Gutsy Dings keep title bid on track

By CONOR O'HARA

Hornets…………………26

Dings Crusaders… 31

An absorbing encounter at the Nest went the way of the visitors as Dings Crusaders clung on at the death to maintain their title challenge.

Tom Knight drew first blood for the side from Bristol, sniping over for the game's opening try, and he soon added a second to give Dings a healthy early lead.

But the Hornets, in their first campaign at National League level, showed outstanding resolve and went into the break on level terms.

Showing their ambition to play, Oscar James and Charlie Carter both crossed the whitewash as the Hornets backs showed off their well-rehearsed plays, Carter converting both for parity.

The game's decisive moments came in the wide channels, Crusaders' Matt Smith scampering over in the corner to inch his side back in front.

Sam Slade and Luke Arscott both went over in similar style within ten minutes of one another and that, ultimately, put the tie out of reach for Jon Richardson's side, but they still had the incentive of a try bonus point.

They achieved that and an additional point for coming within seven of their opponents thanks to tries from Bailey Jackson and Mua Inoke.