Late tries edge 12-score cracker
DINGS made a fantastic start to the new decade thanks to a bonus-point win over Esher at Shaftesbury Park.
The victory came on the back of a solid firsthalf performance in which No.8 Sam Graham and hooker George Kloska really stood out in what was a good all-round team display.
Esher had the better of the second half, but Crusaders finished strongly to clinch the spoils in this 12-try thriller.
Kloska got the scoreboard ticking over with a try converted by fly-half Steve Plummer in the second minute.
Esher replied with fullback Callum Monks crossing and Tristan Roberts adding the extras. Luke Arscott went over next for the home side before Gavin Curry scored to take Dings 19-7 clear.
Lock Cam Gentles pulled a converted try back for the visitors, but the rampant home side added two further tries through Tom Knight and Matt Smith to secure the try bonus-point and make it 31-14 at the turn.
But it was all Esher for 30 minutes of the second half with the Surreybased side adding 19 points to take a 33-31 lead.
Jack Walsh, James Booth and Ben Davies crossed for tries, with Roberts adding two conversions.
However, Crusaders found another gear in the closing stages, with Graham and Tom Hargan adding late tries to cement the win.
TEAMS
DINGS CRUSADERS: Arscott, Hargan, Brooker, Smith, Grattan, Plummer, Boyland, Appleton, Kloska, Bruce, Dun, Curry, Welling, Bilton, Graham
Replacements: Lloyd, Harwood, Knight, Millner, Clark
ESHER RUGBY: Monks, Mitchell, Chaumeton, Druce, Booth, Roberts, Bullock, Lowes, Hope, Lamb, Gentles, Sloan, Wilkins, Gossington, Dow
Replacements: Hamilton, Lloyd, Bullett, Davies, Walsh
REFEREE: Ian Kiy
ATTENDANCE: 347
Star man
Sam Graham – Dings
