EC 1 Wymondham 20 - Crusaders 17

This local Derby lived up to all expectations both sides left everything on the pitch in a pulsating 80 minutes, treating both sets of supporters to a Pre-Christmas treat. The lead changed three times with the home team the victors at the final whistle. Wymondham made the perfect start when Crusaders back-line were caught off-side at a line-out, Wymondham made a good line-kick to the corner, the well drilled Wymondham forwards made a good set from the line-out, their back-row crashing over to take the lead, the conversion was missed.
With only five minutes gone Crusaders lost wing forward Cullum Widderington with a back injury. Wymondham were looking the sharper in the first quarter and some astute line kicking kept them in Crusader territory.
A five mtr scrum awarded to Wymondham was initially well defended by the visitors but was moved out wide on the left where Wymondham had an overlap to increase their lead to 10-0, the conversion being missed.
Crusaders responded well and were beginning to boss the scrums and breakdowns causing Wymondham to concede a number of kickable penalties, each time Crusaders opted to go for the line out which Wymondham was doing well to disrupt but they failed to clear their 22 and from a ruck the lively Ryan Harris broke blind to touch down out wide, the conversion was missed. A fired up Crusaders were now on the front foot and continued to attack the blind side, with Jamie Dack and Ryan Harris stopped just short of the line. A good powerful scrum and a back row break was stopped short by a determined Wymondham defence but a big dive and stretch by scrum-half Loone gave Crusaders an equalising try, Loone's conversion drifted wide of the far post. All Crusaders hard work was undone when a neat kick from Ryan Harris was taken by the Wymondham fullback who called a mark, every player including the chasing Crusaders backs were convinced except the referee who allowed play to continue, Wymondham seized the opportunity to spin the ball wide and good back play was finally halted just short of Crusaders line. The home side scored their third try from the ensuing line out, Crusaders failing to defend their five mtr touchline 15-10 half-time.
Crusaders put huge pressure on Wymondham in the second half and must have spent thirty minutes in their 22. Penalty attempts were not the chosen option as they went for a scrum or line-out Wymondham's defence was like a brick wall and it was after conceding five penalties to keep the visitors out that the referee lost patience and awarded Crusaders a penalty try. Rob Loone converted to put Crusaders in the lead for the first time.
Wymondham's backs looked dangerous when they got the ball and worked their way out of defence to put pressure on Crusaders line. A five mtr scrum was won by Crusaders and moved wide behind their goal line for Phil O'Brien to kick for touch, his kick had the misfortune to strike an upright and cannon out of play behind the dead ball line, having taken the ball over their own line Wymondham were awarded a 5 mtr scrum which they secured and swift hands secured their winger a winning try.
Crusaders can reflect on a game that they enjoyed most of the possession, but it was Wymondham's clinical finishing that won the day.