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O'Hara returns for crucial Reds clash

Friday 30th July 2010

 

Crusaders RL have been given a huge boost with the news that Ryan O'Hara has been named in the 19-Man squad to face Salford
City Reds at the Racecourse this Sunday (kick-off 3pm)
 

The New South Wales State-of-Origin star returns to the fold after missing the last three games with a back injury and will be in contention to start against Shaun McRae's side. O'Hara's inclusions means full-back Elliot Kear drops out on the 19-man squad.
 

Gareth Thomas is back in training, but is not quite ready for first team action as he makes his recovery from a groin injury.
 
 

Crusaders' play-off charge has been revitalised in recent weeks, and the Wrexham side will be looking to secure a third successive victory with a win against the Reds on Sunday.

 

And Crusaders Head Coach Brian Noble believes his side's recent good form is entirely down to his players

 

"If we get into the play offs, I think the players would deserve the credit if that happens. We just get to point and steer the ship, they are people doing it week in week out," Noble said.
 

"It would be a great achievement, but it is not an achievement until we get past Sunday and the following Friday so I am reticent to talk about anything like that until we are in a position to talk about that.
 

"I am extremely proud of what we have already done, absolutely and utterly.
 

"We are determined to do well. I can see that in practises at the moment, we are vigorous at the moment. We look energised, which is pleasing and we are getting people back from injury at the right time.
 

"It's good, we have had a couple of good wins, we didn't play to shabbily in the losses leading up to the wins and there is a message there that our application and attitude has been good. It's important that we maintain our thought process because Sunday is an important game for us and also a dangerous one.
 

"We've managed to put ourselves back in the ring and it would be silly to let that slip and we are determined not to. If we are any way
off our game they will get us and we know that.
 

"We recognise that Salford don't have any pressure as such, whatever they achieve will be on the back of playing together. They're
very competitive team, they competed well against Leeds last week. If you allow them to play rugby they can be a very dangerous team.
 

"The success for this team is week by week. I think if we focus this week we may have that kind of success again. The league ladder takes care of its self, it always does. "

 

Vince Mellars believes his partnership with Nick Youngquest can fire Crusaders into the play-offs.

 

The Kiwi centre has been in scintillating form for Brian Noble's side this season, and is Crusaders top try-scorer after going over the whitewash eleven times this season.

 

Mellars,26, has had several wing partners this season, but is now developing a fruitful partnership with Aussie flyer Nick Youngquest. The former Gateshead and St George man is the Crusaders top meter maker this season, having made 2419 meters this season, scoring six tries.

 

And Mellars believe he is starting to develop a solid partnership with Nick.

 

"It's been good having a settled partnership." Vince said.

 

" There has been quite a shuffle of wingers throughout the season for one reason or another. But Nick and I have had a few games together now and it's going well.

 

"I'm happy because any team in Super League needs a combination and I reckon myself and Nick have got a good partnership going. We're developing a good understanding. We're starting to know each other's strengths, Nick's got great pace and he knows his way to the try-line."

 

Crusaders (from) - 2. Nick Youngquest, 3. Tony Martin, 4. Vince Mellars, 7. Jarrod Sammut, 8. Ryan O'Hara, 9. Lincoln Withers, 10. Mark Bryant, 11. Weller Hauraki, 12. Jason Chan, 13. Rocky Trimarchi, 14. Luke Dyer, 15. Tommy Lee, 16. Frank Winterstein, 17. Adam Peek, 18. Jamie Thakray, 19. Jordan James, 23. Peter Lupton, 26. Clinton Schifcofske, 27. Rhys Hanbury

 

Salford City Reds (from) 1. Karl Fitzpatrick, 7. Jeremy Smith, 3. Mark Henry, 5. Ashley Gibson, 12. Luke Adamson, 10. Rob Parker, 17. Adam Sidlow, 9. Malcolm Alker, 2. Jodie Broughton, 4. Willie Talau, 26. Mark Sneyd, 13. Luke Swain, 14. Matty Smith, 15. Stuart Littler, 19. Ryan Boyle, 20. Steve Tyrer, 6. Stefan Ratchford, 8. Ray Cashmere, 32. Adam Neal