Masters Enjoyed A Great Day at Barrow

On Saturday Crusaders Masters made the trip over to Barrow, to take on Barrow Masters at Redwaters, the home of Roose Pioneers.

The day started with a long awaited resurgence of the Breakfast Crew. Goadie, Jase, Gaz and Darren converged on Tebay Truckstop for some pre-match loading! A very pleasant surprise was that we were joined by our recent retiree, Don.

Crusaders travelled light for the fixture due to holidays, other commitments and last minute drop outs, however this was never going to stop the team from enjoying their day away. Barrow kindly loaned a player across for each half and a great game of 11 v 12 ensued.

Crusaders took some time to settle but after some encouragement and control from Lord Jonathan Farquhar Ruefuss Longden of Upper Eden, the team settled and started to complete their sets and gain good field position. For their part, Barrow played some great Rugby League and had Crusaders on the back foot on a number of occasions.

In the second half Crusaders continued to improve and crossed the white wash on a number of occasions, although one was chalked off when Barrow’s Go Go Gadget Arms managed to tag Scott from 10 metres away 🤣.

The second half provided 3 candidates for Richard of the Day. Firstly there was Ben versus Bomber. Ben offered himself up to run in a penalty for Crusaders only to be flattened by the shoulder of Bomber, Crusaders were awarded a subsequent penalty. Ben again volunteered to run the penalty in, only to be greeted by his new best mate, Bomber, with equal enthusiasm as the tackle before. This time the tough tackle dislodged the ball. The referee viewed it as a rip by Bomber and so Crusaders got their third penalty on the bounce! When asked if he wanted to take it in again, Ben replied “no, cluck (that’s very word he used - honest) that, I’m clucked!”

The second and third contenders came from the same incident. During an attacking set Barrow chanced their arm shouting “5th and last” on the 4th tackle. Lord Longden wasn’t falling that trick (again), well at least he wasn’t until Green shorter Barry had a senior moment and backed up what Barrow were saying, telling his Lordship it was the 5th and last, Longers then impressively launched the ball skyward. This of course led to Crusaders being penalised.

When the votes were in, it was Barry’s senior moment that took the honours.

As with previous meetings between the 2 teams this year, the game was a great contest, played in true Masters spirit.

Master of the Match for Crusaders was awarded to Butch who tackled hard, ran equally hard and bagged a great try.

At the beginning of the 3rd half, there was a sausage roll off, with Goadie sampling Barrow's best effort of the savoury delight, having got the Barrow lads to sample Richmonds finest when they came to us. It was a good effort Barrow, however, Goadie’s are better, haha!

Crusaders Masters would like to thank Barrow Masters for a great afternoon of Rugby League and hospitality. See you again next season!