In a match where the lead changed sides more often than some presidents change their mind on foreign policy, the Crusaders eventually ran out 20-14 victors over the DHL Stormers at Newlands.

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The Stormers kicked off the match to the roar of a sold-out stadium. The Crusaders received a blow to their starting line-up as the injured Richie McCaw was replaced by Matt Todd.

Both teams showed their intent early as back lines ran at their opposition, the Stormers seeming to break from tradition as they an the ball at every opportunity. The Crusaders too were oozing confidence as they ran the ball from inside their 22 on a couple of ocassions.

It only took 4 minutes for the Stormers to cross the line through Dewald Duwenage who intercepted an errant quick throw-in. However the try was disallowed as the Crusaders player had a foot in the field of play as he was throwing. Israel Dagg was replaced early by Adam Whitelock as he injured himself in the first move.

The play then continued to sweep the length and breadth between the whitewash as the two titans of this year’s competition continued to plumb each other’s defensive depths.

Some quick passing and deft passing through the backline saw the Crusaders’ Wyatt Crockett score in the 8th minute to give the visitors a 5 point lead. Matt Berquist added the extra 2.

The Home team began to look somewhat static on the attack until a chip over the top from Duwenage got them both into their rhythm and their opponent’s 22. Sniping runs from the forwards pressed the line until a penalty was awarded to the Stormers for a defender going offside. Lionel Cronje was given the chance to reduce the deficit and he made no mistake. The score in the 14th minute, 7-3 to the Crusaders.

A stunning bit of interplay in the backline bamboozled the Crusaders defense as Jaques Fourie powered his way untouched over the line to put the Stormers ahead. After Lionel Cronje’s missed conversion attempt, the score in the 18th minute read 8-7 to the home side.

The Stormers too were guilty of offside play and Berquist had a chance to restore their position in front in the 22nd minute, which he duly converted. 10-8 to the Crusaders.

Aggressive defense and attack characterized the early part of the match, the crowd appreciative of the entertaining brand of rugby on display.

A quick tap and go penalty by the Stormers in midfield (resulting from the Crusaders running interference) led to a number of sniping runs by the home side, breaking the line, but not able to get through the final line of defense.

They were eventually awarded a penalty in the 32nd minute when the Canterbury side were again pinged for going offside on their tryline. Cronje made no mistake with this one, and the lead again swung the way of the Stormers. 11-10.

That is the way the half finished as both teams trudged wearily into the changeroom.

The Crusaders started the 2nd half with a bang, with a number of pick-and-go opportunities well dealt with by the Stormers. It was a play from offside which garnered Matt Berquist with another opportunity to swing the lead. He converted his chance, taking the score to 13-11 to the men from Canterbury.

In several moments of brilliance sparked off by a Jaques Fourie line break, the Stormers looked ominous in their assault of the try line. But another offside call by referee Chris Pollock gave the Stormers 3 points courtesy of Lionel Cronje. 14-13 the score after 6 minutes.

Twice early in the 2nd half, the Crusaders had an open run to the line, and twice they lost the ball in a soft tackle situation within the Stormers’ 5-meter area.

The Stormers’ scrum came under difficulty on the night with the Crusaders pretty much dominating that set-piece. Another collapse on the half-way line gave Matt Berquist the chance to add 3, but his kick shaved the upright to leave the score unchanged at 14-13 in favour of the Stormers.

The Crusaders finally broke the deadlock as Wyatt Crockett crossed the chalk for the second time in the 63rd minute after Schalk Burger left a gaping hole in defense as he rushed up into the Canterbury line. Berquist added the 2 points to take the score to 20-14 in favour of the visitors.

Three line-outs on the Crusaders 5-meter line led to three mauls by the Stormers, the Crusaders being dangerously close to conceding a penalty try by ‘inadvertently’ collapsing the mauls short of the line, but solid defense on the third maul led to a turnover and gave the visitors time to breathe.

A brilliant break from Nick Koster from the midfield showing pace and awareness almost led to a try for the Stormers, until the ball came to Brok Harris who lost the ball as soon as it came into his hands. The clock wound down with the Stormers still attacking the line from everywhere, almost conceding a try in the process.

A yellow card to one of the Crusaders in the final minute made no difference as the Crusaders held on to record a famous 20-14 victory at Newlands over the DHL Stormers.

The match attendance was 48 492

DHL Stormers:

Tries: Fourie (18 min)
Penalties: Cronje (14, 32 & 46 min)

Crusaders:

Tries: Crockett (8 & 63 min)
Conversions: Berquist (2)
Penalties: Berquist (22 & 43 min)

Referee:

Chris Pollock