Celtic Crusaders coach John Dixon was encouraged by side's Super League debut, after their 28-6 defeat at champions Leeds Rhinos.
Promising debut from Welsh side against Super League champions
Celtic Crusaders coach John Dixon was encouraged by side's Super League debut, after their 28-6 defeat at champions Leeds Rhinos.
The newcomers looked to be heading to a real battering as they trailed 22-0 at half time, but they grew in the second 40 minutes at Headingley.
The Welsh side eventually finished 28-6 losers but their first Super League try and improved second half display gave them hope for the season.
"We played for 80 minutes," said Dixon. "The scoreline had the potential to skip away from us but it didn't and that's credit to the players.
"I was very pleased with the efforts of the players, particularly to share the second half.
Second half
"We were a whole lot better in the second half. We gave a decent account of ourselves and we will get better.
"I thought it was pretty encouraging. They can look each other in the eye and said we had a go."
Rhinos boss Brian McLennan praised the Bridgend side, and sees a decent season ahead after their second half display.
"I thought in the second half they had better structure than us in attack," he said.
"They asked some questions of us and got some repeats sets on us. It was a good effort by them because they haven't really had a chance to get their cohesion going yet.
"If I was Celtic, I wouldn't be too perturbed about losing. I think they will get better as they go along."
Improvement
Overall, despite two tries from full-back Lee Smith and Scott Donald and Ryan Hall also touching down before half-time, McClennan was not satisfied with the performance.
"I should have said nothing at half-time," said McClennan. "To get a crowd of 14,500 in the cold and for the ground staff to get the field ready was a big plus.
"I think they performed better than we did. It was a wonderful effort by the ground staff and supporters.
"We will serve up better next week. In the first quarter I thought we were really good.
"In the first 20 minutes everything felt right but there is not a lot to say about the rest."
