The boot of Ben upsets Dings’ title tilt

BEN LOVELL’S kicking led Brixham to a surprise win over title-chasing

Dings Crusaders as the fly-half scored 19 points in his side’s 29-12 victory.

Lovell got things going after 12 minutes with a penalty before Elliot Bryers scored the first try of the afternoon moments later, with Jordan Watson’s converted try making it 170 to the hosts with just 20 minutes on the board. Dings hit back with a try just before the half-hour mark, but a pair of penalties from Lovell gave Brixham a healthy 23-5 advantage heading into half-time.

Declan Sexton and Martin Worthington were sin-binned within a matter of minutes, allowing Dings to cut the lead to 11 points, but again Lovell stepped up and booted home two more three-pointers before the hour mark to seal the win.

Salisbury fought back from 12 points down to compound Bromsgrove’s misery with a 42-22 thumping of their basement rivals, leaving the Worcestershire side 24 points from safety.

The visitors led 15-3 after 20 minutes and despite conceding two tries whilst down to 14 men, also had a slender 22-17 advantage at the break.

The second half belonged to Salisbury, though, as they ran in three tries to condemn Bromsgrove to their 18th defeat.

Bracknell inched further away from the relegation zone with a convincing 29-13 win over Hornets.

The hosts dominated the opening exchanges but after going ahead 6-0, sloppy defence meant they trailed 10-6 at the break.

The second period, however, went down a different route as three tries and two penalties gave the Berkshire side the points.

Meanwhile, Ivybridge’s challenge for the top took a massive blow as they lost 31-23 at Bournemouth.

The visitors led 17-3 after half an hour and although Ivybridge rallied to make it 17-16, a pair of tries after the break were enough to give Bournemouth the points. Elsewhere, Old Redclif

fians extended their lead at the top of the table to 14 points with a 21-17 win over Launceston. Lydney beat Cleve 41-27 in their clash, while Camborne climbed to second in the table with a 35-16 win at Newton Abbot.