HALF TIME: Celtic Crusaders 0 Warrington Wolves 6 (From Warrington Guardian)

HALF TIME: Celtic Crusaders 0 Warrington Wolves 6

6:54pm Saturday 4th July 2009

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JON Clarke’s try ensures Wolves lead Celtic Crusaders 6-0 at half time in a real blood and guts battle at Brewery Field.

The Warrington hooker capitalised on indecision in the home defence to score after nine minutes but there is little to separate the sides.

In their determination to make a good start, the determination and sheer tenacity from both sides was seriously impressive.

The action was fierce, if slightly chaotic at times, tackles flying in all over the field to make ball retention extremely difficult.

Warrington in particular coughed up possession all too often, although monumental workrate and a thick slice of luck saw them go ahead.

The Celtic defence dawdled and dallied under a testing high bomb from Simon Grix and Clarke spotted his chance, snaffling the loose ball to make a beeline for the right corner.

Chris Hicks’ touchline conversion made it 6-0.

An all too familiar problem prevented Wolves extending their lead six minutes later.

Taking a pass from Clarke, Grix stepped through the defence and headed for the line but his fumble provided Crusaders with a fortunate escape, giving them a welcome chance to re-group.

Unable to keep hold of the ball in the face of the hosts’ heavy defensive pressure, Wolves conceded soft yardage, while a string of penalties helped Celtic creep towards the try-line.

On-loan St Helens centre Steve Tyrer looked to have gained his side a deserved breakthrough when he dived over the line from dummy half.

But the touch judge decided he had been held up and the Warrington defence stayed strong.

A glorious try-scoring opportunity was bombed when Michael Monaghan’s pass to send Louis Anderson through a gap went forward, while Peter Lupton threw away possession on the try-line at the opposite end.

Celtic kept knocking at the door in the run up to half time but the hardworking Wolves ensured it remained firmly shut.

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