‘It’s not over’ says Crusaders coach

THE Nashua Crusaders narrowly lost their top of the table clash against the SA Home Loans Durban Collegians on Friday evening.
The home team, who were looking to avenge their opening round loss to the visitors, lost 19-13. The Saders could take heart in the fighting manner they went down and from the team talk after the game, the message was clear, the season is not over.

The game was played under the watchful eye of experienced ref Marius Jonker who was quick to penalise any attempt to slow down attacking ball. Indeed the first penalty, which went to the Collegians, was for the home side failing to roll away.

However Collegians flyhalf Calvin Sacks pushed his first effort wide and to the left of the uprights. The visiting team did not rue their missed opportunity as four minutes later Carl Marks crashed over the whitewash, the conversion was duly converted to leave the scores 7-0.

The Crusaders were struggling for go forward ball and every attempt to get into the opposition half was thwarted by quick turnovers. This resulted in the second penalty for Collegians as Jonker penalised the home team for holding on to the ball. Sacks stepped up and again missed also pushing his effort wide.

That seemed to spur on the home side who put together a wonderful rolling maul from inside their half and ended just beyond the halfway line. This time the Collegians were rapped on the knuckles for collapsing the maul. The ever reliable boot of Cameron

Dunlop was called upon and he converted to open the Saders account on the cold and wet evening.

The home side were on the receiving end of another penalty just minutes later but this time, Sacks made no mistake giving the visitors a seven point lead.

The deficit was cut again through the boot of Dunlop after patient build-up play. They followed that up with a crucial try from hooker Pina Monwabisi who crashed over just before the halftime whistle. Dunlop had no problem converting giving his side a three point cushion (13-10).

The momentum seemed to be with the Saders but a flat second half performance and poor handling saw the visitors given four penalties. Three of them were successful for Sacks who seemed to find his radar as the game went on.

Jason Greeff, backline coach for the Crusaders said the team showed great character and heart despite the crushing loss.

“The boys are hurting but they know the season is not over. If you look at the first game were we lost 26-3 to this fixture, the performances were worlds apart. We showed a lot of character and heart and the league is still open. I’m confident we will bounce back,” Greeff said.

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