Crusaders outscore Western Force at Perth after surprise lose last weekend - Rugby
Crusaders survived the Western Force's mid-match run to get back to their winning ways after sustaining a surprise defeat ar the hands of Highlanders in last weekend’s
encounter. The Force hosted the Crusaders at Perth for the fourth time in Super Rugby history on Saturday, April 30. Crusaders have bettered their record against the Western Force as they now have defeated Force twice besides drawing and losing a game at Perth
in their four outings.
With today’s victory, Crusaders have levelled points with the Reds at 40 on the super xv combined table and for now are on fourth place. Western Force on the other
hand suffered their sixth defeat in the Super Rugby 2011 champions, winning three of their previous games.
Crusaders started the match impressively and were in control of the match however later their discipline nearly cost them the game. However, impressive last 10 minutes
of the game from the Crusaders ensured them a victory alongside a bonus point in the match.
Crusaders enjoyed the ball possession right from the start of the game with their wingers Zac Guildford and Sean Maitland splitting the Force's defence. Crusaders fullback
Israel Dagg collects the ball and ran to score first try during the second minute of the game Crusaders fly half Matt Berquist failed on the conversion.
Crusaders’ Dagg break through a tackle and races away to score his second try during the eighth minute of the game. Berquist followed by scoring his first conversion
of the game. Force counter attacked that earned them a penalty and their centre James O’Connor scored during the 12th minute of the game. Berquist’s 17th minute penalty again extends the lead to 17 points.
Force enjoyed a good passage of play as scored 13 points in span of just 9 points. O’Connor scored two penalties during 20th and 24th minute followed
by 29th minute try by their fullback Cameron Shepherd. Force fly half Willie Ripia scored his first conversion to reduce the lead by just single point.
Crusaders centre Sonny Bill Williams (SBW) scored the try followed by Berquist conversion. O’Connor’s 36th minute penalty took the score to 19 – 22 favouring
Crusaders.
Crusaders were able to extend their lead courtesy of the Berquist’s 46th minute penalty, his second in the match. Minute later, Richie McCaw was shown yellow
card for playing the ball on the ground.
Force saw an opportunity to come back into the game and they capitalised on it as they scored 11 points during the next ten minutes. Ripia’s 48th minute penalty
goal, Shepherd’s 52nd minute try and O’Connor’s 58th minute penalty all came when Crusaders were a man down. Berquist’s penalty in the 60th minute reduces the lead to just two points for Crusaders.
Crusaders came back strongly during the last 10 minutes of the game with a 71st-minute try by Corey Flynn and a final try of the match through Kahn Fotuali'i in the
75th minute. For both tries, Berquist’s scored the following conversions as he finished the match with 17 points in the game.
Force ensured that the Crusaders had to work hard for the points as they remained in contention of winning the game for the most part.
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