Brain Match Report Crusaders Back To Winning Ways

ECRugby Results League I

Crusaders 40 - Thurston 10

Crusaders started brightly and soon stretched the the Thurston defence with some crisp handling moves. Thurston buoyed up by last week's win only their second of the season drove out of their half with a well executed rolling maul gaining 40 metres and a penalty for their efforts. A well placed touch from Allen put Crusaders under pressure near their Try line, resulting in Ashley Smith being sin binned for a high tackle. Thurston capitalised and from another good rolling maul Baxter touched down and Allen converted to give the visitors a surprise but deserved lead.
Crusaders response was swift and following intense pressure, winger Kieran Moralee was held up over the line. A big Crusaders scrum sucked in the visitors back row and quick ball allowed Jordon Long to jink his way over between the posts, Tristan Smith converted to level the score.
Crusaders pack were now in control and were rewarded with a push over try by Josh Stuart swiftly followed by a typical Ashley Smith try, the centre crashing through two tackles to score, both were converted by Smith. Ashley Allen struck a neat penalty for Thurston to leave the visitors trailing 21 - 10 at half time.
Crusaders scrummaging soon took its toll on the the visitors and two front row injuries resulted in unopposed srummaging and spoilt the game as a spectacle. Crusaders frustration was evident as they racked up far more infringements then the visitors who were now enjoying far more possession. Despite this setback Crusaders were still able to add three more tries, two from Peter Blinkhorn and one from Stuart Byrne, Tristan Smith kicking 5 out of 6 conversions - Final Score 40 - 10.