Celtic Crusaders kept up the pressure on Co-operative National League One top two Halifax and Salford by beating bottom side Dewsbury Rams on Sunday.

Crusaders took the lead through a Mark Lennon penalty goal, before Paul Ballard ran home a try in the corner.

Lennon added the conversion plus two more penalties, then scored an impressive individual try.

Rams hit back through Chris Langley and Chris Hall, but Crusaders replied as Tony Duggan and Jordan James crossed.

Crusaders substitute Neil Budworth rounded things off with a try with five minutes remaining.

Coach John Dixon was happy at his team's performance, but realises the Crusaders have a bigger test at home to Widnes on Thursday night.

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"Widnes are really first-class opponents and they're in good form as they showed against Salford last Thursday," he said.

"It is a short turnaround but that's they way things go at times, we'll just have to make sure we turn up and play well.

"Today's game was tough because conditions were adverse to playing rugby league.

"The gale that blew through the ground for the entire match made things difficult for both teams and we did well, especially through our defending in the second half.

"We were 18-4 up at half-time after playing with the breeze and after that it was tough.

"They scored with a kick through at the top of the second half, but we scored the next try which was crucial and it gave us breathing space."

Rams: Tom Colleran, Bryn Powell, Chris Langley, Chris Hall, Austin Buchanan, Ryan Smith, Liam Finn, Aaron Trinder, Pat Walker, Dominic Maloney, Chris Charles, Taran Wildey, Tere Glassie.
Subs: Andy Bostock, Martin Robinson, Jimmy Elston, Kane Epati.

Crusaders: Tony Duggan, Paul Ballard, Josh Hannay, Mark Dalle Cort, Anthony Blackwood, Damien Quinn, Mark Lennon, Jordan James, Ian Webster, Aaron Summers, Chris Beasley, Darren Mapp, Luke Dyer.
Subs: Geraint Davies, Neil Budworth, Ben Flower, David Tangata-Toa.

Att: 652