Match Reports

The Highlanders have beaten the Crusaders 26-18 at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.

The southern men were fired up for this clash after losing their earlier encounter at Carisbrook and they deserved their victory, outscoring the Crusaders three tries to two.

Former Canterbury wing James Paterson scored two tries for the Highlanders, with fellow wing Siale Piutau scoring the other.

For the Crusaders, Zac Guildford scored an excellent first half try following good work by Israel Dagg.

The Crusaders other try was scored by second-five Adam Whitelock, who swooped on a dropped ball by the Highlanders to run 60m and score.

The Crusaders began very well, capitalising on a kick-off which went out on the full and then a scrum penalty which Matt Berquist kicked from near halfway.

Veteran Highlanders first-five Tony Brown levelled with his own penalty before Guildford scored a scorching try after 15 minutes.

A run by Robbie Fruean created the chance and Dagg and Guildford combined beautifully, the little wing continuing his recent good form to score.

Berquist converted for a 10-3 lead before the Highlanders struck back. Wing Siale Piutau scored after good work by No8 Nasi Manu and flanker Jarrad Hoeata.

A Berquist drop goal after 24 minutes was a good response as there was little on for the Crusaders.

Then things unravelled a little for the home team. Halfback Andy Ellis went off with a dislocated and fractured thumb and lock Brad Thorn went off with a calf muscle tear.

Paterson scored his first try, brushing past George Whitelock and Dagg on the left sideline.

After the break Paterson scored his second try when running on to a perfect cross-field kick from Brown.

Guildford just missed out on scoring in the corner - he missed an earlier try too when diving for a loose ball over the try line in the first half which looked like a good shout but referee Bryce Lawrence didn't ask the TMO to examine it.

Adam Whitelock scored his try for the Crusaders and with 23 minutes to go his side were down only 18-20, but Brown kept his cool to slot two penalties and that was that.

The addition of Sonny Bill Williams and Corey Flynn added steal to the Crusaders but the Highlanders were ferocious in the tackle and at the breakdown and never let up.

Tasman No8 Joe Wheeler (pictured) was another injury casualty with a hip problem.

Crusaders - Tries: Zac Guildford, Adam Whitelock. Con: Matt Berquist. Pen: Berquist. DG: Berquist.

Highlanders - Tries: James Paterson 2, Siale Piutau. Con: Tony Brown. Pens: Brown 3.

HT: Highlanders 15-13

Crusaders
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Quentin MacDonald (Corey Flynn 54min)
3. Owen Franks (Ben Franks 54)
4. Brad Thorn (Luke Romano 28)
5. Chris Jack
6. George Whitelock
7. Matt Todd
8. Joe Wheeler (Jonathan Poff 40)
9. Andy Ellis (c) (Kahn Fotuali'i 24)
10. Matt Berquist
11. Zac Guildford
12. Adam Whitelock
13. Robbie Fruean (Sonny Bill Williams 54)
14. Tom Marshall (Sean Maitland 63)
15. Israel Dagg