The home side led 14-10 at the break and sucked up plenty of pressure to win the game with two late Lima Sopoaga penalties icing the victory.
The Highlanders scored a crucial try early in the second half through Elliot Dixon and held on as the Crusaders kept pressing but could only score one try through halfback Bryn Halll.
Best for the Highlanders were hooker Liam Coltman, lock Tom Franklin and Sopoaga.
The Highlanders looked the more dangerous side in the first half but did not have a lot of ball.
The side also lacked a bit of patience when it mattered and pushed the pass too often.
The Crusaders were first to score when winger George Bridge sped through a gap - which was created by a classic case of shepherding - and could not be stopped.
But the early 7-0 lead for the Crusaders did not last long as the Highlanders struck back though hooker Coltman. The Highlanders forward pack went right through the middle and Coltman barged over to score.
On the quarter hour mark, the Highlanders scored another try with some good work by the forwards laying on a platform which Sopoaga finished with a nice step.
The game then ebbed and flowed until the break. The Crusaders thought they had scored in the dying minutes of the half but an earlier Tim Bateman knock-on led to a Jordan Taufua try being ruled out.
Highlanders 25 (Liam Coltman, Lima Sopoaga, Elliot Dixon tries; Sopoaga 2 con, 2 pen) Crusaders 17 (George Bridge, Bryn Hall tries; Mitch Hunt 2 con, pen) Halftime: 14-10 Highlanders