Dings Crusaders 29 Richmond 22

Dings opened the season with a four-try win over much-fancied Richmond and some sparkling debuts from their young backs.

Centre Alistair Crombie led the way with an outstanding performance topped off with a fine solo try, while full- back Jack Tovey and wing George Watkins were solid all afternoon and a constant threat with the ball.

Disrupted before the kick-off when lock Darren Jefferies broke his leg in the warm-up, Dings reshuffled pack led by flanker and new skipper Stean Williams more than matched the heavier Richmond eight.

The visitors opened the scoring in the second minute with a penalty from full-back Matt Hart and, after two uncharacteristic misses from Dings Adam Westall, Hart increased the visitors lead to 6-0 on 17 minutes with his second penalty.

Dings opened their account on 25 minutes when lively scrum-half Ricky Jones darted over for a try from the base of the pack after a good drive, but Westall again had no success with the conversion.

Richmond replied within five minutes when a chip over the defence from stand-off Luke Cousins bounced kindly for No 8 Gavin Hart to gather and touch down in the corner.

A third penalty from Matt Hart on 35 minutes saw the visitors stretch their lead to 14-5 approaching half-time, but tries either side of the break from Dings saw them take a deserved lead.

The first, on the stroke of half-time, came from Westall, who finished off some great driving play from centre Luke Plummer, Williams and prop Tim Brockett.

Westall added the conversion to narrow the deficit to 14-12.

Within two minutes of the restart Dings were ahead with a try from replacement hooker Richard Thomas on his debut. He barged over from close in after Williams had stolen the ball at the base of a Richmond scrum.

Westall converted for a 19-14 lead in Dings' favour.

On 50 minutes, the visitors drew level when prop Tom Nuttall got the touch down after a good driving maul from the pack.

However, the game was won for Dings on the hour mark with the best try of the match.

Quick ball just inside the visitors' half was swiftly moved through hands by Jones, Westall and Plummer to Crombie in space, but with plenty of defenders to beat.

However, the centre weaved his way under the posts for a converted try and a seven-point lead.

The final quarter was even and well- contested and both defences were at full stretch.

Hart and Westall exchanged penalties in the final 10 minutes to complete the scoring.