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Celtic Crusaders produced a heroic performance against the Super League leaders at Knowsley Road on Friday evening but, first quarter of an hour aside, were never in any real contention to win against the league leaders. The Welsh side went into this match with just 16 first team squad members with last year’s reserves top scorer Lloyd White gaining a welcome promotion and starting in the halves alongside Van Dijk. With eight players on the injury list, including Luke Dyer and Matt Smith who failed late fitness tests, it looked to be nine as Ryan O’Hara cut his head in only the second minute of the game with Adam Peek replacing him. Thankfully he was patched up and came back on the field on 23 minutes. White was one of three players making their Super League debuts for the club. Reserve team top scorer Steve Tyrer had played in a Challenge Cup match earlier in the season, but has of course played Super League for Saints while Geraint Davies made his 41st appearance for the club, but his first in the elite after entering the fray on the half-hour. Saints made a mistake with their first kick of the game as Paul Wellens booted the ball straight into touch giving us a penalty on the half-way line. From that set we forced a goal-line drop out and the set ended with a half-chance as Jace van Dijk chipped but the ball was collected. Saints took the lead in their first real attack of the game. Sean Long and Leon Pryce combined to open up a gap for Lee Gilmour who ran underneath the sticks. Sean Long’s conversion was a formality. From the first set after kick-off, Pryce released Paul Wellens who paced through for Saints’ second. Long’s kick made the score 12-0. A Tony Puletua try converted by Long made the score 18-0 on 29 minutes. Long looked to have set up Chris Dean for a fourth try but some strong defending from Mark Dalle Cort and Lloyd White prevented the score. There were chances at the other end too. Van Dijk combined with Damien Quinn who kicked a grubber aiming for Steve Tyrer but the St Helens loanee wasn’t quite speedy enough to latch on. The defensive heroics continued. Francis Meli was held up over the line by Dalle Cort. Long had a chance and skilfully aimed for the line with his back to goal after a fine Jason Chan tackle, but Damien Quinn was too quick for him and scooped the ball out of his hands, preventing the touch down. However just before the interval, Matt Gidley finished off a fine passing move by grounding in the corner. Long converted again for a 24-0 interval lead. Lincoln Withers had a half chance to get Crusaders back in the game early in the second half but failed to get onto the end of Van Dijk’s kick. White, having an excellent debut was also prevented from running through for a score. Crusaders were putting up a very gallant performance but, like the game at the Brewery Field, were unable to get over the line thanks to some sterling defending from the home side. Adam Peek was close to picking up a Dalle Cort grubber but the ball went agonisingly into touch. A goal line drop out was forced from this move but Quinn knocked on and the momentum was lost. Saints hardly troubled the Crusaders line in the second half and put in a drab performance in the final 40 minutes. We were five minutes away from the half being devoid of points when the home side managed to get a try in the corner through Chris Dean. Long, having an excellent game, kicked the goal. St Helens: 1. Paul Wellens, 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 19. Chris Dean, 5. Francis Meli, 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long, 10. James Graham, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 15. Bryn Hargreaves, 11. Lee Gilmour, 12. Jon Wilkin, 13. Chris Flannery. Subs: 14. James Roby, 16. Tony Puletua, 17. Paul Clough, 23. Maurie Fa’asavalu. Tries: Gilmour (17), Wellens (20), Puletua (29), Gidley (39), Dean (75) Goals: Long 5/5 Crusaders: 6. Damien Quinn, 18. Mark Lennon, 22. Steve Tyrer, 4. Mark Dalle Cort, 5. Anthony Blackwood, 28. Lloyd White, 7. Jace Van Dijk, 8. Ryan O'Hara, 9. Lincoln Withers, 10. Mark Bryant, 17. Jordan James, 19. Jason Chan, 15. Peter Lupton. Subs: 23. Neil Budworth, 25. Geraint Davies, 16. Ben Flower, 11. Adam Peek. Half-time: 24-0 Referee: Gareth Hewer (Whitehaven) Attendance: 8,684
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