On Saturday, Crusaders Masters travelled west along the A66 to take part in the excellent Cumbria Masters Festival hosted by Carlisle Masters.
On the day Crusaders were backed up by our friends from North East Thunder Masters which allowed us a couple of subs.
For our first game, Crusaders took on Barrow Masters. Crusaders look a good while to settle into the game, and struggled to get to the back end of their sets. However, once the team had settled, a great game ensued. The white, black and some of the red shorters, got stuck into each other and Crusaders we’re thankful to their yellow and blue shorters who came up with some timely touches in defence. Unfortunately Crusaders lost yellow (60+) shorter Paul Goad early in the game. It transpires that his hamstrings are as dodgy as his musical taste. Get well soon Paul, you’ve got a month until we play Heworth.
After great match, Ben Smith took the Richard of the Day Award for managing to mess up the “3 cheers for Barrow” …… yes folks, we know that is nye on impossible to do, but Ben proved that with hard work, dedication and virtually no brain cells, it can be achieved.
Next up was a game against Maryport Masters. Things clicked much better for Crusaders in this game and a great game of Masters took place between the two sides.
Guesting for Crusaders were blue shorter (80+) and yellow shorter, George Taylor. Having both now played 5 guest games for Crusaders they recieve their heritage numbers (Jim 032, George 033). Nice one, and thank you, you pair of Masters legends!
Making his Crusaders debut was yellow shorter Jeff Williams. Jeff came and watched the Boothtown game, 2 weeks earlier, and decided he wanted in on the action.
Thank you Carlisle Masters for, not just, a great afternoon of Masters Rugby League, but also a fantastic spread afterwards.
We were also extremely happy to be selected as Team of the Day!!
Longers and Foxy, made the point that the posh Cumbrian joke had run its course. We were forced to agree and would like to apologise to their butler, who was so angry at our pre match write up he almost forgot to let the Chateau Lafite Rothschild breathe before the meat course. We take no responsibility, however, for their chef over cooking the Foie Gras, that’s a rookie error!
Crusaders would like to thank our shirt sponsors, Marstons. We would also like to thank our post match polo sponsors, Burties Hair Design, eCreative Design, Lighthouse Risk Services LLP, iSecure Group and Top Third.