Crusaders 31 Lions 6
The unbeaten Canterbury Crusaders put in an impressive second half display, including a magnificent try by halfback Andrew Ellis, to register a 31-6 victory over the Lions in Christchurch.
After playing poorly and trailing 3-6 at halftime, the below-strength Crusaders scored four tries after the break to overwhelm the Johannesburg-based Lions and record their eighth straight victory in this season's tournament.
The bottom-placed Lions could have been forgiven for thinking they were heading for the upset of the season after outplaying the championship-leading Crusaders during the first 40 minutes.
They dominated possession and territory and took the game to their more illustrious opponents.
Their big pack, led by number eight Joe van Niekerk and hooker Ethienne Reynecke, made plenty of ground up the middle as the Canterbury forwards appeared reluctant to commit men to the breakdown.
Only a well-organised Canterbury defensive line and some loose Lions passing prevented the visitors from crossing for a try during the opening 40 minutes and putting even more pressure on the home side.
The Lions had to rely on two penalties from flyhalf Chris Jonck for their points, while all the Crusaders had to show was a penalty from Hamish Gard.
The turning point came one minute from halftime when referee Matt Goddard showed Lions left winger Ryno Benjamin a yellow card for deliberately obstructing play.
While he was off the field, the Crusaders scored 11 points to take complete control of the match, with Goddard kicking two more penalties and Benjamin's opposite number Sean Maitland taking full advantage of the extra man to cross in the corner.
"It's always hard defending with one man down and the boys saw their opportunity and capitalised," Canterbury's Greg Somerville, who took over the captaincy when Reuben Thorne left the field with a suspected broken finger, said.
Once they got in front, Canterbury never looked like losing and when hooker Ti'i Paulo crashed over after 54 minutes the danger signs were there for the young Lions outfit.
Winger Caleb Ralph then finished off a smooth backline move to cross out wide and make the score 24-6 before Ellis's spectacular effort.
The Crusaders got possession behind their own 22 and then took it the length of the field - the ball passed through 11 sets of hands before Maitland was pulled down centimetres from the line.
Ellis picked the ball up from the base of the ensuing ruck and dived clear over the top, touching down one-handed then performing a somersault before hitting the ground as he secured a bonus point for his team.
CRUSADERS 31 (Sean Maitland, Ti'i Paulo, Caleb Ralph, Andrew Ellis tries; Hamish Gard 3 pen, con) bt LIONS 6 (Chris Jonck 2 pen) at AMI Stadium, Christchurch. Referee: Matt Goddard (AUS).
Reuters
