Match Reports

The Crusaders have chalked up a win in their first overseas encounter of the Investec Super Rugby season.  They beat the Lions in Johannesburg by 23-13.

An ugly first half started with two Lions players down within the first two minutes of the game and one of them, James Kamana, being stretchered off the field.  The Lions regrouped though, dominating early possession and putting the first points on the board with a penalty conversion by Butch James.

Crusaders second-five Tom Taylor reciprocated three minutes later, but James added another three points for the Lions soon after.

The first try went to Crusaders wing Zac Guildford in the 31st minute and Taylor added the extra points off the post to put the Crusaders up 10 points to 6.

The Lions came back fighting and Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis did well to hold up a potential try from Franco van der Mewe.  Undeterred, the Lions went straight back on the attack and this time it resulted in a try for Patric Cilliers. So it was the Lions who headed into the halftime break with the lead, 13 points to the Crusaders’ 10.

It was the Crusaders who came out of their changing sheds firing though, and just three minutes into the second half they had scored their second try.  A neat grubber kick from Israel Dagg was pounced on by Sean Maitland who dove over for the try. Taylor again added the extra points so the Crusaders were up 17-13.

While the Crusaders did not capitalise on all of their opportunities, two more successful penalty conversions by Taylor in the 49th and 64th minutes gave them a healthy lead and sound defence kept the Lions from adding to their halftime score.  That gave the Crusaders the final 23-13 winning margin.