A controversial disallowed try denied Celtic Crusaders a possible share of the spoils on their debut with Featherstone Lions going down 24-18 at the Brewery Field in Bridgend.

Crusaders, in their first run out at this level, began nervously with hooker Jack Candlin and Danny Barnes putting the Lions into a ten point lead in as many minutes.

Pacy winger Dalton Grant got the Celts on the board just before the interval and second rower Ross Wardell reduced the

gap to two points soon after it.

With scrum half Adam Jones creating constant menace for the hosts with his sniping runs, a blistering spell of three tries in nine minutes put Featherstone in charge. Josh Hardcastle, Billy Hale and Candlin crossed but the Crusaders staged a late revival. Outstanding prop Anthony Symmonds crashed over for the Welshmen and Grant grabbed his second on the hour to put the Crusaders within six.

article by Ian Golden
14 September 2008