Tyn-y-Wern, University of Glamorgan - Saturday 25th April 2009

Celtic Crusaders' under 16s took to the field for the very first time and went down 10-60 to a skilful and experienced Widnes Vikings side.

The Crusaders youngsters were 42-4 down at half-time and impressed in the second half with a more solid performance once they'd found their feet.

The home side scored one try in each half, Sam McComb in the opening period and Josh Ramsey, younger brother of the Arsenal midfielder Aaron, with a breakaway try near to the end of the game which was converted by Liam Harris.

Widnes Winger Tom Hirst scored 18 points through two tries and five goals with additional tries coming from Matty Naughton (2), Jack Williams (2), Callum Hayes, Brad Davies, Declan Sefton-Hulme, Alex Brown, Jordan Farrell and Jack Noone with Chris Atkin also landing a conversion.

Crusaders under 16's assistant coach Wayne Williams said: "This was a total and utter learning experience for all of our lads. We didn't have a great deal of preparation and for a lot of these players it was their first full rugby league match. For all players, going up against a side like Widnes was very challenging. However there were a lot of good individual performances, they showed promises and we're going to get better. This is a brand new team and despite the scoreline, this was a good first outing for us."

Penallta RFC - Saturday 2nd May 2009

Celtic Crusaders' under 16s showed a lot of improvement in their second ever game, going down 13-24 to Harlequins at Penallta RFC.

Owen Rees and Efan Ellis scored the Crusaders tries with Rhodri Lloyd kicking two conversions and a drop goal.

"This was a massive improvement on last week for our lads," said Crusaders' Head of Youth Development Andy Lindley commenting on the fact that the under 16s lost 60-10 to Widnes in their first game.

"They are learning every week which is the main thing. Seeing as it was only their second game, I was pleased with what I saw today and things are going forward for us."

Knowsley Road, St Helens - Saturday 9th May 2009

Crusaders' foundation academy side kept up their record of scoring one try in each half but they were taught a rugby league lesson by the experienced St Helens side at Knowsley Road on Saturday.

Saints' under 16s had too much fire power for the young Welsh lads running in nine tries, five of them before the interval.

Jon Fisher and Callum Welsby led the way with a brace of tries apiece for Saints with Tom Tunstall, John O'Donnell, Liam Fishwick, Joe Greenwood and Jordan O'Neill also crossing. Christian Bell converted seven of the tries.

Brad Thyrer and Tom Davies scored for the Crusaders with Rhodri Lloyd converting both.

Old Parish, Maesteg - Saturday 16th May 2009

Celtic Crusaders showed great improvement in their fourth Foundation Academy game, but still lost out 4-16 to Salford City Reds.

The Crusaders under 16s even took the lead for the first time in their four games. It was a good passing move just after the quarter hour mark which Scott Gibson ran in near to the corner.

But Salford went into the interval 10-4 up after two quick tries from Callum Marriott, with one of them being converted by Alex Davidson.

Davidson ran in a try of his own with a second conversion after the break to secure the win.

The under 16s finish their short season of friendlies next Saturday with a tough trip to Leeds Rhinos.

Stanningley, Leeds - Sunday 24th May 2009

Over the last six weeks, we have been fielding an under 16 "Foundation Academy" side in a series of friendlies against fellow professional clubs.

It was five tough games for our youngsters and while they failed to win a match, they showed a lot of promise in each game and these trials will have certainly helped them in their development as rugby league players.

"Although the scorelines were disappointing to the eye the boys showed a gradual progression throughout their games," said Head of Youth Development Andy Lindley.

"Now they're now putting on Wales shirts and training for the Under 16 European Nations Championships in Serbia in August. After that, it's Super League Junior Academy 2010 (under 18s) for a lot of them. We'll be pro-contracting a number of these players. This has been a good start for them and they're all going forward."

The conclusion came with the ultimate in tough games last Sunday, a trip to Leeds Rhinos, and to their credit, our youngsters scored more points than in any of the other four games but lost out 24-56.

With the half-time score at just 18-14 to the Rhinos, the Crusaders were still in the game, but the Leeds side's fitness showed through in the end. Owain Rees and Jack Pring each scored two tries with Rhys Watkins also crossing with Rhodri Lloyd kicking a conversion in each half.