The Highlanders moved back into fourth place after this hard-fought local derby, but will have to wait to see whether that is enough to pip the Reds and Stormers as they stake their claims for a semi final place.

This was a ferocious battle throughout, with both sides setting up aggressive defensive barriers to make their opponents work hard for every point. Much interest was generated by the return to action of Andrew Mehrtens, and after an indifferent start he played himself into some good second half form to signal his fitness to be considered for test action later in the season.

The Highlanders made an extraordinary start, Mehrtens' attempted clearance from the kick off charged down by Maling and scooped up by Maimuri who then charged over for the quickest try in Super 12 history , after 14 seconds ! Brown converted and then kicked a penalty as Hammett was penalized for slapping Meeuws in the face as a scrum broke up in disarray. 10-0 after 3 minutes.

All Black scrum half rivals Marshall and Kelleher got involved in a skirmish as the atmosphere intensified, Kelleher adjudged to be the aggressor, but Blair's subsequent penalty shot hit a post. The Crusaders continued to attack , came up against a committed Highlanders' defence, but did win a penalty. Mehrtens took over the kicking duties and converted beautifully from the right.

As the Crusaders' scrum came under pressure on their 22, they conceded a penalty which Brown had no difficulty in converting. Marshall was then lucky to avoid a sin-binning as he late charged and elbowed Brown in the face, but Brown had the last laugh by kicking his third penalty.

The Crusaders' pack then camped deep in the Highlanders' 22 with some intense, uncompromising play which the home side struggled to contain. Helter-skelter attack dominated the next few minutes but a lack of composure allowed the Highlanders to lift the siege. A magnificent break from Kelleher threatened the second try but a knock on from Blackie frustrated the Highlanders. Further Crusaders' indiscipline at the breakdown gave Brown another chance , but his annoyance was visible as he pulled his kick wide.

Brown then missed another kickable chance, but Mehrtens' kick off was again charged down. Tuilevu scooped the ball up but lost it as he was in the act of scoring. Ferocious tackling from both sides tested the resolve of every ball carrier, Kelleher in particular putting in more than his fair share. Half time came with the Highlanders ahead 16-3, the game a ferocious clash between two very committed sides.

The Highlanders made an equally threatening start to the second half, Tuilevu , Meeuws, then Kelleher posing offering danger to the Crusaders' defence before the combative scrum half knocked on. As the tacklers continued to thunder in, the ball carriers struggled to make ground. But Laney gathered a kick from Mehrtens, advanced up the right, fed Brown who put Alatini into the clear for the second try. Brown converted.

The Crusaders struck back at once, setting up a series of concerted drives on the Highlanders' line before Marshall found a gap to stroll in beneath the posts. Mehrtens then kicked a long penalty to reduce the margin to 10 points. As the Crusaders came back into the game, Laney was penalized for failing to release the ball and was punished by another Mehrtens penalty.

With Mehrtens finding his touch and beginning to dominate proceedings, the Highlanders started to struggle. But a breakout , led by Tuilevu , ended with Wilson just failing to get the touchdown in the right hand corner, Broomhall just doing enough to impeded the flying winger.

Another long , punishing kick from Mehrtens, fumbled by Laney, gave the Crusaders an attacking line out. The ball went left, then came back right, the overlap worked by Blackadder but Somerville bundled into touch by speedier opponents. As the Crusaders sensed their chance there was a fearsome clash of heads between Gibson and Alatini, but fortunately no lasting damage.

The Crusaders made a mess of clearing an up and under from Brown, from the resulting scrum the Highlanders worked a position for Brown to drop a goal. This was a strange decision with tries the priority. As they pressed for the third try, Broomhall stole loose ball at a ruck, Marshall broke away and fed So'oalo who raced away for his side's second try.

With moments left, the Highlanders won a tighthead at a scrum on the Crusaders' 22, Brown went for another dropped goal , which hit a post, and they had a 5 metres scrum. As the siren went , the Crusaders were pinned inside their 22, desperately tried to break free but were held up by a Highlanders' side who deserved their win.

Teams

Highlanders Brendan Laney, Jeff Wilson, Romi Ropati, Pita Alatini, Aisea Tuliveu, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Taine Randell (captain), Josh Blackie, Kelvin Middleton, Simon Maling, Vula Maimuri, Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman. Substitutes: Eroni Clarke, Mark Urwin, Billy Fulton, Finau Maka, John Blaikie, Keith Cameron, Tom Willis.

Crusaders Ben Blair, Afato So'oalo, Mark Robinson, Daryl Gibson, Caleb Ralph, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Sam Broomhall, Scott Robertson, Reuben Thorne, Todd Blackadder (captain), Norm Maxwell, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett, David Hewett. Substitutes : Aaron Mauger, Nathan Mauger, Ben Hurst, Brad Thorn, Chris Jack, Greg Feek, Matt Sexton.

Scorers

Highlanders :26 Tries: Maimuri , Alatini Conversions : Brown (2) Penalties : Brown (3). Dropped goal : Brown.

Crusaders : 21 Tries : Marshall, So'oalo. Conversion : Blair. Penalties : Mehrtens (3).