 The Celtic Crusaders are closing in on promotion |
Celtic Crusaders moved to the top of Co-operative National League Two with a 12-try win over Gateshead Thunder in their rearranged fixture in Bridgend. The Welsh side know that if they triumph at Oldham on Thursday and then away to Sunday's victims Gateshead on 9 September they will be champions.
That will secure automatic promotion for the Brewery Field outfit.
Rob Toshack, Neil Budworth and Anthony Blackwood led the Crusaders effort with two tries apiece.
Damien Quinn, Darren Mapp, Tony Duggan, Josh Hannay, Mark Dalle Cort and Luke Young all crossed to complete the rout, and Jace Van Dijk took the lion's share of the kicking with five successes.
Gateshead had remained competitive and only trailed 26-10 at half-time, but things turned after they had Dylan Nash sent off for a spear tackle on Duggan.
That result takes Crusaders to a 10-game winning run, knowing that if they can stretch that to 12 then they will play in National League One next season.
Crusaders: Tries: Toshack (8, 54), Quinn (12), Mapp (16), Duggan (19), Hannay (40), Dalle Cort (46), Budworth (51, 77), Blackwood (57, 75), Young (72). Goals: Van Dijk 5/7, Quinn 2/2, Hannay 1/3
Gateshead: Tries: Partis (23), Thorman (33), Peers (42), Stephenson (60), Wooden (63). Goals: Knowles 3/5.
Sent-off: Nash (45, spear tackle).
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