Round 11
Celtic Crusaders 22 l. Castleford Tigers 34

2009 engage English Super League Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: United Kingdom > National > First Grade Competition: engage English Super League

Sherwin the star as Celtic searches for first win
Mon April 27, 2009
Source: www.superleague.co.uk

Castleford got their show back on the road with a 34-22 win in Wales, but the long wait for a Super League victory for the Celtic Crusaders continues into another week.

However, there is some hope for the Crusaders who looked like a different team than that which lost heavily to both Harlequins and Wigan in the past fortnight as they lead 16-12 at half-time. Castleford, who have won two and lost two of their past four Super League matches, were unable to stem the early tide as the Welsh team pounded their opponents through the middle.

The Yorkshiremen found themselves 10-0 down by the 15th minute when, to the delight of the home crowd, prop Ryan O'Hara was put in by a neat piece of work from his skipper Jace Van Dijk, who was playing with an ankle injury. And, after stand-off Damien Quinn had booted the conversion, the Crusaders added another as second-rower Adam Peek bulldozed his way over the line from five metres.

It was all going very well for the Welshmen but then Castleford got their act together, with Brent Sherwin the star of the show as he controlled the game exceptionally. He was on hand to grab the first of Castleford's half-dozen tries and he worked the ball well through the forwards throughout.

The rewards came when Ryan Boyle went over when he was put in by James Evans, another who improved as the game wore on. Evans himself crossed to put Castleford in front when Sherin worked the ball in the 25 and loose forward Ryan McGoldrick sent an overhead pass to the wing for his colleague to cross unopposed. A second conversion from Kirk Dixon put Castleford two points in front but the Crusaders went in ahead as David Tangata Toa broke a tackle and charged over from 40 metres to the line.

It was only the second time this season the Crusaders went into the break ahead and there was hope this could, at last, be their day. But, after a crushing defeat by St Helens last weekend, Castleford put their foot down and the Crusaders were crushed. Dixon crashed over for a try which, with his third conversion, brought Cas back to within four points of the home side. Then a thunderous effort from Michael Wainwright took them into the lead before Michael Shenton collected a Sherwin pass to go over.

To put the icing on the cake, Sherwin bagged the try he thoroughly deserved before O'Hara managed a consolation touchdown for the Crusaders.


Celtic Crusaders v Castleford Tigers Preview
Sat April 25, 2009
Source: www.crusadersrfl.com

Celtic Crusaders have released their 19-man squad for the engage Super League encounter against Castleford Tigers at the Brewery Field in Bridgend (kick-off 3pm).

Geraint Davies, Matty Smith, Tony Duggan and Mark Lennon all remain on the injury list while Darren Mapp joins them after aggravating an old injury last week at Wigan.

The Crusaders have added Jordan James, Paul Ballard and Chris Beasley to their squad with Ballard in line to make his first appearance of the season after starring for the reserves. If selected, it will be his first Super League game in almost four years. Ballard played four times for Widnes Vikings in Super League in the 2005 season.

Crusaders' physiotherapist Ben Stirling's treatment room has been extra busy recently due to the recent demanding Easter weekend programme that forces teams to play two games in less than 72 hours. He says that the Easter Weekend's toll causes injury repercussions that lasts for weeks.

"I have contemplated the benefits of this program and struggle to find any that are truly meaningful for any of the Super League teams," Stirling said. "The press have mentioned that the bank holiday games may result in larger crowds and therefore increased revenue - a debate I am not qualified to discuss or deliberate. On the other-hand I have many thoughts from a physiological point-of-view.

"The game of rugby league continues to develop with players becoming faster, stronger and fitter. This not only makes for a more captivating spectacle, but also comes with a physical price, heavier collisions and therefore more trauma to the body.

"Two days is not enough time for the body to recover and replenish itself in preparation for the next game. Consequently, players suffer from fatigue and more importantly increased risk of injury. Also, with a squad of only 25 players, teams can be forced to field players that are carrying niggles/minor injuries which could result in more damage and a more prolonged absence, something that could have been avoided with a six or seven day turn-around.

"In a sporting age where the science behind sport has become the foundation for all aspects of physical performance and governing bodies impose strict medical guidance to ensure player welfare and safety, it surprises me that such a short turnaround still exists.

"This is no doubt a debate that will continue to plague the Easter weekend fixture. It is perhaps a problem in professional sport where teams and governing bodies have to balance revenue generation against player welfare.

"After reading articles by the likes of Hull Kingston Rovers coach Justin Morgan and Warrington assistant coach James Lowes, I realise that I am not alone in my viewpoint that this tradition is one that needs to be scrapped."

Castleford Tigers' coach Terry Matterson knows that the Crusaders encounter will be difficult one with the Welsh side hungry for their first Super League win.

"I know the Celtic Crusaders coach and I know their players - I coached quite a few of them back in Australia. You take them lightly at your own peril.

"Their performances at home have been very good and even though they haven't had a win everyone keeps saying they are going to beat someone. So we've got to go out there and play well and win the right to win the game.

"They play some really attractive football and this could be a dangerous game for us."

Chris Feather, Stuart Jones and James Evans, all of whom missed Castleford's 68-22 loss at St Helens last week, are all set to return after being named in their 19-man squad. Former New South Wales Warratahs, Cronulla Sharks and USA international Ryan McGoldrick.

Entertainment at the Brewery Field starts at 12.30pm on Sunday with a ten-team junior tag rugby league tournament.

The tournament is part of the Community Crusaders primary school programme for boys and girls aged 9 to 11 (years 5 and 6 in primary school).

Ten local schools will be competing - Coychurch, West Park, Trelales, Nottage, Oldcastle Juniors, Porthcawl, Litchard, Bryntirion, Llangewydd and Pencoed Juniors.

The schools have all been coached by a number of Celtic Crusaders staff and players including Kevin Ellis, Neil Budworth, Luke Dyer, Damien Quinn, Tony Duggan, Jason Chan, Mark Lennon and Peter Lupton as part of the Community Crusaders Primary Schools Programme.

Crusaders' reserves take on Castleford at Tyn-y-Wern Fields in Trefforest on Saturday (kick-off 3pm). Preceding that game is the first ever under 16s encounter for the club when they take on Widnes Vikings in a friendly (kick-off 1pm).

The under 18s take on Leigh Miners Rangers in the Gillette National Youth League Grand Final on Sunday that kicks off at 1.30pm.

Celtic Crusaders' official supporters club side, the Celtic Barbarians, warm up for their Murrayfield encounter with a Tag Merit League game against Leigh Leythers on Sunday at Litchard School (kick-off 11am).

Celtic Crusaders (from): Paul Ballard, Chris Beasley, Anthony Blackwood, Mark Bryant, Neil Budworth, Marshall Chalk, Jason Chan, Mark Dalle Cort, Luke Dyer, Josh Hannay, Aled James, Jordan James, Peter Lupton, Ryan O'Hara, Adam Peek, Damien Quinn, David Tangata-Toa, Jace Van Dijk, Lincoln Withers.

Castleford Tigers (from): Richard Owen, Kirk Dixon, Michael Shenton, James Evans, Michael Wainwright, Rangi Chase, Brent Sherwin, Mitchell Sargent, Brett Ferres, Stuart Jones, Liam Higgins, Chris Feather, Ryan Boyle, Kirk Netherton, James Ford, Sione Faumuina, Ryan McGoldrick, Jordan Thompson, John Davies.

Thu April 23, 2009
• Seibold calls for support on Sunday
  

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