ROSSLYN PARK 24 DINGS CRUSADERS 17: Dings Crusaders secured a losing bonus point in this entertaining clash with third-placed Rosslyn Park at Rockhampton but could have easily returned to Bristol with more had they not given away a string of first-half penalties.

Eagerness in defence cost Crusaders dearly as they were constantly penalised by former Super League referee Karl Kirkpatrick at the breakdown for offside offences, which ultimately cost them the match.

Dings produced a much-improved performance from their mediocre effort against Bridgwater last week, outscoring their rivals by three tries to two. But they are still in search of their first victory in London this season. The game was there for the taking and they must surely feel that this was the one that got away. Coach James Farndon said: "We are happy to get the bonus point but, had our core skills been a bit better, we might have come away with more. A few loose passes and the odd poor decision let us down."

Park opened the scoring within the opening two minutes with a penalty from their impressive fly-half Ross Laidlaw, who punished the visitors when they crept offside at a ruck.

Laidlaw struck again for Park before Dings opened up the home defence in the 19th minute with a delightful move involving fly-half Neil Dipple and wing George Watkins.

The winger was tackled in the 22 but popped the ball up to supporting hooker Ollie Hayes, who didn't quite have enough gas to make it to the try-line and was hauled down agonisingly short. The Dings pack recycled the ball and battered away at the try-line before switching to centre Sam Caven who scored an unconverted try.

However, the Bristol side continued to fall foul of the referee and conceded two further penalty scores to trail 12-5 at the interval.

Park tried to play a high tempo game but the visitors were up to the task in defence with back row trio of Pierre Panizzutti, Stean Williams and Gavin Curry policing the fringes well.

The Londoners crossed for their first try after 59 minutes but the referee had to consult with his touch judge before awarding James Strong's controversial effort after the winger appeared to have gone out of play. Back came Dings with a barnstorming effort from Tim Bagg, who crashed over beneath the posts after his determined charge and hand-off enabled him to shake off his marker to grab Crusaders second try. Tom Lukjaniec converted.

Dings were caught napping by Park in the 73rd minute, conceding a soft converted try from centre Ross Smale that took Park into a 24-12 lead with eight minutes remaining. But Dings responded yet again when replacement prop James Curry rumbled over following a tap-penalty during the last play of the game to ensure that the visitors travelled back along the M4 with a well-deserved bonus point.