DINGS Crusaders were well beaten by table-toppers Tonbridge Juddians, going down at the Slade by six-tries to one during their 38-5 defeat. The home side stretched their lead at the top of the division after both Taunton and Henley failed to get a try bonus-point against Sutton & Epsom and Bury St Edmunds respectively.
TJ’s, who handed a debut to last season’s academy captain Tom Broome, made a fast start playing with width and ambition, which was rewarded early on when Toby May finished off a flowing attack.
Dings responded quickly, driving over from a close range line-out to level with hooker Joe Hawkesby dotting down, but that’s as good as it got for the visitors.
First, great communication and movement of the ball saw May break the line and Duncan Tout finished. Lock Rory McHugh was next to break the line as TJ’s found good front-foot ball easy to come by and second-row partner Dave Irwin finished off out wide.
Centre Dave Priest broke and off-loaded to Tout to cross for his second. Will Robinson converting, and the home side had the try bonus-point before half-time.
The second-half was a slightly quieter affair with both sides ringing the changes in heavy conditions but TJ’s crossed twice more. First through Priest after quick thinking from Charlie Edwards and then Tout completed his hat-trick. Robinson converting.