Leeds Rhinos Reserves 40 Celtic Crusaders Reserves 48! : Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:21 pm  

people knock the Celtic Club but least they are trying to bring Welsh Guys through as seen by the press release. This will take time but the wheels are in motion to bring through Welsh players. Its this reason why I have no problems with them as they are not just an Aussie Club like Paris SG, Gateshead etc were. They also have a Structure from the First team down to Schools Level. They are promoting the game in Wales. Maybe it could have been better done by the RFL but people should not knock Celtic or the work they are doing.

Loren Quick, Jamie Tibbs and Harri Greville have all been promoted to the Reserves after excellent performances for the Crusaders under-18 side in the Gillette National Youth League this season.

Ten of the 17 Crusaders Colts players (ALL WELSH!) who beat the Bramley Buffaloes 26-4 in last year’s final, are in coach Dan Clements’ 18-man travelling squad. This includes last year’s Grand Final skipper Geraint Davies, who retains his captaincy.

Davies is one of six first team squad members in the side with Paul Ballard, Steve Tyrer, Aled James, Mark Lennon and David Tangata-Toa joining him. This will be the first outing of the season for all of these players bar Tangata-Toa who turned out for the Crusaders first team two weeks ago against Salford City Reds.

Crusaders head coach John Dixon said: “We’re excited about the reserves playing their first game against Super league opponents. Our first team kicked off against Leeds Rhinos a few weeks ago and for this team to go up and play against Rhinos reserves, one of the best nurseries in Super League, well it’s a great place for them to start as well.

“People talk about the Welshness of the Crusaders, well this is where the young Welsh rugby league players have their chance to shine. We have some young boys in the side who started with the under 18s. This is the next step to the elite level for them. I’m hoping that the reserve team, like the first team, can make some adjustments and recognise that to play at elite level requires certain aspects be it physical or technical and give a good account of themselves.”

: Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:32 pm  

Looking at some of the things they've done to develop Grassroots RL in Wales over the past year or two, they're doing well, Apparently when they held a trials day for either the Colts or the Junior side (I forget which) over 100 Players turned up.

So there must be a level of interest from Union Players, as I doubt all the 100 that showed up were RL Players given Union's Dominance in that area of Wales.

It'll take time before the young welsh players are of the required standard to get into the Crusaders 1st team, But they've only been at it fr a couple of seasons so will need time to develop players.

: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:20 pm  

I really do hope that Crusaders can get an interest in RL down there, and I hope they can build a decent team without needing a team full of Aussies.

It's their "Fast Tracking" to Super Duper League that has made them an embarrassment as far as the fans are concerned, and that's not down to the team, the coaching, or the fans, it's down to the RFL and their Club Directors IMO.

: Fri Feb 27, 2009 8:48 pm  

Yob wrote:

I really do hope that Crusaders can get an interest in RL down there, and I hope they can build a decent team without needing a team full of Aussies.

It's their "Fast Tracking" to Super Duper League that has made them an embarrassment as far as the fans are concerned, and that's not down to the team, the coaching, or the fans, it's down to the RFL and their Club Directors IMO.

Nah I cannot stand 'em end of.
Sorry.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:21 pm  

Great win away at Leeds especially with a very strong welsh presence. Hopefully some will make the step up to SL level.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:25 pm  

leeds played a lot of their 18 year olds kids and crusaders played 6 first teamers, but deserved the win.
Gareth Moore scored a hat trick not that it will be of interest to fax fans im sure.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:32 pm  

Fax are hardly missing him mate as they are winning 18-46 at Sheffield!

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:42 pm  

not saying that or expecting they would be mate they have a decent enough squad anyway and were always going to be a top two team. Just hope that Black and Penky stay fit because that is when this might become an issue.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:46 pm  

Rhino Roy wrote:

Just hope that Black and Penky stay fit because that is when this might become an issue.

It's not an issue. It's out of the club's hands - he didn't want to play for his place. Players like that destroy dressing room morale. If he plays his cards right he'll continue to impress at Headingley and put himself in the shop window again or maybe catch the eye of McClennan.

: Sun Mar 01, 2009 5:08 pm  

Rhino Roy wrote:

leeds played a lot of their 18 year olds kids and crusaders played 6 first teamers, but deserved the win.
Gareth Moore scored a hat trick not that it will be of interest to fax fans im sure.

That's hardly fair Roy, none of the fans had a problem with Gareth, in fact most of us had him down as the starting stand off, we knew he would score plenty of points given a chance but at the risk of derailing the thread he didn't stand out, in the games where he played he was outshone by the other halfbacks, one of which was only 16 and the rest were not true halfbacks. While he is without doubt very quick with a decent step, Moore created very little for the rest of the side and individuals don't win games on their own, no matter what anyone says.

I was worried about the lad when he said it wasn't his game to tell people where to run, if so then he needs to pick a new position and put on some weight because he will never be a quality half if he can't.

If the alleged drinking was the issue then fair play to him but it looks so far that he bottled it and then refused to stay and fight for his place. This league may be of a lower standard than SL but at this end of the National League spectrum no player is guaranteed a place especially when he is being outperformed. If he wants guaranteed 1st team games maybe he should follow in the footsteps of his mate at Quins who dropped to NL2 and shone.

All that said I don't think any of us think Moore was a bad player, he just wasn't right for us, I for one wish him good luck except when/if he plays against us