Crusaders comfortable in 28-7 win over Lions   6 Apr 2014

Lynn McConnell

The game had few high points, especially during a lacklustre first half, which could be typified by the first scrum collapsing three times.  First five-eighths Colin Slade missed the shot at goal but  which saw the visitors claim a 6-0 lead courtesy of penalty goals in the 11th and 14th minutes to first five-eighths Colin Slade.

Indiscipline from the home team proved their undoing several times and when they made their first foray deep into the Crusaders 22m after 27 minutes their good work was undone when fullback Andries Coetzee was penalised for not releasing the ball.

The Crusaders lost No.8 Luke Whitelock to injury with around 10 minutes of the first half remaining. He was replaced by Jimmy Tupou.

Flanker Jaco Kriel made a fine break down the sideline but again the impetus was lost when hooker Willie Wepener was unable to hold the ball. It proved to be a common theme for the Lions, but they were not alone as wing Nemani Nadolo also knocked on in a promising situation for the Crusaders.

Wing Johnny McNicholl almost provided a superb start to the second half for the Crusaders when getting up to secure a kick and then haring off to almost score in the corner. No.8 Warren Whiteley's covering tackle denied him the try.

But four minutes later in the 46th minute second five-eighths Ryan Crotty got through and while ankle-tapped he was quickly back onto his feet to score.

Indicative of the self-control exhibited by the Crusaders was the fact that it was 48 minutes into the game before ace Lions goal-kicker Marnitz Boshoff got a kick at goal, and he missed for only the third time this season.

However, a strong run by flanker Willie Britz saw the Lions get out of their own half and when the ball was moved Lionel Mapoe scored in the corner for the home team.

The Lions employed their driving maul effectively from a lineout but again, the ball was knocked on in a crucial position this time by Boshoff.

The Crusaders applied the pressure and when Boshoff tried to run the ball from his own 22m he threw a wild pass as tackle and Crotty was on hand to grab the ball. However, the Crusaders were denied when the TMO ruled he was held up over the line.

With 10 minutes of the game left, fullback Israel Dagg extended the Crusaders lead to 16-7 when taking over the kicking while Slade was off the field for treatment of a blood injury.

Then halfback Andy Ellis found holes in the home defences and raced through to score by the posts with Tyler Bleyendaal on for Slade landing the conversion.

Just on fulltime Dagg slipped a chip kick through and centre Kieron Fonotia was able to get to the ball first for the try.

The home side did not help themselves with some poor lineout throwing throughout the game while the Crusaders secured 10 turnovers, many of them at crucial stages.

Scorers:

Lions 7

Tries: Mapoe
Con: Boshoff

Crusaders 28

Tries: Crotty, Ellis, Fonotia
Con: Slade con, Bleyendaal
Pen: Slade 2 Dagg

HT: 0-6

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