Crusaders 19 - Harwich & Dovercourt 13
Harwich got off to a flying start when they capitalised on a Crusaders handling error to score an unconverted try Crusaders responded well and gave the Harwich defence a torrid time before man of the match Stuart Cameron scored his first try, Triston Smith converted to give the home side a narrow lead. The home side's forwards scrummaged well and won more than their share of the of the ball but a lack of cohesion resulted in Harwich being rewarded with a number of relieving penalties.
Crusaders failed to heed the referee's early warning regarding quick release of the ball in the tackle and Harwich were rewarded two kickable penalties in front of the posts from 30 mtrs out, the Harwich kicker took advantage of one to restore the visitors lead. Crusaders pressed hard in the visitors 22 without success until finally Peter Blinkhorn scored following good work by the pack. Stuart Cameron's second try gave Crusaders a 19-8 half time lead.
Crusaders appeared to be happy to sit on their lead and it wasn't until Harwich scored a try that the game came alive again. Harwich had their tails up and it was Crusaders who spent the last ten minutes defending their lead. A great defence display in the last 15 minutes summed but by a try saving tackle by Triston in the last play of the game