Southwold retained their unbeaten league record

Crusaders 1st XV 6 -v- Southwold 27

Southwold retained their unbeaten league record in a game much more closely contested than the score suggests. The league leaders gave Crusaders a lesson in finishing.
Crusaders forwards were more than a match up front and provided an equal number of scoring opportunities, but a lack of ball control in crucial positions when challenging their opponents line prevented a try. By contrast, Southwold ran in three tries before half time. Two well struck penalties by Theo Elliott kept Crusaders in touch at the interval - 6 - 15.
Crusaders fought hard to close the gap, but failed to secure own lineout on two occasions when in a good position near Southwold line. Southwold made no mistake with their opportunities when good support play created the extra man out wide for try number four.
Crusaders opted for a scrum when they were awarded a penalty in front of the Southwold posts and came very close to a try as their forwards walked to Southwold line, but the visitors defence stood solid and the ball was cleared upfield.
Southwold scored a further try to cap off an all round good team performance.

Southwold try scores :- Barton, Smith, Mullen and Hardingham
A big plus for Crusaders was the return off the bench of Prop Ed Wood and Flanker, George King after long injury lay off