L I O N S 2 0 1 2

CELTIC CRUSADERS COLTS 44 FEATHERSTONE LIONS 12 – Brewery Field, Bridgend

Featherstone Lions’ reign as RLCN title holders came to an end as they were overrun by the Crusaders Colts, Dan Clements’ men making the Grand Final at the end of their debut season.

Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium will now see a Celtic double on Grand Finals day next Sunday, with the junior side joining the seniors at the showcase event after a comprehensive eight-try performance; each of their touchdowns coming from a different player in a fine all-round team performance.

Two tries in three minutes just after the break – both laid on by the excellent Lloyd White – proved to be the key to victory for the Celts but Lions’ indiscipline cost them early on in the game with two sinbinnings in the first 20 minutes.

The first was barely five in, when Simon Child was despatched for dissent and the Crusaders took immediate advantage, White breaking through to set up Greg Callow who went over in the corner, White kicking the tricky conversion.

Featherstone equalised five minutes later, Richard Frankland kicked an inch perfect grubber under to the posts and Stuart Davies outran his markers to pounce, Danny Giles levelling.

Philippe Gardent was close to a second Crusaders try but dropped the ball when under pressure near the line and no sooner was Child back on, Lions were similarly short-handed again when loose forward Jamie Nicholson was also sinbinned for backchat.

As before, with the man advantage, Colts worked their way up the field to take the lead, this time hooker Tom Burnell forcing his way over.
They extended their advantage to 10 points when Gil Dudson scored between the posts with White converting.

Straight after the interval it was 22-6, Neale Wyatt palmed the ball back to White who opened up a gap for ChrisVitalini to race 30 metres to score and White beautifully set up the next try, straight from kick off, with another majestic run, Elliot Kear on the end of it.

Lions battled their way to a try back on 56 minutes following a period of intense pressure, winger Ben Smith finally finding a gap but their hopes were shortlived.
Crusader Lewis Mills was denied a try after the referee blew for a knock-on and Phil Cushion and Kear, who were both outstanding throughout, went close.

Mills finally touched down with 11 minutes remaining on the end of a fine set of six, Kear made the initial metres while Vitalini, Wool and Burnell also had a hand in its creation.

Two excellent individual tries from Mark Wool and Lee Williams in the last ten minutes sealed victory, on another historic afternoon in Bridgend.
Crusaders coach Clements was understandably elated at the outcome. “This is what we’ve been aiming for all season” he said.
“We’re delighted that the whole club will be in Warrington next week and we hope it’ll be a day to remember.”
“This was an excellent team performance, we were focussed and we’re looking forward to taking on Bramley for a final time this season.”