Wednesday Aug-21 saw the Crusaders-Swords take on Mississauga-Blues in the “central” divisional final.

Two weeks ago, the Blues had narrowly defeated the Arrows team in the Semi’s, so the Swords were out to win pride back for the Crusaders – and they did so in style.  The Blues battled hard, and threw strike runners at the Crusaders’ line, but solid defensive tackling prevented any line breaks.

Whenever Cru were able to secure the ball, they looked dangerous. Attacking options through the pick-and go forwards, as well as via 10, 12 and 13, meant the Swords could choose their channels, and great support turned small-breaks into big territorial-gains.  Sublime finishing saw Crusaders take a commanding 27-0 lead at the half. With best of the tries a brilliantly timed cut-back run from full-back Stefan van Niekerk, as well as a superb solo-effort from inside his own-22, by Fly-half Daniel Sanders, who brilliantly side-stepped past several would-be tacklers to score.

In the second-half, the “impact-players” came-on, and fully lived up to their billing. Brilliant tackling from Dylan Garner and the superb pick-and go attacking from Ibrahim El-Amir and Rory Ireland, was key in breaking-through the valiant Blues defenders – who never gave-up the fight, in-spite of the mounting score-line. Final score 60-0 to Crusaders.

Great Job Boys – U17 Central Divisional Champions 2019