Victorious Lydney relegate Launceston
DING Crusaders took a giant step towards claiming second place and a spot in the promotion play-offs as they beat Hornets 44-22 and rivals Camborne and
Ivybridge both lost. Ding were always in control, leading 29-10 at half-time, and went on to complete a comfortable bonus-point victory and now only need a single win to secure second.
Camborne meanwhile suffered an afternoon to forget at Brixham, going down 38-14, tries from Dave McGregor, Dom Connor and Sam Thomas putting the hosts 24-0 up at the interval.
Elliot Bryers secured the bonus point, with Mark Kotekski adding a fifth try, Camborne only getting on the board with a late penalty try, but are now seven points behind Ding in third with two games remaining.
Ivybridge had started the day a point further back from Camborne but also left empty handed on their travels, falling to a 3219 defeat at Cleve, for whom the win ensured their safety.
The relegation picture was confirmed as Lydney secured their safety and relegated Launceston by beating them 27-24.
Tries from Kurt Brown and Jack Ward gave Lydney the advantage but Launceston hit back, Rikki Bentham and Harry Dawe putting the visitors 17-12 ahead at half-time.
A penalty try extended the lead further but John Barker crossed twice for Lydney, the second proving the decisive score, whilst Launceston had Andy Knight sent off late on.
Lydney’s win also relegated Salisbury, who were beaten at home 24-20 by an
Old Redcliffians side that had secured the league title last weekend.
The rest of the day’s action saw Newton Abbot stage a second-half fightback to edge out
Bournemouth 26-25, despite hosts’ Bournemouth having led 25-7 at half-time.
However, Newton Abbot crossed twice in two minutes after the half-time interval, and then claimed the winning try in the final moments.
The remaining game saw Bracknell comfortably see off bottom of the table Bromsgrove 29-15.
Two tries in each half secured Bracknell’s bonus point, before Bromsgrove claimed two late tries in reply.