Smith double stretches Crusaders’ lead
South West Premier
DINGS Crusaders increased their lead at the top of the South West Premier to 11 points following a 37-26 bonus point victory against Brixham.
Matt Smith scored a brace of tries for the title chasers who have now won 13 from their 16 matches so far this season.
Jake Holcombe, Steve Plum and Harry Tovey added further tries for the
Bristol-based side while Ben Bolster kicked two penalties and three conversions.
Meanwhile promotion chasers Newton Abbot lost second place to Bournemouth following a 26-25 defeat at the hands of Cleve.
Greg Welling and Jade Wiltshire scored a brace of tries each for Cleve and they held on for victory as Newton hit the posts with a penalty in the last play of the match.
Bournemouth moved up
a place but missed out on the bonus point following a 13-7 victory at Cambourne.
Due to torrential rain their tie was moved forward to a 2pm kick-off and the soggy conditions left for a tough afternoon.
Bournemouth took a 6-0 lead in the opening 29 minutes thanks to two Grant Hancox penalties before the ever-reliable Sam Hardcastle ran over the games opening try before the break.
With the final phase of the game, Cambourne replied with a try of their own but it was in vain.
Exmouth came from 14 points down to clinch a 30-24 victory over Maidenhead in a top-half clash also played in wet conditions.
Sam Hallett and Louis Ellis ran over two converted tries to put Maidenhead 140 ahead after 23 minutes.
Debutant Nick Headley pulled Exmouth back into the tie before Mike Burnett scored the visitors’ third try.
Two Tom Whelan penalties drew Exmouth back to 19-13 at the break before Matt Ryan and Jack Downie put the hosts en route to victory in the second half. Bracknell ran out 38-27 winners at Weston-superMare thanks to tries from James Ingle, Chris Laidler, Gabe Hills and Pecili Naka.
Elsewhere Ivybridge made it back-to-back victories with a 25-8 win at home to Newbury Blues.
Finally, Lydney ran out 43-22 winners at home to Hornets.