Celtic Crusaders Colts will have to wait a week to see if they are to join their first team in the Cooperative National League Finals day in Warrington on Sunday 28th September after losing 43-24 to Conference National minor premiers Bramley Buffaloes at Stanningley on Sunday.

The Colts now take on Featherstone Lions next Saturday, expected to be a 2.30pm kick-off at the Brewery Field in Bridgend, to decide who joins Bramley in the 11am kick-off Final in a fortnight. On the 28th, the National League Two final between Doncaster and Oldham or Rochdale Hornets kicks off at 1.30pm and Celtic Crusaders v Salford City Reds or Whitehaven at 4pm. Tickets for the whole finals day are priced £15 for adults and £8 for all concessions are available online at www.crusadersrfl.com or by post from the club.

It was the Colts third defeat of the season to Bramley, the only side to have beaten them in 2008, and although they started well, they were unable to keep up the momentum as Bramley, finalists for the last three seasons, stamped their authority on the game with a dominating first half performance.

A Lloyd White penalty gave the Colts the lead after only two minutes after Bramley were penalised for holding down in the tackle.

Paul Drake failed to level things a few minutes later after a penalty, given for a similar offence, sailed wide of the left hand post.

But Bramley were first over the line on eight minutes when Jon Nicholls fed Shaun Flynn who dived over in the corner. This time Drake made no mistake with the kick and Bramley were 6-2 up.

Colts had the chance for a try back in a move involving Lloyd White, Aled James and Ashley Griffiths but Lee Williams knocked on as was diving for the line.

Bramley extended their lead on the quarter hour when Drake picked up a loose ball after a high bomb confused the Crusaders’ back-line, and ran 20 metres to score under the sticks. The half-back converted his own try to give his side a ten-point lead.

They extended their lead from the first set after kick-off when Matt Mullholland charged through to score in the corner.

And things went from bad to worse for the Crusaders two minutes later when Geraint Davies was sinbinned for an alleged professional foul. Drake happily kicked the resulting penalty and Bramley were 18-2 up.

He added a further penalty goal moments later just after a further blow for the Welsh side as Philippe Gardent was taken to hospital after injuring his head in a clash.

And when Jon Nicholls ran in under the sticks for a fourth Bramley try straight from kick-off, the game was as good as over. Drake had no problems with the kick.

The onslaught continued. Shaun Gilmour went over and Drake converted just before the interval to give Bramley a 32-2 lead.

Buffaloes opened the scoring six minutes into the second half with another Drake penalty, his third of the game, again given for holding down.

Crusaders finally crossed the line on 50 minutes following a fine set of six, Geraint Davies storming over after being set up by Tom Burnell from dummy half. Lloyd White converted.

But Bramley hit back straight away, Mullholland setting up John Richardson in the corner.

Jamie I’Anson added a further try for the Crusaders on 61 minutes, converted by White.

Jonathan Davies was next over the line as the Welsh side attempted a comeback. The try was beautifully created by Aled James who did well to catch a low pass before offloading to Lee Williams who set up Davies in the corner.

Tony Williams kicked a drop goal to seal things for the Yorkshire side before Nicholls rubbed salt into Crusaders wounds with a final Bramley try.

However Crusaders Colts had the final say – Lee Williams with the try, converted by White.

BRAMLEY BUFFALOES
1. Shaun Flynn
2. Andy McGann
3. Daniel Caston
4. Matt Mulholland
5. John Richardson
6. Paul Drake
7. Tony Williams
8. Richard Leese
9. Graham Harrison
10. Mark Butterill
11. Danny O’Connor
12. Danny Johnson
13. Jon Nicholls
Subs:
14. Thomas Well
15. Shaun Gilmour
16. Gareth Thirsk
17. Chris Gardner
Tries: Flynn (8), Drake (15), Mullholland (19), Nicholls (27, 75), Gilmour (39), Richardson (53)
Goals: Drake 7/11
Drop-goal: Williams

CRUSADERS COLTS
1. Ashley Griffiths
2. Jonathan Davies
3. Gary Williams
4. Lee Williams
5. Greg Callow
6. Lloyd White
7. Aled James
8. Jamie I’Anson
9. Tom Burnell
10. Geraint Davies
11. Phil Gardent
12. Lewis Fox
13. Chris Vitalini
Subs:
14. Gil Dudson
15. Lewis Mills
16. Mark Wool
17. Barrie Phillips
Tries: G.Davies (50), I’Anson (61), J.Davies (64), L.Williams (79)
Goals: White 4/5
Sinbinned: G. Davies (21, professional foul)

Referee: J.Roberts
Half-time: 32-2
Men of the Match:
Bramley – Paul Drake
Crusaders – Lee Williams
Gamestar: Paul Drake who marshalled the game superbly from half-back.
Gamebreaker: Bramley’s first half performance when they built a 30-point lead.

article by Ian Golden
14 September 2008