CRUSADERS showed the sort of grit and determination they hope will lead them to back-to-back Division 1 titles this season, as they beat a stubborn JHC Leopards on Saturday at Les Quennevais.
The defending champions had to come from behind deep in the second half to claim the three points, scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to secure a 3-2 win.
It’s a result which sets Crusaders up perfectly, as they bid to win the Channel Islands Upton title for the first time in the club’s history this Saturday, in Guernsey.
The pitch at Les Quennevais has be redressed with sand in the last couple of weeks; that, coupled with the warm, dry conditions on Saturday, meant the surface was lacking its usual zip and vigour.
Despite the challenging conditions, the boys in blue enjoyed a period of early control before Mike James rounded keeper Tyler McGlinchey to put Crusaders one up.
The defending champions were unable to capitalise on a string of penalty corners and were punished right on the stroke of halftime when Ben Heelis levelled the scores with an excellent reverse stick strike.
That goal seemed to spur Leopards on, as they began the second-half with a renewed sense of purpose and Tiaan Kruger, top scorer in the division last year, put the challengers ahead with a slapped finish after a rebounded penalty corner.
Despite the set-back, Crusaders didn’t panic. They regained control of possession and began to turn the screw.
With then minutes to play they were presented with a golden opportunity, as Sam James won a penalty stroke for his team and Peter Millar made no mistake from the spot.
With time running out, the blues finally got a corner routine to work, as Millar flicked the ball low and hard for his brother, Tom, to apply a neat deflection which secured victory.
While Crusaders now turn their attention to an Upton match against Guernsey’s Colombians, Leopards will play OVs Convicts on Saturday.
Convicts began their season with a comfortable 6-0 win against Hautlieu last weekend, with goals from Tom Louwe (2), Ed Hodgson, Phil Cuming, Chris Thomas and Robbie Forrest.
