The Crusaders Colts were established as a feeder team for the Celtic Crusaders rugby league team, and participated in the Rugby League Conference National Division in 2008. The side was set up as a joint venture by the Crusaders club and the Wales Rugby League board to allow Welsh players to play a higher level of rugby than the current Welsh Premier division which was made up of all the other Welsh teams across South Wales.[1] The Crusaders Colts were coached by Dan Clements,[2] and won the Conference National in their only season, coming second in the league table by losing just three matches,[3] but eventually winning the Grand Final by beating Bramley Buffaloes 26–4.[4] However, due to the Celtic Crusaders promotion into Super League, the team were disbanded and a new reserve grade side was established solely by the club for the 2009 season.[5][6] The team played in a striped gold and black shirt, with black shorts and socks.[7] Many of the Colts players went on to represent Wales at various levels,[8] play in the Crusaders first team, or joined the South Wales Scorpions.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Wales Rugby League - Colts Announced Archived July 8, 2011, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 7 September 2010.
- ^ Glamorgan Gazette - David Ready To Take On The World Retrieved on 7 September 2010.
- ^ Bramley Buffaloes - History Archived 2011-11-13 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 7 September 2010.
- ^ Crusaders RL - Colts 2008 Grand Final[usurped] Retrieved on 7 September 2010.
- ^ South Wales Scorpions - Crusaders Colts Retrieved on 7 September 2010.
- ^ TotalRL - New 2009 Season Retrieved on 7 September 2010.
- ^ TotalRL - Colts Pictures Retrieved on 7 September 2010.
- ^ South Wales Echo - Crusaders Students Set For Global Challenge Retrieved on 7 September 2010.
- ^ Western Mail - Scorpions Sign Geraint Davies Retrieved on 7 September 2010.