Skolars end Crusaders' run
Written by: Ian Golden
March 2nd, 2008 5:48pm
CELTIC CRUSADERS 14 LONDON SKOLARS 18
By Ian Golden at Brewery Field
In horrendous conditions in Bridgend on a cold Saturday night, London Skolars ruined Celtic Crusaders St Davids Day celebrations by beating them for the first time in ten attempts thanks to a late Jermaine Coleman try.
It was the Londoners second win in as many weeks away from home against National League One opposition following their 50-32 victory at Sheffield Eagles last Friday and their coach Tony Benson claims that this amazing double is just reward for their efforts.
Were probably the only people that expected to win today, said Benson. We played well against Sheffield last week although its funny, people said Sheffield were rubbish. However I think we proved this week that wed be very lucky to have played two rubbish teams in a row. Weve worked hard in recent weeks and improved a lot and that came off today. When it started raining we decided to tighten up, play the percentage game and it came off in the end. It was a bit of lucky try that won us the game Ill admit that, but well accept it.
Just an Ian Webster conversion separated the sides with two minutes to go and Crusaders thought that they had done enough for a narrow win. However they didnt account for Skolars determination. The dreadful conditions, albeit not quite as bad as in Leeds the night beforehand, certainly played their part in the scoreline, but to Skolars credit, their handling game was better than the Crusaders, they made fewer errors and thoroughly deserved their win.
Crusaders coach John Dixon gave the visitors credit.
Theyve two wins in a row so theyre doing really well right now, Dixon said. Its good to see developing teams play well, its just not good to see them play well against us. I give Skolars credit today, they put a lot of hard work in.
We were never in control of that game. We started really well and we maintained our lead until two minutes before the end. But we didnt have enough quality in our ball control today to maintain field position and it came unstuck for us today. I always felt wed win the game but we werent good enough in the last two minutes.
Crusaders now have an intriguing Challenge Cup tie next Sunday when they take on Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow at the Brewery Field.
We dont know anything about Moscow, Dixon admitted. So itll be a chance to concentrate and work on ourselves. Following todays performance there are a few areas we need to work on so thatll keep us busy for sure.
Skolars were unlucky not to take the lead after only two minutes when Namila Davui took advantage of a loose ball to ground but the centre was try ruled out for offside.
So it was the Welsh side who went 10-0 up in almost as many minutes. A try from Crusaders man of the match Neil Budworth opened proceedings in the sixth minute while a mazy Jordan James run under the sticks converted by Ian Webster made the score 10-0 five minutes later.
Skolars struck back just before the 20 minute mark. Tane Taikoto laid the ball off to Austin Aggrey who grounded in the corner.
They added another five minutes later to reduce the margin to 10-8. A fine passing move sent Davui through and he scored in the opposite corner.
But Crusaders extended their lead just after the half hour through a Ben Flower try after excellent breaks from Budworth and Tony Duggan.
Skolars could have levelled things just before the interval but Dave Ellisons potentially dangerous chip was well caught by Anthony Blackwood.
However they crucially got back into the game after eight minutes of the second half through a Wayne Kerr try.
But as the rain got steadily worse so did the handling errors, as both sides struggled for further scores. Blackwood was closest to a try for the Crusaders but he mishandled as he was near to the line.
So it was left to Skolars to clinch their first ever win over the Crusaders with just two minutes left on the clock when Jermaine Coleman went over and Thorman converted.
However the drama wasnt over yet as Crusaders thought theyd won the game back when Josh Hannay went over the line with just three seconds left on the clock. But this was disallowed thanks to a forward pass and the Skolars celebrated their hard-fought victory.
CELTIC CRUSADERS
1. Tony Duggan
2. Paul Ballard
3. Josh Hannay
4. Mark Dalle Cort
5. Anthony Blackwood
6. Damien Quinn
7. Ian Webster
8. Jordan James
9. Neil Budworth
10. David Tangata-Toa
18. Geraint Davies
12. Darren Mapp
13. Chris Beasley
Subs (all used):
14. Jamie IAnson
15. Ben Flower
16. Gareth Dean
17. Philippe Gardent
Tries: Budworth (6), James (11), Flower (33)
Goals: Webster 1/3
LONDON SKOLARS
1. Jermaine Coleman
2. Corey Simms
3. Namila Davui
4. Dane Miller
5. Austen Aggrey
6. Paul Thorman
7. Jamie Nowland
8. Dave Ellison
9. Leigh Nisson
10. Glen Osborn
11. Warren Heilig
12. Tane Taikoto
13. Eimhin Griffiths
Subs:
14. Richard Louw
15. Wayne Kerr
16. Chris Shears
17. Travis Ribot (not used)
Tries: Aggrey (19), Davui (25), Kerr (4, Coleman (7
Goals: Thorman 1/4
Attendance: 1,069
Men of the Match: Crusaders Neil Budworth, Skolars Chris Shears
Half-time: 14-8
Referee: Matthew Kidd (Castleford)
Penalties: 5-5
Scoring Sequence: 4-0, 10-0, 10-4, 10-8, 14-8, 14-12, 14-18
Gamebreaker: Jermaine Colemans late try coupled with Josh Hannay receiving a forward pass.
Gamestar: Chris Shears for his all round performance after coming off the bench to replace the injured Leigh Nisson after only eight minutes.
Match Rating: 3/5
Weather: Very wet and windy.
SOURCE:
http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=15188
