Sutton & Eps ….7
Dings Crus ……15
BOTH teams arrived at Rugby Lane with victories over Westcliff and Barnes to their credit so an even contest was expected.
Sutton started with the billowing wind in their favour and were on the front foot.
George Drye thought he had touched down only to see Dings run the ball clear.
However, on 10 minutes Ben Holt sniped in from close range. Sam Hurley converted for a 7-0 lead.
At the end of the first quarter an Ollie Milner penalty opened Dings' account.
More significantly the excellent defence of the visitors thwarted the hosts. Then with ruthless efficiency, the Crusaders scored with Joe Hawkesby, the hooker, burrowing in for the first of his two tries.
Leading 10-7 at the interval and with the wind now behind them Dings had the upper hand and within ten minutes of the restart had extended their lead to 15-7.
Hawkesby used his uncanny knack of being in the right place to complete his brace.
The West Country team turned the screw with Ollie Milner and Luke Arscott kicking into the corners. However, Sutton rallied as they introduced their bench, though they failed to add to their score.
Dings deserved their victory as they controlled the key moments to secure their third success of the campaign.
