Crusaders started strongly and after 9 minutes were awarded a penalty just outside the 22 and the impressive Theo Elliott slotted it over to give the away side a 0-3 lead. Crusaders again put pressure on Mersea line and another Penalty outside the 22 which again Theo Elliott slotted over 0-6 13 minutes.
The big Mersea side were putting Crusaders under pressure but the tackling was excellent. From a line out on Crusaders 22 Mersea drove on stopped just before the line. The scrum half wiggled through to score the conversion was missed 5-6.
After 30 mins Ryan Harris picked a brilliant line to break the defence come short just of the line and Mersea able to stop the ball going out wide.
Half 5-6

Second half Mersea started very strongly and had 3 scrums on the Crusaders line but the defence was excellent stopping them going over and we were able to clear to safety. The Defence all day was excellent in a tight game this is the commitment required to win tough games.
Mersea had a line out on our 22 and a good catch a drive saw them finally break our line 10-6 to Mersea.
With the game come to an end Mersea had an opportunity to extend there lead with a penalty just inside the 22 but it was missed.
Crusaders got a penalty inside Mersea 22 and again Theo converted to bring the score to 10-9 with eight minutes to go.

Crusaders were now on the up and wanted to secure the win from the restart the forwards picked and drove up field just outside the 22. Mersea had to slow ball down and gave a penalty away.
Great quick thinking by Johnathan Payne saw a quick tap and he was off leaving Mersea in his wake a good pass to Theo Elliott saw Theo just come up short but a well timed pass to Lewis Kenworthy saw the young winger score
10-14.
Mersea had no time to get back into the game great effort by the Whole 18 man squad.
Great start to league campaign
Mersea Island is always one of the hardest places to go to all season.

Man Of Match Theo Elliott