Crusaders Take The Points

Crusaders 8 - Ely 5

Crusaders battled for the full 80 minutes to thoroughly deserve this victory against high flying Ely. Ely scored mid-way through the first half but failed to convert their try. An injury to Rob Dye brought Pete Blinkhorn off the bench and Crusaders pounded the Ely line for an equaliser resulting in a penalty against the visitors, which was well converted by Tristan Smith. Although Ely were enjoying more posession, good Crusaders defence held the score at 3-5 half time.

Shortly before the second half a bad injury to Shaun Patterson who was having an excellent game required an ambulance and the game was delayed for 15 minutes. Rob Dye had recovered enough to make the replacement and an even more fired up pack took the game to Ely and tested their defence to the limit. Crusaders were awarded with a kickable penalty but Tristan Smith's goal attemp drifted wide.

Crusaders tireless forwards continued to pound the Ely line and Ely's heroic defence continued to hold on to their narrow lead. Eventually the stale mate was broken when scrum half Robert Loone touched down at the back of a pushover scrum. The conversion drifted wide 8-5. Ely's response was a prolonged assault in the Crusaders 22. Crusaders hung on to the lead with determination, with Ryan Harris, Greg Thurston and Rob Craig earning a lot of the credit and try scorer Rob Loone for descision making at scrum half.
Ely Just held up the forwards over the line 3 times in the last couple of minutes. The final whistle came for Crusaders to secure a great win.
All wish Sean a speedy recovery from his dislocated knee