the situation with interest.
Saturday, 11 September 2010
RL Comment - Crusade over in Wales for 2010
Crusaders saw their play-off aspirations evaporate at the Galpharm when former Widnes forward Jordan James was sinbinned with eleven minutes remaining and the score in the expansion sides favour by 10-6.
During his spell off the field, Larne Patrick scored in support of Darrell Griffin. Clinton Schifcoske levelled matters with a penalty that came courtesy of the restart before a wayward pass from Wellar Hauraki couldn't be taken in by Vince Mellars. This allowed Danny Brough the chance to collect possession and offload for Leroy Cudjoe to finish from 30 metres. Cudjoe's 23rd try of the season couldn't have come at a more crucial time and Brett Hodgson goaled for the 18-12 win.
There was little to choose between these sides throughout and in the first half, Crusaders played the better percentage rugby. That half remained locked at 0-0 until just after the half hour when Brough tried to get a pass away and halfback Rhys Hanbury collected and set sail on a 40 metre intercept. Clinton Schifcoske goaled and then added a penalty to ensure that the visitors, cheered on by a vociferous Welsh crowd, led 8-0 at half-time.
Just four minutes into the second half, Huddersfield scored when smart play from Luke Robinson saw him run at the defence, find the hole and then dummy support to go over himself. It was a wonderful individual try, full of guile and trickery. Hodgson converted and Schifcoske put another penalty over before the frantic last ten minutes came after James was yellow carded for pulling the ball away from Cudjoe when he was trying to get the ball back in play for a twenty metre restart.
Some people may point to the validity of having a team in Super League from Wales, especially considering that just two of the seventeen players on show were British but there is no doubting the job that Brian Noble has done. He has now led three different teams into the Super League play-offs but whether he will remain at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham next year remains to be seen.
During his spell off the field, Larne Patrick scored in support of Darrell Griffin. Clinton Schifcoske levelled matters with a penalty that came courtesy of the restart before a wayward pass from Wellar Hauraki couldn't be taken in by Vince Mellars. This allowed Danny Brough the chance to collect possession and offload for Leroy Cudjoe to finish from 30 metres. Cudjoe's 23rd try of the season couldn't have come at a more crucial time and Brett Hodgson goaled for the 18-12 win.
There was little to choose between these sides throughout and in the first half, Crusaders played the better percentage rugby. That half remained locked at 0-0 until just after the half hour when Brough tried to get a pass away and halfback Rhys Hanbury collected and set sail on a 40 metre intercept. Clinton Schifcoske goaled and then added a penalty to ensure that the visitors, cheered on by a vociferous Welsh crowd, led 8-0 at half-time.
Just four minutes into the second half, Huddersfield scored when smart play from Luke Robinson saw him run at the defence, find the hole and then dummy support to go over himself. It was a wonderful individual try, full of guile and trickery. Hodgson converted and Schifcoske put another penalty over before the frantic last ten minutes came after James was yellow carded for pulling the ball away from Cudjoe when he was trying to get the ball back in play for a twenty metre restart.
Some people may point to the validity of having a team in Super League from Wales, especially considering that just two of the seventeen players on show were British but there is no doubting the job that Brian Noble has done. He has now led three different teams into the Super League play-offs but whether he will remain at the Racecourse Ground in Wrexham next year remains to be seen.
Friday, 19 March 2010
SUPER LEAGUE XV REPORT: Crusaders v Catalans
CRUSADERS 14
CATALANS DRAGONS 6
By Dave Parkinson
A tough and often dour struggle saw the Crusaders eventually finish with their third win of the season. It took the Crusaders last incarnation 27 games to achieve three wins last time while the Brian Noble coached 2010 side have reached the mark in just seven games.
The game was noteworthy for the debut of 35 year-old former British Lion Gareth Thomas.As a result the crowd swelled to a highly respectable 6,124 on a foul and wet night. After being bounced by David Ferriol in only the second tackle of the game, Thomas was struggling. Gamely the former Cardiff Blues player tried to get involved as often as he could and took several further drives at the defence and also chased one of many Michael Witt kicks. A second knock after 30 minutes brought an end to his involvement.
By the time Thomas left the field, Crusaders were 6-0 up thanks to a Jason Chan try, awarded by video referee Ian Smith after Witt and Lincoln Withers combined. To be fair that was as good as it got.
Missing the talents of Adam Mogg, Thomas Bosc and Clint Greenshields Catalans were reliant on their forward power but there was little guile at the back of it, despite the best efforts of Setaimata Sa, playing out of position at stand-off.
A high tackle from Jamal Fakir gave Witt the opportunity to add to the score after 32 minutes and it remained 8-0 at the break.
The second half proved to be a slightly better spectacle and after plenty of early completions only mistake from Fakir broke the mould. It was Catalans however that changed the scoreboard when a fine kick across field from Casey MacGuire was plucked out of the air by skipper Olivier Elima and Greg Mounis goaled.
The kicking of Witt then changed the face of the half, his patient kicks meant that the Dragons had to start the majority of sets by their own line. Nick Yougquest couldn't get a Tony Martin kick to sit up for him after a spirited chase down the line.
Crusaders did begin to dominate although their plays inside the twenty were easily picked off by an eager Dragons defence that held firm for three sets before losing possession for another two.
It was largely one man rugby until the 67th minute when Sa booted an attempted long kick out on the full and Crusaders built on territory to score only the third try of a tight game. Again referee Thierry Alibert went upstairs to Ian Smith after Peter Lupton ran strong and true and had a little bit of help from Martin after the otherwise impressive Dimitri Pelo appeared to stop the initial play.
The try stood however, benefit of doubt to the Crusaders, and Witt added his third goal to open up a 14-6 lead. Frank Winterstein was then curiously denied a try thanks to the reactions of Pelo and although Catalans tried to play expansively in the last ten minutes, it wasn't to be and the Crusaders prevailed by playing the better percentage game.
CRUSADERS:
Tries: Jason Chan, Peter Lupton.
Goals: Michael Witt 3/3.
CATALANS:
Try: Olivier Elima
Goal: Mounis 1/1.
CATALANS DRAGONS 6
By Dave Parkinson
A tough and often dour struggle saw the Crusaders eventually finish with their third win of the season. It took the Crusaders last incarnation 27 games to achieve three wins last time while the Brian Noble coached 2010 side have reached the mark in just seven games.
The game was noteworthy for the debut of 35 year-old former British Lion Gareth Thomas.As a result the crowd swelled to a highly respectable 6,124 on a foul and wet night. After being bounced by David Ferriol in only the second tackle of the game, Thomas was struggling. Gamely the former Cardiff Blues player tried to get involved as often as he could and took several further drives at the defence and also chased one of many Michael Witt kicks. A second knock after 30 minutes brought an end to his involvement.
By the time Thomas left the field, Crusaders were 6-0 up thanks to a Jason Chan try, awarded by video referee Ian Smith after Witt and Lincoln Withers combined. To be fair that was as good as it got.
Missing the talents of Adam Mogg, Thomas Bosc and Clint Greenshields Catalans were reliant on their forward power but there was little guile at the back of it, despite the best efforts of Setaimata Sa, playing out of position at stand-off.
A high tackle from Jamal Fakir gave Witt the opportunity to add to the score after 32 minutes and it remained 8-0 at the break.
The second half proved to be a slightly better spectacle and after plenty of early completions only mistake from Fakir broke the mould. It was Catalans however that changed the scoreboard when a fine kick across field from Casey MacGuire was plucked out of the air by skipper Olivier Elima and Greg Mounis goaled.
The kicking of Witt then changed the face of the half, his patient kicks meant that the Dragons had to start the majority of sets by their own line. Nick Yougquest couldn't get a Tony Martin kick to sit up for him after a spirited chase down the line.
Crusaders did begin to dominate although their plays inside the twenty were easily picked off by an eager Dragons defence that held firm for three sets before losing possession for another two.
It was largely one man rugby until the 67th minute when Sa booted an attempted long kick out on the full and Crusaders built on territory to score only the third try of a tight game. Again referee Thierry Alibert went upstairs to Ian Smith after Peter Lupton ran strong and true and had a little bit of help from Martin after the otherwise impressive Dimitri Pelo appeared to stop the initial play.
The try stood however, benefit of doubt to the Crusaders, and Witt added his third goal to open up a 14-6 lead. Frank Winterstein was then curiously denied a try thanks to the reactions of Pelo and although Catalans tried to play expansively in the last ten minutes, it wasn't to be and the Crusaders prevailed by playing the better percentage game.
CRUSADERS:
Tries: Jason Chan, Peter Lupton.
Goals: Michael Witt 3/3.
CATALANS:
Try: Olivier Elima
Goal: Mounis 1/1.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
RL Comment - CRUSADERS FINED BY UK BORDER AGENCY
A messy wrangle is now over following the £5,000 fine issued to the Crusaders RL club over "Visagate" which affected the club's previous guise - Celtic Crusaders.
Six members of the Crusaders first team squad were found to have been on the wrong type of Visa and this immediately led to their suspension from playing and in several cases, 10 year bans being given about returning to this country. One of the players - Damien Quinn had been over since the birth of the club and even claimed a Player-of-the-Year award title at a sparkling posh-suit dinner thrown by the RFL themselves.
We were told that fines of up to £10,000 per worker could be issued but for those thinking the Crusaders have got away with it need only look through the Border Agency Lists from December to discover that in most cases a £5,000 fine per worker was given to companies.
I also thought I'd look towards Crusaders, having heard something about a new company being set up in Wrexham. This is true according to the Companies House website
WREXHAM CRUSADERS LIMITED
THE RACE COURSE GROUND
MOLD ROAD
WREXHAM
WALES
LL11 2AH
Company No. 07115702
However before letters start lobbying MP's and beseiging Red Hall - the original company is still active, all be it with the same address as above.
CELTIC CRUSADERS LIMITED
THE RACECOURSE
MOLD ROAD
WREXHAM
LL11 2AH
Company No. 05991284
So according to Companies House there are two rugby businesses at the same address. Is this the way that Crusaders were able to get around the rules concerning points deductions? This situation throws up a couple of questions. Who do these two companies employ? Is it a way around the Salary Cap? Why are there two companies?
Maybe we'll never know the answer.
I'm sure there are a number of club chairmen now looking at the Crusaders model though. Maybe at some point in the future I'll look at other company names that make up Rugby League in the UK. I wonder what I'll find?
Six members of the Crusaders first team squad were found to have been on the wrong type of Visa and this immediately led to their suspension from playing and in several cases, 10 year bans being given about returning to this country. One of the players - Damien Quinn had been over since the birth of the club and even claimed a Player-of-the-Year award title at a sparkling posh-suit dinner thrown by the RFL themselves.
We were told that fines of up to £10,000 per worker could be issued but for those thinking the Crusaders have got away with it need only look through the Border Agency Lists from December to discover that in most cases a £5,000 fine per worker was given to companies.
I also thought I'd look towards Crusaders, having heard something about a new company being set up in Wrexham. This is true according to the Companies House website
WREXHAM CRUSADERS LIMITED
THE RACE COURSE GROUND
MOLD ROAD
WREXHAM
WALES
LL11 2AH
Company No. 07115702
However before letters start lobbying MP's and beseiging Red Hall - the original company is still active, all be it with the same address as above.
CELTIC CRUSADERS LIMITED
THE RACECOURSE
MOLD ROAD
WREXHAM
LL11 2AH
Company No. 05991284
So according to Companies House there are two rugby businesses at the same address. Is this the way that Crusaders were able to get around the rules concerning points deductions? This situation throws up a couple of questions. Who do these two companies employ? Is it a way around the Salary Cap? Why are there two companies?
Maybe we'll never know the answer.
I'm sure there are a number of club chairmen now looking at the Crusaders model though. Maybe at some point in the future I'll look at other company names that make up Rugby League in the UK. I wonder what I'll find?
Monday, 22 February 2010
SL XV - Round up 20-21/02/2010
In addition to the magnificent game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium another Super League encounter was taking place in the South of France where St Helens travelled to tackle Catalans Dragons.
This ended with a 42-12 victory for Saints with the Dragons being hampered due to the sending off of French international skipper Olivier Elima.
It was Catalans that made an excellent start thanks to tries from Chris Walker and Setaimata Sa but when leading 8-4, Elima was marched for an incident involving Johnny Lomax who had scored the first try for the visitors.
Lomax grabbed a second before further tries from Francis Meli and Matt Gidley handed Saints an 18-8 half-time lead.
St Helens took control of the contest in the first ten minutes of the second half with further tries from Maurie Fa'asavalu, Kyle Eastmond and Meli added further tries. Gidley also added his second try to put the Sints 42-12 up before a late try from Walker put the hosts into double figures.
On Sunday Huddersfield Giants were big winners over at New Craven Park, beating an underdone Hull KR 30-0.
The Giants led 18-0 at half-time and despite not really impressing their boss Nathan Brown in the second period, still scored a couple more tries to claim victory.
Shaun Lunt, David Hodgson and Larne Patrick scored first half tries. Hodgson went on to claim a hat-trick in the second half and the game was a mere formaility by the time Leroy Cudjoe scored an unconverted try. Brett Hodgson finished with three goals.
Another encouraging crowd of over 6700 was on hand at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground to see Crusaders win back to back games for the first time since they were admitted to Super League.
Hull were the visitors and both teams scored three tries each with the goal-kicking and general play of halfback Michael Witt the difference.
Wing Nick Youngquest scored the first try of the game before Lee Radford powered through a gap to equalise. An easy try followed for Tom Briscoe with Craig Fitzgibbon a man on form with two conversions and some sound play.
Witt went in for a try before the interval and added the conversion to again lock the game up at 12-12. A good kick after 50 minutes then saw centre Kirk Yeaman get the scoring touch but that try went unconverted.
Youngquest then claimed his second try 11 minutes from the end, Witt converted from wide out and some good defence saw Crusaders win through.
SATURDAY
Catalans Dragons 12 ST HELENS 42
SUNDAY
Hull Kingston Rovers 0 HUDDERSFIELD 30
CRUSADERS 18 Hull 16
This ended with a 42-12 victory for Saints with the Dragons being hampered due to the sending off of French international skipper Olivier Elima.
It was Catalans that made an excellent start thanks to tries from Chris Walker and Setaimata Sa but when leading 8-4, Elima was marched for an incident involving Johnny Lomax who had scored the first try for the visitors.
Lomax grabbed a second before further tries from Francis Meli and Matt Gidley handed Saints an 18-8 half-time lead.
St Helens took control of the contest in the first ten minutes of the second half with further tries from Maurie Fa'asavalu, Kyle Eastmond and Meli added further tries. Gidley also added his second try to put the Sints 42-12 up before a late try from Walker put the hosts into double figures.
On Sunday Huddersfield Giants were big winners over at New Craven Park, beating an underdone Hull KR 30-0.
The Giants led 18-0 at half-time and despite not really impressing their boss Nathan Brown in the second period, still scored a couple more tries to claim victory.
Shaun Lunt, David Hodgson and Larne Patrick scored first half tries. Hodgson went on to claim a hat-trick in the second half and the game was a mere formaility by the time Leroy Cudjoe scored an unconverted try. Brett Hodgson finished with three goals.
Another encouraging crowd of over 6700 was on hand at Wrexham's Racecourse Ground to see Crusaders win back to back games for the first time since they were admitted to Super League.
Hull were the visitors and both teams scored three tries each with the goal-kicking and general play of halfback Michael Witt the difference.
Wing Nick Youngquest scored the first try of the game before Lee Radford powered through a gap to equalise. An easy try followed for Tom Briscoe with Craig Fitzgibbon a man on form with two conversions and some sound play.
Witt went in for a try before the interval and added the conversion to again lock the game up at 12-12. A good kick after 50 minutes then saw centre Kirk Yeaman get the scoring touch but that try went unconverted.
Youngquest then claimed his second try 11 minutes from the end, Witt converted from wide out and some good defence saw Crusaders win through.
SATURDAY
Catalans Dragons 12 ST HELENS 42
SUNDAY
Hull Kingston Rovers 0 HUDDERSFIELD 30
CRUSADERS 18 Hull 16
Friday, 12 February 2010
SUPER LEAGUE XV – THE REST OF FRIDAY NIGHTS ACTION
SALFORD 16 CRUSADERS 36
Brian Noble’s Crusaders won their first game of the season at the third attempt with a 7 try win at the Willows over Salford.
Vince Mellars grabbed a hat-trick while Michael Witt weighed in with a try and four goals as the City Reds were swept away in the second half.
Mellars opened the scoring after 4 minutes with Witt converting but Salford struck right back within a minute when Australian new boy Daniel Holdsworth scored and Stefan Ratchford goaled.
Back to back tries from Frankie Winterstein and Mellars established a 14-6 lead but back came Salford through Matty Smith, Ratchford again goaling.
A one sided second half saw Crusaders out-try Salford four to one. Mellars completed his hat-trick after 42 minutes before Witt crossed the whitewash four minutes later. On the hour Jamie Thackray blasted over to make it 32-12. Salford then grabbed a try five minutes from time through Karl Fitzpatrick before Gareth Raynor completed victory with the Crusaders seventh just before the end of the game.
HULL 14 HUDDERSFIELD 6
Like Wigan, Hull remain unbeaten two games into the new Super League season, but it was a close run thing against a tough Giants team that came back at their hosts in the second half.
Tries from Danny Tickle (after 7 minutes) and one time Widnes loanee Craig Hall (after 25 minutes) both goaled by Tickle gave Hull a 12-0 interval lead and although Scott Grix pulled a converted try back for the visitors a 55th minute penalty ensured the hosts stayed ahead and picked up the win.
Prop Mark O'Meley enjoyed a big debut for the home team while the Giants badly missed the guidance of star fullback Brett Hodgson.
Brian Noble’s Crusaders won their first game of the season at the third attempt with a 7 try win at the Willows over Salford.
Vince Mellars grabbed a hat-trick while Michael Witt weighed in with a try and four goals as the City Reds were swept away in the second half.
Mellars opened the scoring after 4 minutes with Witt converting but Salford struck right back within a minute when Australian new boy Daniel Holdsworth scored and Stefan Ratchford goaled.
Back to back tries from Frankie Winterstein and Mellars established a 14-6 lead but back came Salford through Matty Smith, Ratchford again goaling.
A one sided second half saw Crusaders out-try Salford four to one. Mellars completed his hat-trick after 42 minutes before Witt crossed the whitewash four minutes later. On the hour Jamie Thackray blasted over to make it 32-12. Salford then grabbed a try five minutes from time through Karl Fitzpatrick before Gareth Raynor completed victory with the Crusaders seventh just before the end of the game.
HULL 14 HUDDERSFIELD 6
Like Wigan, Hull remain unbeaten two games into the new Super League season, but it was a close run thing against a tough Giants team that came back at their hosts in the second half.
Tries from Danny Tickle (after 7 minutes) and one time Widnes loanee Craig Hall (after 25 minutes) both goaled by Tickle gave Hull a 12-0 interval lead and although Scott Grix pulled a converted try back for the visitors a 55th minute penalty ensured the hosts stayed ahead and picked up the win.
Prop Mark O'Meley enjoyed a big debut for the home team while the Giants badly missed the guidance of star fullback Brett Hodgson.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
RL Comment
I'm in a fortunate position where I receive emails and press releases from the RFL.
One landed in my in-box today about the Crusaders.
Now it would be fair to say that I've got an opinion about how this club has been able to seemingly flout the rules and by the grace of god hang on to their place in Super League. I'm sure the RFL thought it was stretching it's top flight boundaries to South Wales and within a year the club has all but started again as a North Wales entity based all of 32 miles from Widnes.
That must come as a slap in the face to Vikings fans. I know Leigh were pretty vocal at the time the Crusaders got the nod for Super League but all that will be water under the bridge in 2010 for the Centurions.
Anyway, back to the Crusaders and Wrexham. The town gets its first chance in several years to see Rugby League and according to the report, fans, businesses and other corporate guests have lapped up tickets with a figure of 7,400 being quoted.
It all points to being a good second coming for the Welsh team and I hope despite my feelings on the issue that RL expansion gets its act together.
There are just two questions I have.
What will happen if Leeds win very comfortably? Are the finances there to sustain the outpost franchise?
Maybe one of these days we'll look towards the Summer Conference as Rugby League's best bet of expansion. This has grown year on year and is the success story of Rugby League in my eyes.
Answers on a postcard to Club Management, Crusaders RLFC, Wrexham and copy in the RFL too!
One landed in my in-box today about the Crusaders.
Now it would be fair to say that I've got an opinion about how this club has been able to seemingly flout the rules and by the grace of god hang on to their place in Super League. I'm sure the RFL thought it was stretching it's top flight boundaries to South Wales and within a year the club has all but started again as a North Wales entity based all of 32 miles from Widnes.
That must come as a slap in the face to Vikings fans. I know Leigh were pretty vocal at the time the Crusaders got the nod for Super League but all that will be water under the bridge in 2010 for the Centurions.
Anyway, back to the Crusaders and Wrexham. The town gets its first chance in several years to see Rugby League and according to the report, fans, businesses and other corporate guests have lapped up tickets with a figure of 7,400 being quoted.
It all points to being a good second coming for the Welsh team and I hope despite my feelings on the issue that RL expansion gets its act together.
There are just two questions I have.
What will happen if Leeds win very comfortably? Are the finances there to sustain the outpost franchise?
Maybe one of these days we'll look towards the Summer Conference as Rugby League's best bet of expansion. This has grown year on year and is the success story of Rugby League in my eyes.
Answers on a postcard to Club Management, Crusaders RLFC, Wrexham and copy in the RFL too!
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