Crusaders earn bruising victory in Toti

IT was the proverbial battle of attrition as the Nashua Crusaders overcame a spirited performance by their south coast rivals, Amanzimtoti, in their Fidelity Moor Cup clash on Friday night.

The boys from the North earned a 25-19 victory over the South Coast Terriers who are making their debut in the premier division.

After a disappointing walkover victory over the Zululand Rhinos the week before, the Saders seemed a tad rusty as they struggled to control possession and territory in the opening stages.

They weathered an initial surge by the home team in the opening minutes. However a yellow card as early as the fifth minute to Saders scrumhalf, Dale Farnham, allowed the Toti to go in front through a penalty.

The visitors reply was swift and for the first time this season in over 320 minutes of play, Cameron Dunlop, brought the teams level through a penalty. However poor handling and silly indiscretions again allowed the home team to go ahead through fullback Jaco de Jager.

A Willem Rheeder try and a Cam Dunlop conversion pushed the Saders out to a four point lead. The see-saw battle then saw Toti take play from one side of the field to the other and take a one point lead after they scored their first try of the game. A penalty right in front of the sticks again allowed the Saders to take the lead, Dulop easily converting.

The score was 11-13 at half time. The second half then saw Toti losing a player to the sin bin for a cynical trip on Saders scrumhalf Dale Farnham.

The visitors took the play deep into the Toti half and a superb break from Sias Koen and a deft pass allowed explosive winger Troy Chiocchetti to crash over the whitewash.

The try was duly converted but their visitors lead was short lived as more pressure from the home team allowed them to reduce the deficit with a second try of the game.

With 20 minutes to go, a second try for Chioccheti (taking his season tally to seven and the leading try scorer for the Saders) threatened to take the game away from the visitors (25-16).

However the home side refused to be dominated and a penalty from Toti fullback Jaco de Jager kept his side within site of the Crusaders. The game ended in favour of the visitors and a rather relieved Saders coach, Ronnie Uys.

“We knew it was going to be tough. Toti aren’t in the top four for nothing. At the end of the day we won the game and the boys must be praised for that. But everytime we gained any momentum, we were let down by silly mistakes.

“I’m confident the boys can improve on this performance in our next home game,” he said.

Crusaders Scoreline

Tries: Willem Rheeder, Troy Chiochetti (2)
Conversions: Cameron Dunlop (2)
Penalties: Cameron Dunlop (2)