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Salford City Reds v Celtic Crusaders preview
Written by: Ian GoldenMay 14, 2008 6:27pm
Salford City Reds v Celtic Crusaders (Thurs) Co-operative National League One Venue: The Willows, Salford Kick-off: 1930 BST, Thursday 15 May Coverage: Sky Sports 3 Celtic Crusaders face a tough match in front of the live Sky Sports cameras on Thursday when they travel to Co-operative National League One leaders Salford City Reds (kick-off 7.30pm). It’s the first ever meeting between the two sides, however Salford did go down in Welsh Rugby League history when they faced Cardiff City Blue Dragons in the Welsh club’s first ever game, played at Ninian Park. Crusaders and Salford, who have both applied for Super League licences for 2009, are both in good form with the Greater Manchester-based side still unbeaten in the League so far this season. Crusaders, who come into the game on the back of two hard-fought League wins, against Widnes Vikings and Featherstone Rovers, have named exactly the same squad of 19 that was declared for the Rovers game two weeks ago. David Tangata-Toa and Paul Ballard, both of whom didn’t take part in the 28-18 win, are available for selection again. Reds are still without goalkicking winger Andy Ballard after he underwent a hernia operation recently but John Wilshire should be available for selection after recovering from a hamstring injury. New Zealand international Robbie Paul is also expected to line-up against the Crusaders. Robbie’s brother Henry, has already taken on the Crusaders this season, when his Harlequins side went down 28-6 to the Welsh side at the Brewery Field in January. It will be the Crusaders’ first game in 13 days thanks to their non-involvement in the Challenge Cup. Salford, who last turned out ten days ago, will also benefit from the break and both teams have announced strong squads as a result. Crusaders coach John Dixon says that the weekend off was a good thing for his players. “I think every team can benefit from a bit of a break at this stage of the season,” he said. “We’ve a few players with bumps and bruises so it was probably better that they weren’t playing last weekend. However we’re all raring to go now and the clash against Salford should be a very competitive and exciting one.” The Crusaders have a nine-day break before their next game, a home game against Northern Rail Cup holders Widnes Vikings in the quarter-final of this years competition. The match, which will be played at the Brewery Field on Saturday 24th May, kicks off at 5.30pm. SALFORD CITY REDS: 19-man squad not yet announced at time of writing according to PA group (8.30am – 14/05/2008). Please check with PA group for updates. CELTIC CRUSADERS (from): Tony Duggan, Paul Ballard, Mark Lennon, Mark Dalle Cort, Anthony Blackwood, Damien Quinn, Jace Van Dijk, Jordan James, Neil Budworth, Gareth Dean, Chris Beasley, Darren Mapp, Neale Wyatt, Aaron Summers, Ian Webster, Jamie I’Anson, David Tangata-Toa, Josh Hannay, Luke Dyer. Crusaders Colts travel to Last of the Summer Wine land this Saturday when they take on Huddersfield Underbank Rangers in the picturesque Yorkshire town of Holmfirth (kick-off 2.30pm). The Colts are the form team in the competition with five wins from their first five games while Rangers are in fifth place in the ten-team league despite only winning one game all season. Three narrow defeats have given them three bonus points and with a points difference in the table of only minus eight, it shows that they have had close encounters all season. The young Welsh side will travel to Yorkshire full of confidence after their 58-20 thrashing of Liverpool on Merseyside last week but with another away game in a week’s time (at East Lancashire Lions), the side are looking forward to a home game on May 31st when they take on fellow unbeaten side, Bramley Buffaloes at the Brewery Field. “Away matches are draining,” said Colts coach Dan Clements. “But we’ve put in some good performances so far and everyone at the club has been really happy with how the team is progressing. We’re building the future of Welsh rugby league here and that’s what is really satisfying.”
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