Anthony Seibold's Crusaders Blog

Last weekend another historic event occurred for the Celtic Crusaders in 2009 with the reserve team making their debut in the Super League Reserve Grade Championship against Leeds Rhinos prior to the World Club Challenge game across the city at Elland Road.

The step up for our reserves will be a huge one, perhaps even greater then the one our First team has faced.

The leap from National Conference to playing against the next generation of Super League stars will be a massive learning curve for our young Welsh players. Going from playing, with all due respect, teams and players from the Bramley Buffaloes and Hemel Hempstead et al to facing the best youngsters from Leeds, Wigan and St Helens and the many years of expertise coaching and playing experiences the youngsters from those teams have, will be difficult in no uncertain terms.

Facing Leeds first up was a massive test against arguably rugby