Planet Extra - sport

Celtic Crusade

08.09.09
The atmosphere was electric as the Bridgend-based Celtic Crusaders Rugby League side ran onto the pitch at Rodney Parade in Newport. Basement Jaxx’s Romeo had been playing loudly on the crystal-clear sound system, the sounds and lights of the pyrotechnic display was overwhelming, adding to the noise from the supporters around the ground. With talk of a multi-million pound development project for the ground, it will be quite a challenge to replicate the cacophony of noise in the treasured Hazell Stands.

I attended the Celtic Crusaders Super 12 game against the Leeds Rhinos at a difficult time for "the number one rugby league club in Wales". Six Australian players had been asked to return home by the UK Border Agency due to complications relating to their visas/work permits. A number of the UK-based players had suffered injury problems before the game to add to their lack of numbers but their opponents, Leeds Rhinos, were in no mood to go easy on them.

It was a harrowing game, but one could only watch in admiration as the the Rhinos broke the deadlock in less than four minutes, storming to a 34-0 lead at half time. There was respite for the fans at the start of the second half - twenty minutes passed before the Yorkshire side got back to business - but they scored another 34 points for a 68 points to 0 victory.
With the Crusaders finishing the season at the foot of the table there are a number of issues to reflect on but Celtic Crusaders chairman, Leighton Samuel, is totally committed to the cause. He reflected in an interview with the BBC:

"It's not been a good year and we've got a lot of lessons to learn. The first season is out of the way and our expectations weren't high, but we've not done well on or off the field... We've got to look forward to next year and make a lot of changes."

A part of those changes is a move from the Brewery Field in Bridgend. A ground-share deal has been agreed with the Gwent Dragons rugby union side after the Crusaders had received a warning about the standard of their facilities. There is talk of a return to Bridgend for one game and even a game in Wrexham, however, they plan to return to the area in around two years after the completion of a purpose-built stadium. Crusaders Chief Executive Mike Turner said that "given its central location, good transport links and rugby heritage, we believe that Bridgend can develop into a major centre for rugby league in Wales."

Whatever the future holds for the Celtic Crusaders the memory of the atmosphere at the first game played at Rodney Parade against the Rhinos provides proof that there is a following in Wales for this most vigorous and dynamic of games.

Dilwyn Roberts-Young