Crusaders surivive Bracknell fightback
South West Premier
TABLE-TOPPERS Dings Crusaders survived a second-half fightback from Bracknell to win 23-19.
Two tries from Ashley Challenger, a Harry Tovey touchdown and eight points from the boot of Ben Bolster saw them home.
But Bracknell, who were 18-0 behind at half-time, went down fighting. Cameron MacDonald and Simon Bayliss crossed before being awarded a penalty try.
Bournemouth had a battle on their hands until Exmouth’s captain Jack Fahy was sent off in their 28-7 win.
Alan Manning scored the opening try for the hosts before Grant Hancox reached 700 points in his career with a conversion and a penalty.
Fahy went over and Harry Ottaway added the extras to cut the deficit to 10-7 at the break but a dangerous tackle from Fahy proved crucial.
After the lock saw red, Hancox landed two penalties and converted Tom Napier’s try before Pat Fraser touched down.
With Newton Abbot’s match against Lydney postponed due to a waterlogged pitch fourth-placed Maidenhead closed the gap.
Dave Cole scored a hattrick as Maidenhead secured a 38-21 victory over bottom club Hornets.
Lewis Jones, George Blewitt and Sam Churchyard also went over for the hosts.
Tries from Alex Miller and James MacAulay were not enough to stop Newbury Blues falling to a 21-10 home defeat to Camborne.
Weston-super-Mare beat Cleve 37-27 in a thriller at The Recreation Ground. The visitors trailed by just three points at half-time, but Brad Kislingbury’s second-half brace was cancelled out as Weston powered to victory.
After Robbie Mackay and Andrew Glenn crossed in the first half, Hayden Tuttiett, Matt Watkins and Ramaz Ruzhadze scored for Weston.
There was also a pulsating clash at Brixham where visitors Ivybridge came from behind to snatch a 2727 draw.
Russell Morris and Koree Britton struck to give the home side a 15-3 lead at the interval before Tom Putt and Sam Thomas scored.
But second-half scores from Charlie Briant, Hayden Coles and Billy Pinkus saw Ivybridge claim a share of the spoils.