Round 4 Hemel Stags vs Celtic Crusaders Colts:

HEMEL STAGS 6 CELTIC CRUSADERS COLTS 74

Hemel suffered their second home defeat at the hands of league leaders Celtic Colts. Celtic maintained their sensational start to the campaign with an overwhelming victory at Hemel. Stags that were without 8 first teamers were always going to be up against it. Celtic led by outstanding hooker Tom Burnell, who posted two tries and 11 goals for a 30 point haul, the Welshmen had too much firepower for an inexperienced Stags outfit, whose frustration clearly got the better of them in the second half.
Having been comprehensively outplayed as the visitors romped to a 34-0 interval lead, Hemel had Barry John Swindells sin binned twice and then sent off along with Peter Clarke and Blake Kirby who were also dismissed in what was a game that was played with great spirit by both sides. Celtic showed their expansive intentions from the off, wing Greg Callow - who was also later sin binned in a 58th minute mêlée - scoring twice inside four minutes early on. Mark Wool followed that and Elliott Kear on the right flank scored the first of his hat trick in the 24th minute.
In the run up to half time, Burnell claimed his first touchdown and just after the break, Swindells had his first rest for a swinging arm. And then from the next set, Lee Williams extended the Crusaders’ lead and just before the hour, Callow and Swindells saw yellow and Clarke red for running in. Ernie Evans came close for the Stags when after good work from dummy half he was held up over the line. Kear immediately made the extra numbers tell on the overlap and Barrie Phillips crossed before Lee Williams and Chris Vitalini did likewise, again back to back.
Caine Wynyard scored Hemel’s sole touchdown in the 70th minute after storming over from 5 yards out showing great strength. Within a minute of each other Swindells and Kirby were both marched for high tackles.
Kear again and Gary Williams with consecutive touchdowns completed the 13 try rout which left Celtic coach Dan Clements highly satisfied.
Hemel have a couple of weeks before their next game and are hoping to get players back from injuries.

Tries: Wynyard (70)
Goals: Swindells
Hemel Man of the Match: Ian Grimes
Hemels Payers Player Award: Caine Wynyard