A LATE flurry of tries helped the Nashua Crusaders crush the PMB Collegians 48-22 to record their fourth consecutive victory in the Fidelity Moor Cup on Saturday. The beleaguered visiting team were put to the sword conceding eight tries, three of which were scored in the last 20 minutes, effectively ended the game as a contest.
Though less fancied, it was the visitors who opened the scoring with a penalty from fullback Brendan Gray. The Saders response was swift and came straight from the kick-off, Wade Worthington collecting and deftly passing to Clint Steenkamp who scored his first try for the home side this season.
Three more tries from Sias Koen and explosive winger Troy Chiocchetti (2) threatened to take the game away from the visitors.
To their credit, Collegians doggedly kept themselves in the game with some good forward work laying the platform for two bullish tries from Sharks forward Wiehahn Herbst.
The score at half time was 24-17.
The half time team talk seemed to galvanise the Crusaders into action, and the players were able to break the Collegians first line of defence on more than one occasion. Ten minutes into the second half, the boys from the North extended their lead after a beautifully weighted cross kick from flyhalf Cameron Dunlop found the steady hands of Willem Rheeder. The inside centre scoring his second try in successive games.
A clean pair of heels by Allan Beukes saw him canter in for the Saders sixth try. Further tries from Troy Chiocchetti who completed his hat-rick and replacement back Liam Draycott were the final nails in the coffin. Not even a final try from the Collegians could dent their home teams victory margin.
Crusaders coach Ronnie Uys said he was left with mixed emotions after the game.
“I’m extremely impressed with the boys, there was some scintillating running rugby played out there today. We did drop off Collegians in terms of intensity and that allowed them back into the game. It goes to show there are no easy games in the Premier League. Having said that we came out firing in the second half and were simply fantastic,” Uys concluded.
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