Crusaders fightback to leapfrog Abbott

South West Premier

DING Crusaders replaced Newton Abbott at the top of the table as they beat

Newbury 42-10 while the Devon side suffered their second defeat of the season at Brixham, 33-20.

Newton Abbott scored the opening try of the game, only for Brixham to respond with two penalties before a try of their own from Jamie Hex saw the home side go into the break with a slender 13-10 lead.

Tom Goodman’s try extended the hosts’ lead and whilst Abbott rallied with a try, Brixham responded with their third to restore a 15-point advantage, which would prove enough despite the visitors’ late try.

A four-try second half blitz powered Crusaders to the top, as they powered clear of Newbury in a composed win.

Newbury had opened a 10-0 lead but Dings responded and a try and two penalties had them ahead by the interval.

The second half would prove one way traffic, Ding crossing 10 minutes into the second half to pull clear, before three final quarter tries saw them climb to the top in style.

The sides in third and fourth, Bournemouth and

Cleve, both lost ground on the top two as they were beaten on the road, the latter going down 34-21 away to Exmouth.

Tries from Lewis Cooper, Richard Bright and Tom Steer saw Exmouth open up a 21-0 lead, and although Cleve fought back with two second half tries, Davy McGregor sealed the hosts bonus point.

Bournemouth meanwhile were well beaten 52-30 at Maidenhead, despite having taken an early lead, but Maidenhead scored four tries in each half in a thrilling high scoring victory.

It was a better day for the bottom two however, as

Lydney and Hornets both won for only the second time this season, Lydney beating Camborne 31-10.

In a tight first half, Lydney went over just once but then went on to bag three more tries to seal a bonus point.

Hornets also took maximum points as they were comfortable winners at home to Bracknell prevailing 42-17.

That means Ivybridge will be nervously looking over their shoulder as they were comfortably beaten 32-22 by an impressive Weston-Super-Mare.