Tough Home Again

Crusaders 2 v West Norfolk 3

Crusaders 26 West Norfolk 24

Second game of the year and another home game against West Norfolk 3 who had the biggest pack ive seen in ages.

The game started well with both sides having a good go at each other. The first chance of the game came to Ash who made a great break from just inside West Norfolk half and got to within inches of the line. The scrum from this was going backwards but was picked up by Ash who popped to Sluggy who was then stopped short of the line but West Norfolk were off side so the Referee gave a penalty try 5-0 Ross converting to make the score 7-0. The big pack was making very difficult for us to get very much good ball. A good lineout and good ball to the backs saw Ross break free the final pass just going a miss or Kyle would have been in from the wing. From the next line out West Norfolk backs were offside and quick thinking from cocky saw him burst through and pop the ball off to Chris who went over under the posts. 12-0 the kick hitting the posts.
The big West Norfolk pack then took control and scored after a good rolling maul to bring the score back to 12-5. We were really finding it hard to get any good ball and after another good move from there forwards they went over near the posts to make the score 12-10 and the kick was taken to level the scores 12-12. West Norfolk then got a penalty just outside the 22 which was kicked but missed badly.From the quick restart we were pulled back harshly for being in front of the kicker. From the next scrum we gave away a penalty after some good defence we looked as if we had held them out but the ball was taken on again by the forwards and just got over the line 12-17 but another kick missed half time 12-17 to West Norfolk.
At half time we spoke about getting quick ball out and kicking to the corners as we had the pace in the backs.
Straight away a good kick and chase by the backs saw Ross get to the full back and the fullback spilling the ball for Gareth from the medics to scoop up and go in under the posts 17-17 kick taken by Ross 19-17 great start to the 2nd half.
For the next 20 minutes we were under all sorts of pressure as the big pack taking every opportunity to take a scrum when they could great defence seemed to be holding them off a great effort by all 15.
West Norfolk were awarded a penalty just inside out 22 and took the scrum and were heading towards the line Billy got his hands on the ball but the Referee said the ball was not out so awarded the 2nd penalty try of the day and harshly yellow carded Billy(first time in his career). 19-22 kick taken 19-24.
Crusaders were under the cosh in the scrums but the heads never went down and the team manned up brilliantly a good kick over the top saw the ball into West Norfolk's 22 and a great line out saw good ball for the back which they used well and a great move saw Gareth break free a just get over by the posts to bring the score back to 24-24 Ross took the kick to make the score 26-24.
The game they spilled over more than once with the West Norfolk pack feet going all over our players and this led to another 2 players being carded for scuffle off the ball. Billy was now back on to make it 14 a side for the last 10 mins.
West Norfolk were awarded a penalty just inside the 22 and decided to go for goal as this would have won them the game but the kick was missed badly allowing us to clear our lines. Some good kicks and counter rucking saw us come home winners just.
Well done to all the boys this was a proper hard game of Rugby and every single player was up for the challenge and did not let the rough tactics get to them.
Nice to see new Player Sean get on and welcome back to Aiden for his first game in over a year even if did not last long (damn that yellow card).
Thanks to all the Crusaders players you made me proud again

Finally thanks to Trevor for the warm up and encouragement from the side

Much love the boss