THE Nashua Crusaders got their Fidelity Moor Cup season off to a disappointing start losing by 26-3 to SA Home Loans Durban Collegians on Saturday. The opening exchanges were a scrappy affair with poor handling and unforced errors dominating play.
It was Collegians though who opened the scoring just past the 20 minute mark as fullback Dylan Aylward crossed the whitewash after some loose play. The Crusaders response was swift and a penalty from flyhalf Cameron Dunlop brought the Durban North side back in sight of their much fancied opponents.
The score stayed at 5-3 at halftime.
The second half started much like the first with both teams searching for a breakthrough. However, the Saders were soon on the backfoot after two yellow cards.
Despite being reduced to 13 men Collegians struggled to break down the resolute defence of the visitors. Dunlop then missed the chance to put his team in the lead as his second penalty of the game sailed to the right of the uprights. From then onwards though, three unanswered tries sounded the death knells for the boys from the North.
Coach and player of the Crusaders, Ronnie Uys cogently summed up the loss as a tough day at the office.
“No one wants to start their campaign off with a loss but there’s still a long way to go in the season. I thought we defended like Titans for the 20 or so minutes when we were down to 13 men.
“We lost our structure near the final stretch of the game and Collegians made us pay. I’m confident we can turn it around for our next match against Rovers though,” he said.
