Price is right for Dings in dramatic draw

By JOHN WHITE

Dings Crusaders… 21

Barnes…………………. 21

AN 80th-minute try from scrum-half Tom Knight, converted by centre Tom Price, earned Dings a share of the spoils against Barnes at Shaftesbury Park.

Dings made all the early running, but had to settle for a seventh-minute penalty from Price before the visitors responded in some style.

Stand-off Jonathan Burden chipped over the top of the Dings defence, regathered and darted over for a try that he also converted.

The Londoners extended their advantage when centre Peter Weightman thundered through the middle from a set-play move. Burden again added the extras for the visitors.

Price chipped over another penalty, but the visitors went into the shed at half-time holding a 21-6 lead after Weightman muscled over for his second converted try of the match.

Dings had the better of the second half, but stubborn Barnes defence kept them out until Price added his third penalty.

The unrelenting Dings pressure told when prop Dave McHugh crashed over on his debut for the club in the 56th minute to make it 21-14.

Barnes did have opportunities to add to their lead, but opted against shots at goal in favour of kicks for the corner, which ultimately proved fruitless.

Replacement scumhalf Knight wriggled over at the death to bring his side within two points. Price cooly added the conversion to earn the draw for Dings – the third share-all for Barnes this season.