THE Nashua Crusaders produced a fighting second half comeback to beat the Pietermaritzburg Collegians Rugby Club 34-21 in their Fidelity Moor Cup clash in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday. What made this victory all the more impressive was that the home side overturned a deficit of four points to dominate the second half, scoring 24 points.

The match was in direct contrast to the boys from the North’s demolition of the Collegians in May. Tries by Merlynn Pieterse, S’phuxolo Zaula, PC Labuschagne and scrumhalf, Aaron Booth, sealed a bonus point win for the ‘Saders. Pieterse also added a drop kick to his team’s tally.

Coach of the Crusaders, Ronnie Uys, hailed his charges’ brilliant performance.

“It really was a game of two halves. We just didn’t switch on in the first half and that allowed them to get ahead. But the second half was a totally different story. We were dominant in all aspects on the pitch and we made our possession and territory count.

“To score 24 points in the second half, considering that we were losing in the first forty, was just brilliant. We stuck to our guns and played some phenomenal team rugby,” he said.