At Lincoln: Christchurch 32 (Kodi Hepi, Jack Griffiths, Sam Cottam, Hugh Renton tries; Dan Dorgan 3 conv, 2 pen) beat Lincoln University 17 (Jesse Houston, Nick Lake tries; Sam Gilbert 2 conv, pen). HT: 12-10. Referee: Kane McBride.

If the Rams were shorn of leading players the previous week, the Crusaders went further with the clippers before this match. Rameka Poihipi, Jack Stratton, Caleb Makene, Mitch Dunshea and Hamish Dalzell were required to front against the French Barbarians on Friday night. Ere Enari was also sidelined on Saturday.

Not that Lincoln were making too many excuses. They have been depleted earlier this season, notably when a New Zealand Universities side toured Japan. Still, they pulled through. But this one was a step too far for them.

With Christchurch packing oodles of horsepower up front and knowing how to add a bit of niggle, the Rams had too much on their plate to handle.

The first two tries by the visitors were scored by backs, but it was the forwards who did the lead-up work. Then in the second half big Sam Cottam finished a long siege on the Lincoln line before No.8 Hugh Renton secured the bonus point with a pushover try. Dan Dorgan was in good form with the boot, ramming home the advantage.

On the other side of the coin, Christchurch were often able to frustrate Lincoln’s efforts to take the ball up through the forwards and they monstered the home side’s scrum at vital times.

Lincoln’s two tries were gems, scored through the backs. Shortly before half-time Jesse Houston finished a move sparked by a searing run from Sam Gilbert, playing at first-five, and carried on brilliantly by halfback Connor Collins, whose backflip near the line was a beauty.

The second try for the Rams was also a ripper. Collins fired a big pass from a ruck 2min into the second half and Gilbert held his ground in the middle of the field. Fullback Nick Lake, back from a long spell through injury, came surging through on the angle and there was no chance of stopping him.

In the forwards, Ben Morris did a lot of work on the initial carry but Christchurch so often found a way to stifle the charge of the Rams.

Captain Brad Tucker was at the heart of a bruising Christchurch performance while No.6 Jordan Jackett impressed with his skills in the tight-loose. Renton and No.7 Matt Etheredge were also a handful.

Lincoln University’s a rugby nursery for the wider region so good luck to the players who are poised to go a step or two further.

In the only other match for the club on Saturday our Lincoln University Premier Women played Suburbs/Sydenham in a match that was marred by numerous yellow cards for foul play. The side was missing some key players with Alana and Chelsea Bremner and Grace Steinmetz away on a training camp with the New Zealand Black Ferns but they struck to their tasks throughout the match and were unlucky not to come away with the win in trying circumstances 25-29.