No Away Win But Get 4 Try Bonus Point

No Away Win But Get 4 Try Bonus Point

Crusaders travelled to Mersea Island always a tough place to go to.
We started strongly and after just 1 Minute Full back Alex Kelsall collected the ball in his own 22 and ran in a brilliant try under the posts 0-5 converted by Theo Elliott 0-7. Mersea came back strongly and after a good drive scored 5-7 conversion missed.
After a good move Mersea released there winger who was flying a tackle by Alex was deemed to be high and resulted in a yellow card for the fullack. Mersea quickly scored a converted try to go ahead 12-7. Crusaders were under pressure a kick forward by Mersea was well collected by James Garner who ran the ball back with interst and a good pass to Theo Elliott saw him break the line and a great pass to the Flying Charlie Hawkins who out sprinted the defence to score under the posts converted by Theo Elliott 12-14.
The Game was then very close both sides breaking the line but good defence by both sides keeping score clsoe. Crusaders were being constantly pinged by the ref for offside seemed very harsh. Just before the break again a penalty was given to the home side and was kicked to put the ahead 15-14. From the kick off a good break and recycling of the ball saw Mersea score a good try and converted Half Time 22-14.
Crusaders started second half strongly and a penalty for off side saw Theo Elliott kick the penalty 22-17. Game on.
A great break from the backs saw the ball come through the hands quickly and James Garner out sprinted the defence to score in the corner 22-22 conversion just missed.
The game changed with Alex Kelsall having to go off and the ref then very very harshly yellow carded Vince Cook. The home side took full advantage of this to run in tries.
The team never gave up and the returning George King Sprinted 40 yards to score in the corner and give us the 4 try bonus point.
Final score 45-27.
Game we were never out of and if we had have had a better run of the decisions from the ref the game would have been closer.
Man Of The Match Charlie Hawkins very close run thing with Ryan Harris again being very close to get it.