Ding Crusaders have equalled their best ever National Division Three South finish after ending the campaign in sixth.

The Lockleaze-based side achieved the same placing in 2003-04 and last season, but brought their term to a close with a defeat at Rugby.

Dings finish level on points with Barking but they stay ahead of the Essex side because they have claimed more wins.

The Midlanders finished the match strongly, scoring two tries in the closing stages to condemn Dings to an undeserved larger margin defeat.

Rugby opened the scoring on two minutes when James Hawken landed a penalty before centre Matt Goode crossed the whitewash nine minutes later.

Dings' scrum-half broke on the blindside from a ruck and his pass was intercepted by Goode, who touched down under the posts. Hawken converted.

Back came Dings, who controlled play for the next 15 minutes but could not turn their domination into points and Lloyd Warner landed a drop goal to extend Rugby's lead before Adam Westall kicked a penalty close to half-time.

Dings conceded a second try minutes after the break. The visitors spilled possession on halfway, wing Michael Rust hacked on then won the race for the corner. Hawken converted.

But the Bristol side hit back with two tries to reduce Rugby's advantage to three points.

Full-back Chris Wright-Hider touched down after hooker Dave Wheeler won a turnover and a drive down the middle from lock Dave Bufton.

Dings' forwards then set up the debutante winger George Watkins to side-step home. Westall landed both conversions.

But that was as close as the Crusaders got. Rugby sealed the spoils – and collected a try bonus point – with two tries in the final two minutes.

Flanker Lloyd Saunders went over after profiting from another Dings mistake.

Then, right on the stroke of full time, scrum-half Toby Handley broke from the base of the scrum and chipped over for full-back Jack Green to score. Hawken added a conversion.