Blackpool 0 Crusaders 52 - Match Review

By Zippy
July 31 2006

Match review from a fortnight ago as the Celtic Crusaders defeated Blackpool Panthers 52 - 0 to keep up their challenge for top spot, for details read on.

By Ian Golden - http://www.sportingwales.com/artman/publish/article_8478.shtml

BLACKPOOL PANTHERS 0 CELTIC CRUSADERS 52

Celtic Crusaders had no problems at Blackpool Panthers on Sunday as they virtually sealed the game within the first 20 minutes putting on an outstanding spectacle of rugby league. They will however face a tougher task next Sunday when they entertain league leaders Dewsbury Rams at the Brewery Field – a match that will make or break the Crusaders’ chance of automatic promotion this season.

The Crusaders’ 52-0 win leaves them in third place after Sheffield Eagles’ 46-0 trouncing of London on Friday night and Dewsbury’s 36-8 win over Gateshead on Sunday.

The win was witnessed by Welsh rugby league legend Billy Boston who was impressed with what he saw.

Boston said: “I thought the Crusaders were well organised, disciplined and by far the better side. You just need to keep it up and keep playing like that and I’m sure the success will follow. Everything was good out there – the moves, the back-up play – you had it all spot on.”

The game started at a furious pace with both sides doing well in their completion rate. But it was Crusaders who had most of the possession and they were rewarded with a try in the fifth minute when Damien Quinn set up Carl de Chenu who ran over in the corner.

Crusaders’ second try came on 13 minutes following a classic move started by Matt Jobson who laid off to Jace Van Dijk. Tony Duggan created the space and Michael Ryan placed the ball under the sticks. Van Dijk easily converted.

Duggan set up the third try just two minutes later making a fine run from inside his own half before slipping the ball to Luke Young who ran it home. Van Dijk added the extras again to make it 16-0.

Duggan almost got a try of his own from the next set but the kick into the Blackpool goalmouth bounced too far for his to latch on to.

But it wasn’t long before they crossed for a fourth. Van Dijk was the provider enabling Matt Hill to run in for his debut try for the Crusaders. Van Dijk converted again.

Completion rates then went out of the window for the remainder of the half.

Blackpool had a chance to get back into the game when Aled James fumbled a bomb kick but Blackpool knocked on in the next play that followed the scrum. They also knocked on after they recovered the ball on the fifth tackle but the Crusaders failed to take advantage as Gareth Dean’s handling error five metres from the line gave possession back to the Panthers.

Once regaining the ball, de Chenu wasted a perfect opportunity following fine play from Duggan, Van Dijk and Quinn when he dropped the ball as he had clear run down the wing.

Deon Duell mishandled enabling Crusaders to attack again. Paul Morgan had a half-chance when he chased a grubber kick but Mark Leigh got there first and kicked it into touch. From the scrum, Neale Wyatt set up Luke Young who should have grounded but took too much time over it and was held up as crossed the line.

But Crusaders finally crossed for a fifth try when Damien Quinn dived over in the corner in the 37th minute and Van Dijk kicked the tricky conversion.

Crusaders took their time to get on the board in the second half as Blackpool came out with a bit more fire. The nearest the Welsh got to scoring in the first 25 minutes of the second half was when Quinn was held up over the line 13 minutes in. Duggan also kicked a fine grubber in the 24th minute but de Chenu and Quinn failed to get the ball as the Panthers defended well.

Blackpool may have had more of the ball in the third quarter of the game but they continually failed to turn their possession into chances and the Crusaders defensive line was never seriously tested.

Crusaders finally broke the second half deadlock on 66 minutes when Quinn set up de Chenu who sped down the wing and placed the ball under the posts enabling Van Dijk to convert easily.

Duggan scored with a superb individual effort five minutes later while Van Dijk broke through a Panthers gap to score another three minutes later. Jobson set up de Chenu three minutes after that as the Irishman weaved his way through to ground for his hat-trick. Van Dijk converted all three to put the final score on 52-0.

Blackpool Panthers: Ian Langley, Mark Leigh, Anton Garcia, Eddie Kilgannon, Tom Lever, Ryan Millington, Martin Gambles, Gareth Jones, Rob Barraclough, Danny Nanyn, Danny Barton, Kris Radcliffe, Deon Duell. Subs: Janan Billings, Liam Bretherton, Lee Rowley, Richard Rafferty.

Celtic Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Carl de Chenu, Aled James, Damien Quinn, Paul Morgan, Luke Young, Jace Van Dijk, Gareth Dean, Michael Ryan, Phil Cushion, Dean Fitzgerald, Matt Jobson, Matt Hill. Subs: Neale Wyatt, Geraint Davies, Chris Beasley, Grant Epton.

Tries: de Chenu (5, 66, 77), Ryan (13), Young (15), Hill (19), Quinn (37), Duggan (71), Van Dijk (74)

Goals: Van Dijk 8/9