[24 NOV 03] CRUSADER NEWS

Five From Five For Crusaders

COVENTRY CRUSADERS 38 - RUSHMOOR MALLARDS 27

It was the second home tie of the season this weekend as Coventry Crusaders Wheelchair team faced the Mallards, in hope of making it 5 wins from 5 games.

With the same line up on Saturday that produced the 47 - 19 mauling of Bristol Pirates in their last outing, and still without the services of influential Player Coach Paul Claridge who is missing through injury and without, up and coming star Adam Crinage who is in the States, Crusaders were desperate to have a good start in the game and to score freely from the tip.

However, this was not to be the case, and despite fielding 5 strong players against a new and inexperienced team in the Mallards, Crusaders started the game very nervously, finding it difficult to convert chances.

With first division experience, Mallard's Bull, set off at blistering pace taking the Crusaders apart scoring 13 of Mallard's 19 first half points and putting the Coventry team into early foul trouble. Meanwhile, Crusaders could only manage 11 points between them before the interval.

The second half proved to be another story. Bri Tienrey set out to man mark Bull despite being on 4 personal fouls from the first half. While Crusader's forwards Justin Gibson, Carl Leeth and new talent Neill Gardner were all in on the action.

Tierney out witted and out-marked Bull with such an effect that the Mallard's key player was soon back on the bench as a string of charges saw him fouled out of the game.

Crusaders defence restricted their visitors to just 4 points in the third quarter, while putting in an offensive performance that saw Mallard's lead cut to 2 points 21 - 23 going in to the final period.

The Mallards had no reply as Gibson and Leeth, closely supported by their guards, continued to assert their pressure in the final quarter, and with a cash of 15 points between them spearheaded, Crusaders to celebrate maintaining their 100% record as the game closed out with the home side, 38-27 up.

Despite a slow start Crusaders had pushed hard and deserved their win.

Most Valuable player was Captain Bri Tierney who played despite illness and successfully closed down the Mallards star with disciplined defence.

With the return of Crinage and Claridge in the next few weeks the team will be re-enforced but have weathered the storm well with 2 convincing victories against the odds.