Dings Crusaders 8 Canterbury 13

CANTERBURY came away from a west country mud bath with a superb win over Dings - a side who had only lost at home to league leaders Mounts Bay this season.

The city club achieved their success through a mighty effort at both front and back, a really high class try late in the match and a couple of crucial decisions that went in their favour when under severe pressure.

Canterbury got away to a good start with a penalty after two minutes. Kieron Lewitt, making a first appearance at full-back in an illness and injury-plagued side which featured prop Matt Pinnick in the second row, took the chance cleanly.

Five minutes later Dings were level after Canterbury were caught offside and on the quarter hour the home side eased ahead after a lineout catch and drive paved the way for a try by flanker Jim Stanford.

The score was unconverted and the home side also missed a penalty late in the half.

Lewitt kicked his second penalty on 52 minutes to leave the game wide open and then, six minutes from the end, came the wonderful killer blow.

Fly-half Wessel Wolmarans hoisted an inch-perfect cross-kick to the left corner flag where wing Mike Melford caught it at full tilt a metre out and finished triumphantly.

Wolmarans stroked the conversion from wide out to ensure Canterbury came away with four points.