Reds finish just champion

Salford were crowned National League champions after a thrilling extra-time victory over Celtic Crusaders in the Grand Final at Warrington.

The Crusaders had one hand on the trophy after twice coming from behind and scoring four tries to three to lead 18-16 with just seconds remaining.

But Salford centre John Wilshere brought his side level with an injury-time penalty to force 20 minutes of extra time and the Reds ran in three tries against a tiring Celtic side to wrap up the win.

Salford were bidding to avenge a 44-18 defeat to the Crusaders a fortnight earlier and made a dream start when speedy left winger Paul White gave them a sixth-minute lead with a 50-metre interception try.

Right winger Matt Gardner added a second on 26 minutes, finishing off a superb crossfield handling move, and would have had another but for mis-timing his dive over the line and losing his grip on the ball.

Salford also had a try by prop Craig Stapleton disallowed while Crusaders winger Luke Dyer was denied by video referee Ashley Klein before the Welsh club finally got on the scoreboard three minutes before the break, winger Anthony Blackwood finishing strongly at the corner.

There was an even better finish from Celtic's other winger 12 minutes into the second with Dyer collecting centre Josh Hannay's pass by his bootlaces to dive over in spectacular fashion.

Brute strength

That cut the deficit to just two points and the Crusaders went in front for the first time on 54 minutes when former Wigan and Widnes forward Jordan James demonstrated brute strength to force his way over from close range.

Substitute Mark Lennon kicked a first conversion but Salford edged back in front on 63 minutes when Myler combined with loose forward Jordan Turner to get full-back Karl Fitzpatrick over for their third try and Wilshere added his second conversion.

The lead lasted just three minutes, however, with prop David Tangata-Toa intercepting Stefan Ratchford's pass on halfway and holding off the cover on a 40-metre sprint to the line.

The lead looked to have changed hands again when Fitzpatrick stretched out of a two-man tackle to plant the ball over the line but video referee Ashley Klein ruled a knock-on, a decision which quickly began to look crucial.

A knock-on then by Blackwood put the Crusaders under intense pressure in a tense finish and, when second rower Darren Mapp was punished for interference at the play-the-ball with just seconds left, Wilshere maintained his composure to level the scores with a 40-metre penalty.

The Crusaders had looked out on their feet by the end of normal time and they crumbled in the first period of extra time.

Salford second rower Ian Sibbit pounced on a grubber kick from Robbie Paul and then White grabbed his second try, with Wilshere adding both conversions to open up a 12-point lead.

The Reds continued to dominate the second period of added time and scrum-half Richard Myler capped a fine individual display by sprinting 60 metres for the game's final try, to which Wilshere added a sixth goal.

Crusaders' considerable consolation is that they will be playing alongside Salford in next season's expanded Super League.