CRUSADERS EDGE EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE IN FRONT OF SELL OUT CROWD

The Emirates Western Force have been beaten 24-19 by the Crusaders in front of a capacity crowd at Members Equity Stadium in their opening trial match before the 2009 Investec Super 14 season in Perth tonight.

The ‘full house’ signs were posted more than half an hour before the kick off of the three thirty-minute period trial.

The Crusaders made the perfect start when flanker George Whitelock crashed over in just the second minute.

The home side countered by maintaining possession for the best part of five minutes before being awarded a penalty try as Drew Mitchell was tackled in the air attempting to catch a cross field bomb in the Crusaders in-goal area. Scott Daruda’s conversion gave them a 7-5 lead after ten minutes.

More dominance from the home side followed, and centre Josh Tatupu strolled over after a terrific pass from Daruda on 17 minutes.

The score remained 12-5 at the first of two scheduled breaks.

It didn’t take long for more points to arrive, as hooker Luke Holmes barged his way over after 34 minutes. Daruda’s conversion made it 19-5.

The Crusaders hit back in the remainder of the middle period, scoring two tries through Whitelock and wing Jared Payne to close the gap to 19-17 with half an hour to play.

Crusaders winger Kade Poki scored the only try of the final stanza just three minutes in, and Hamish Gard’s sideline conversion completed the scoring at 24-19.

The Emirates Western Force will play their next trial game against the Reds in Brisbane on Friday 5 February.

2nd Min – Try to the Crusaders scored by George Whitelock. Not converted. Crusaders lead 5-0.

10th Min – Penalty try to Emirates Western Force. Converted by Scott Daruda. Emirates Western Force lead 7-5.

17th Min – Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Josh Tatupu. Not converted. Emirates Western Force lead 12-5.

FIRST BREAK: Emirates Western Force 12 Crusaders 5

34th Min: Try to the Emirates Western Force scored by Luke Holmes. Converted by Daruda. Emirates Western Force lead 19-5.

43rd Min: Try to the Crusaders scored by G Whitelock. Converted by Colin Slade. Emirates Western Force lead 19-12.

58th Min: Try to the Crusaders scored by Jared Payne. Not converted. Emirates Western Force lead 19-17.

SECOND BREAK: Emirates Western Force 19 Crusaders 17

63rd Min: Try to the Crusaders scored by Kade Poki. Converted by Hamish Gard. Crusaders lead 24-19.

FULL TIME: Emirates Western Force 19 Crusaders 24

Crusaders 24 (G Whitelock 2, J Payne, K Poki tries; Slade, Gard cons) defeated Emirates Western Force 19 (Tatupu, Holmes tries; penalty try; Daruda 2 cons).

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