Bournemouth suffered heartache in the dying moments of an enthralling contest as they went down 26-33 to Dings Crusaders at Chapel Gate.

Lions Performance Director, Richard Sharp, was visibly proud of his players after the match, saying, “It was great to give the home crowd something to get excited about - a huge, spirited performance.”

The match had been moved to a secondary pitch due to horrendous weather, and the local team had been forced into several changes to the line-up.

Grant Hancox, playing out of position at scrum-half, kicked two penalties in a tense first half-hour in which the home team controlled possession and territory.

But flanker Alex Bilton’s try for Dings on 28 minutes after a turnover scrum on the Bournemouth 22 saw the game catch fire. Just before half-time, hometown flanker Ben Roberts was sent to the bin for a high tackle, and the resultant penalty try put his team 6-12 down at the break.

It was the same story as so often for Bournemouth this season, as immediately after half-time their concentration lapsed and Dings pounced with two tries in quick succession from wing Tyrese Johnson-Fisher and full-back Jordan Grattan.

AT 6-26 down on 50 minutes, Lions might have crumbled. And Sharp felt that on another day his team might have had the better of a close-fought period.

“That second half was a nail biter,” he said.

“If a couple of decisions had gone our way things could have been different.”

But Bournemouth were not defeated. Hancox, outstanding all afternoon, led the fightback with a try on 54 minutes, adding the extras in an impeccable kicking display. Centre Freddie Gleadowe, in the tries early in the season, added a second minutes later on his return to the side after a period of night shifts. Again, Hancox converted to bring his team within a score at 20-26.

The home side maintained control and possession throughout the second period, and dominance in the scrum led to a penalty on 73 minutes that Hancox duly dispatched. A second, three minutes from time, saw Dings substitute George Curry sent to the bin, and Hancox delivered from the tee to draw the scores level at 26-26 with 2 minutes remaining.

With the comeback complete, Lions looked for victory with the wind in their sails and the animated crowd, who had just about caught their breath, willing them on. But as the ball spilled out of the scrum on half-way, Dings scrum-half Thomas Knight seized his chance, beating the tired defenders for pace and scoring the winner under the posts. Substitute Steven Plummer added the conversion for 26-33, and victory for his side.

Sharp said after the match:

“It was a terrific game played in the traditional spirit. Amazing to see the boys deliver ‘uncoachables’ - heart, desire, drive to win together.”

“We had so much youth come into side, and got exactly what we wanted: hunger, desire passion. It was a very mature performance.”

“There were some herculean efforts: Joe Rees as always, Grant Hancox, and Alan Manning was outstanding in defence.”

“And we had the Dings scrum creaking throughout. It was great to see George Cotterell come in as a young guy and stuff the opposite tight-head.”

Dings Director of Rugby, Luke Arscott, said, “We got away with one today. Under a lot of pressure we were lucky to sneak it.”

By Adam Hunter

Full image gallery – Bournemouth Vs Dings Crusaders

Photos by Simon Carlton