These things come in threes - Hull KR again beat Saders
Defeat for CC
By Chris O'Brien
June 21 2009
The Celtic Crusaders failed to build on the memorable win against Wigan on Saturday evening as they suffered a 32-18 defeat at the hands of the Hull Kingston Rovers on Saturday evening. A disappointing gate of 3,015 watched proceedings at the Brewery Field.
Cru started brightly and Mark Lennon, against his old club, fired over two penalties in the opening twelve minutes to hand the hosts a 4-0 lead.
However, the visitors quickly soaked up early Cru pressure and would go onto take control of the game. Clint Newton and Jason Netherton both bagged first-half tries with Michael Dobson on form with the boot as the visitors secured an eight-point half-time advantage.
John Dixon, lining up against his Welsh assistant boss Justin Morgan, saw his side stage a brief fightback after the interval however. Damien Quinn's awesome run and touchdown reduced the arrears to four before Ryan O'Hara latched onto an Anthony Blackwood pass to drive over. Both kicks, crucially, were missed and the scores were suddenly locked at twelve each.
However, Kris Welham's try settled the away side and tries from Newton and Dobson put the Humberside club firmly in charge.
Lincoln Withers ran over with only six minutes left as Cru threatened an unlikely late revival but Shaun Briscoe's effort rapped up the win for KR to the delight of their large band of travelling fans. The Robins, who have now beaten Cru three times this season, were more clinical and had more ideas in attack but on another day the Saders could perhaps have come away with something.
A hugely disappointing crowd of just 3,015 watched this one. Considering the hype that followed the Wigan win and the number of away fans - that's a poor turnout.
Next up is the very tricky trip to Saint Helens before two hugely winnable home contests against the Warrington Wolves and old rivals Salford.
Full Time - Saders 18-32 Hull KR
Attendance - 3,015
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
I reckon there were only about 2,000 Cru fans there which is not brilliant - especially after the Wigan victory and it being a nice day etc etc.
Do we want a successful RL team in South Wales or not !!?
Regarding the match, this one was always gonna be tricky. HKR are a side on fire this season by their own standards. I thought we did a lot better than Chris O'Brian states in his article. We were very close right up until the ref penalised us AGAIN for an alleged high tackle, which was extremely irritating since many of the KR flyting clotheslines seemed to elude the latest north-looking Mr Magoo that SL chose to foist on us.
For me the turning point of our season was taking out Wigan. I now believe we can take ANYONE in the bottom half of the table.
The next three home matches are Wire, Salford and Bulls. Though I firmly believe we will win at least 2 of those, it depends on whether or not the Bridgend Big Match Occasionals think these are big enough teams to get out of their armchairs and go "experience" (as opposed to support) the better code of rugby.
Free admission
A guaranteed win
And a free taxi home !!!
You forgot the personal welcome and thanks from all the team and coaching staff.
If it's not a big name, you couldn't get Bridgend spectators into the stadium if their armchairs were on fire.
It's my town and generally I like it here, but Bridgend doesn't deserve a great team like the Crusaders.