Mehrtens sees Crusaders home

A late penalty goal from Andrew Mehrtens snatched a 30-28 win over the Highlanders in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Mehrtens’ penalty goal, three minutes from the final whistle, ended a courageous fight back from the Highlanders after they had appeared out of the game at half-time.

Earlier in the game the Crusaders looked to be travelling comfortably with winger Joe Maddock scoring the game’s opening try after 11 minutes of play.

With the Crusaders running the game, the Highlanders were restricted to making breaks when they could and Paul Steinmetz was providing most of the options with three clean line breaks.

Although the Highlanders did take the lead briefly when a Steinmetz break led to prop Joe McDonnell charging at the line and Willie Walker darting over from close to a ruck.

However, Mehrtens regained the advantage with a penalty goal before he crashed over near the posts, after a powerful break by Scott Robertson, for the second try of the half.

Two further penalty goals had the home side comfortably ahead 24-10 at the break.

After the break the Highlanders came out firing and scored first with a goal from Brown then a smartly taken try from Jeff Wilson chasing a kick from Walker.

Another Brown penalty closed the gap to 24-23 and with the Crusaders yet to score in the second half, the tide was with the visitors and they took advantage of the momentum with their third try.

A powerful run by number 8 Paul Miller saw him straighten the play and charge into the 22 where his deft pass found Ryan Nicholas to finish and regain the lead.

The loss of Tony Brown to a strong tackle unsettled the Highlanders and the Crusaders were closing with another Mehrtens penalty goal.

With the clock running down fast the Highlanders could have forced the Crusaders to score a try to win if Walker’s penalty goal attempt was successful, but his attempt was wide.

The miss proved costly as the Crusaders mounted another attack and won a penalty in front of the posts that Mehrtens duly converted for the win.

Crusaders 30
Joe Maddock, Andrew Mehrtens try; Mehrtens conversion, 6 penalties

Highlanders 28
Willie Walker, Jeff Wilson, Ryan Nicholas tries; Tony Brown 2 conversions, 3 penalties