Suer Rugby: Crusaders too strong for Melbourne Rebels
The Crusaders continued their Super Rugby recovery with a 25-19 victory over Melbourne Rebels at AAMI Park.
Last Updated: 14/03/14 12:17pm
Last season's semi-finalist lost their first two matches of the current campaign but have now hit back with two wins in a row.
Ben Funnell grabbed the visitors' only try of the game, with a conversion and six penalties from centre Tom Taylor ultimately proving the difference between the two sides.
The Rebels struggled to keep up with their opponents during the second half and Scott Fuglistaller's try in the closing stages proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
The victory was especially welcome for the Crusaders given the fact they entered the game having lost eight of their last eleven away trips in the competition.
The contest did not develop into much of a spectacle as the boots of Jason Woodward and Taylor boot dominated the first-half, with the interval scoreline being 12-9 in favour of the Crusaders after few opportunities.
But after the break the away side moved up a gear and when the ball was shifted out to the right wing, captain Kieran Read drew the last man before finding hooker Funnell for the easy run-in. Taylor's conversion made it 22-12.
Taylor later added his seventh successful kick from the tee to settle the match. The Rebels did show some fight as Fuglistaller went over late on, but it was too late to spark a comeback.