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A big crowd turned out for the pre-season match. Photo: Craig Baxter
A big crowd turned out for the pre-season match. Photo: Craig Baxter
Young fans ready to support the Highlanders. Photo: Matthew Holdridge
Young fans ready to support the Highlanders. Photo: Matthew Holdridge
Thousands were expected to attend the match. Photo: Bruce Quirey
Thousands were expected to attend the match. Photo: Bruce Quirey
The Highlanders warm up at Fred Booth Park. Photo: Matthew Holdridge
The Highlanders warm up at Fred Booth Park. Photo: Matthew Holdridge
Photo: Matthew Holdridge
Young fans at Fred Booth Park. Photo: Matthew Holdridge
The game at Waimumu coicides with Field Days. Photo: Bruce Quirey
The game at Waimumu coincides with Southern Field Days. Photo: Bruce Quirey

A hat-trick of tries from Matt Faddes helped the Highlanders thump the Crusaders 42-26 in a pre-season match in Southland tonight.

Faddes was the star for the home side in a match that kept the crowd entertained at Fred Booth Park in Waimumu, near Gore.

Matt Faddes scores the second of three tries for the Highlanders. Photo: Craig Baxter
Matt Faddes scores the second of three tries for the Highlanders. Photo: Craig Baxter

The teams played a fast-paced brand of rugby on a farm paddock turned rugby ground and the match was a point-scoring frenzy in the first half with both teams piling on five tries.

Fans got a scare when first five Lima Sopoaga hobbled off the field after 25 minutes gone. But the All Black returned before the halftime whistle. 

The game turned in to more of arm wrestle in the second half, with more forward-dominated and structured play.

The Highlanders were able to successfully hold their first-half lead and sealed the win with a late try to Tei Walden. 

The game at Waimumu coincided with Southern Field Days, drawing a big crowd.

Players compete for the ball at Fred Booth Park. Photo: Craig Baxter
Players compete for the ball at Fred Booth Park. Photo: Craig Baxter

HIGHLANDERS 42

Tries: Faddes 3, Hemopo, Waldron

Conv: Sopoaga 3, Smith 2

Penalty try.

CRUSADERS 26

Tries: Hall, Crockett, Ennor.

Penalty try

Conv: Moaga, 

Halftime: Highlanders 28, Crusaders 19.

 

Comments

Thump?!
16 point win. 5 tries to 4.
Settle down.