Crusaders bow out of Murray Cup

IT was a repeat of last year’s Murray Cup final as the Marshall Security Crusaders took on champions, Jonsson College Rovers. Despite a brave showing from the men from the North, they went down 39-19 in an exciting and windy match that saw nine tries being scored. The first 20 minutes belonged to the Crusaders as they scored two tries in quick succession. The first came courtesy of Luwan Veldhuizen after a blistering run down the sideline by winger, Charlie Mayela. Flyhalf Cameron Dunlop missed the conversion but made up for it a few minutes later crossing under the poles.

At 12-0 up, the visitors had Rovers rattled, but they regrouped and showed their class running in six unanswered tries. For the Saders, a number of unforced errors cost them dearly but they remained in high spirits and scored the final try of the game through Mayela, who was rewarded for his outstanding play on the wing.

Despite the loss, head coach, Lodewyk Riekert, said he was proud of the boys. “The score-line might not suggest it but I think we played extremely well. We showed a lot of determination and grit. It was pleasing to see us make a number of line breaks, but ultimately crucial mistakes cost us in the end. Of course I’m dissapointed but we played some excellent rugby,” he said.

Riekert said the loss would not deter his side and they would be back next season stronger and more motivated. “Each loss is a learning curve and I think there are lots of positives to take out of the match. We begin our pre-season training shortly, but we will be back stronger and more motivated,” he said.