Saturday, August 13, 2011

Crusaders move out from last position - rleague


1136_img Crusaders move away from last position - rleague.comCrusaders RL's second win in as many Engage Super League weekends moved them off the bed of the board at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats' expense.

It has been a long time since the Racecourse witnessed such celebrations and, after the word that they will be relegated this season after not applying for a new licence, it was bitter-sweet.


Crusaders head coach Iestyn Harris made only one convert to the start line-up from the english which beat Wakefield to enter the club's fifth win of the season, with Jordan Tansey replacing forward Ben Flower.

However, Harlequins RL were without David Howell, who began a six-match ban this weekend after he was found guilty of biting an opponent during the going to Catalan Dragons a fortnight ago.

Although the Crusaders will be relegated from Super League this season after they decided not to reapply for a three-year licence, there was everything to work for.

The players are after contracts elsewhere, with big forward Richard Moore the latest to mark up, as he returns to Leeds Rhinos - where he started his calling in the Academy - on a three-year deal.

Quins, who made decent strides in the season before dropping back down the table, were likewise seeking a win - with their final victory being the 40-22 home win over Wakefield on June 18.

But if the Crusaders were going down, it was not without a fight - and centre Tony Martin was mired in both the opening scores in Wrexham tonight.

Martin latched onto a ball coughed up on the home 25 by Dan Sarginson to run near the duration of the slope before a quick play-the-ball saw Jason Chan go in.

In the 12th minute the heart caused Quins problems with another dash to the argument before setting up wing Stuart Reardon in the corner.

Eight minutes later Harlequins hit back when Sarginson made up for his mistake by passing through a gap near the posts to score easily.

But it was largely the house side who had the best of the game, with centre Vince Mellars and hooker Lincoln Withers both going over the job for loads which were ruled out.

Quins, with Tony Clubb and Luke Dorn active, dug in and stayed in contact at 12-6 at half-time - but they paying for poor handling on a night when the drizzle did not avail them.

It proved costly when Olsi Krasniqi dropped the ball forward 10 yards from his line. Quins players stopped, expecting a scrum, but referee Richard Silverwood waved play-on and replacement Lloyd White strolled over.

Clinton Schifcofske booted over the conversion, his third excellent kick from the touchline in the match, and the Londoners were lining a two converted try deficit.

Quins came back into it about the hour mark and twice second row Lee Mitchell was denied by some big defensive hits.

Sarginson, though, kept the Quins ambitions burning when a brilliant move down the backs saw the half-back cut back inside and go over for Luke Gale to add a second conversion of the night.

Moore was put over from 10 yards by half-back Michael Witt before Witt added a drop-goal to get it 25-12.

It was all Crusaders at this point and wing Elliot Kear finished things off with a try in the tree after a Witt cross-kick.

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