Landseer Avenue.

The visitors, leading 25-23 as the contest drifted into overtime, were awarded a penalty. But ill-discipline by visiting wing Jakie Carter saw the penalty reversed by referee James Sullivan, and Dings were handed one last chance to steal the victory.

But the Lockleaze faithful could only watch as fly-half Mitch Burton's long-range shot dropped agonisingly short. Former Gloucester centre Terry Fanolua fielded the ball under his posts and hoofed it into touch, to signal the end of the contest.

Crusaders, after a shaky start in which they conceded six points via the boot of full-back Gareth Thompson, responded magnificently. Dings' tactics were simple during an entertaining and committed first-half – play in the right areas, put pressure on the title favourites, and wait for them to crack.

And crack they did, and the home side deservedly went into the interval leading 13-6, with Burton landing two penalties as well as adding the extras after prop Josh Lloyd crashed over for his first of two tries.

Burton banged over another penalty after the break to extend Dings' lead. Hartpury lost back-rowers Lewis Ludlow and Alex Woodburn to the sin-bin either side of half time, but 60-seconds of madness by Dings turned the game on its head, as first wing Ollie Reyland, then hooker Dave Wheeler were yellow carded within a minute of each other, and Hartpury took full advantage.

The Gloucester-based side upped the tempo, and ran 13-man Dings ragged with converted tries by flanker Andrew Chester, lock William Waldron, and a five-pointer by scrum-half Ben Vellacutt, before Dings could draw breath.

But this season, Dings are made of sterner stuff, and strong performances by flanker Sam Steer, prop Mike Flook, wing James Oakley and lock Jake Holcombe, saw them force their way back into the match.

Lloyd rumbled over from a catch and drive to score his second converted try of the afternoon on 75 minutes, and it was the would-be champions who were hanging on at the end of the contest.

But despite Dings' brave effort, they drop into the SSE National League Two South relegation places.

Injured-player coach Mark Woodrow reflected on his side's narrow defeat, and rued Crusaders double yellow card, which he believes cost his side the game.

Scorers: Dings tries: Lloyd 39, 75. Conversions: Burton 40, 76. Penalties: Burton 29, 36, 44. Hartpury tries: Chester 52, Waldron 55, Vellacutt 67. Conversions: Thompson 53, 56. Penalties: Thompson 8, 25.

Courtesy The Bristol Post