Dings Crusaders 27: Tries: Jordan Gratton (1), Jake Holcombe (16), Tom Anderson (72), Sam Graham (80); Conversions: Steve Plummer (17), Connor Swan (73); Penalties: Connor Swan (49);
Leicester Lions 29: Tries: Ed Sumpter (8), Nick Cairns (27), Devon Constant (57, 68); Conversions: Ben Young (9, 29, 69); Penalties: Ben Young (46);

This was the first ever league visit of Leicester Lions to Dings Crusaders, at Shaftesbury Park, Frenchay, Bristol, after Lions’ move to National League 2 South.
Dings were soon into the game with them setting up their centre Jordan Gratton to go over for a try in the first minute.
Lions soon retaliated with their second-row, Ed Sumpter, powering over for a try, with Ben Young adding the conversion, making it a 5-7 lead for Lions.
Dings soon came back after 16 mins with their back-row, Jake Holcombe forcing his way over for a try and Steve Plummer adding the conversion to take back the lead at 12-7.
Lions put Dings under pressure with their No 8, Nick Cairns, crossing for a try, with Ben Young again adding the extras, to take a half-time lead of 12-14.

Half Time: Dings Crusaders 12 Leicester Lions 14

At the start of the second half Ben Young added a penalty for Lions, with Dings quickly replying with a penalty by Connor Swan.
Lions started to take control of the game with a try from their flying winger, Devon Constant, outpacing the Dings defence.
On 67 mins Dings’ Tony Welling was yellow carded for foul play.
Devon Constant added his second try of the afternoon with a spectacular effort speedily covering the pitch from inside his own 22 metre line for his second try, with Ben Young adding the conversion and opening the score up to 15-29.
On 71 mins Lions’ Jonny Murdoch was yellow carded for a technical offence.
In the last ten minutes of play Dings started to come back into the game. They finished off the game with two well taken tries by replacement Tom Anderson and No 8, Sam Graham, with Connor Swan adding a conversion taking the score to 27-29. The last conversion attempt of the game was missed, which, if successfully taken, would have drawn the game.

Full Time: Dings Crusaders 27 Leicester Lions 29

Competitive rugby by both sides saw a well balanced game. Four tries each to Dings Crusaders and Lions, with Lions acquiring the bonus point win. At times Dings were their own worst enemy with some ill-disciplined play.

Following the game Lions were in sixth position in the league and Dings Crusaders in tenth position. A most enterprising start to the season for Lions with five wins (two on the road) and two defeats. Ed Sumpter is now second highest try scorer in National League 2 South with eight tries.

Lions’ head coach, Gareth Collins, said, “We played well during the game against Dings, who did not give us an easy time. We drew away in the middle of the second half, but Dings challenged us with their comeback in the last ten minutes.”

Teams – Order 15-9, 1-8, 16-20
Dings Crusaders: Tom Hargan, Jack Bates, Jordan Grattan, Marcus Brooker, Tyrese Johnson-Fisher, Luke Arscott, Steve Plummer, Liam Appleton, George Kloska, Josh Lloyd, Oliver Bilton, Gavin Curry, Jake Holcombe, Tony Welling, Sam Graham
Replacements: Joe Hawkesby, Duncan Ferguson, Tom Anderson, Connor Swan, Matt Smith

Leicester Lions: Sam Benjamin, Kaz Henderson, Luke Veebel, Jamel Hamilton, Devon Constant, Ben Young, James Stubbs, Will Roberts, Oli Taylor, James Whitcombe, Ollie Tapscott, Ed Sumpter, Ethan Godefroy, Jonny Murdoch, Nick Cairns
Replacements: Charlie Loveday, Simon Johnson, Drew Rudkin, Tom Benjamin, Rhod McNaughton

For further details consult www.ncarugby.com