Alan Martinovic is urging Dings Crusaders to end the season on a high as the club close in on their best ever National Division Three South finish.

Despite being deducted two points for not fielding enough front row forward replacements in the win over Bridgwater last month, Dings are well placed to improve on the sixth place they clinched in 2003-04 and last season.

The Lockleaze-based outfit are fifth and ahead of sixth-placed Canterbury on points difference after winning 33-29 against second-placed Ealing in their final home match of the season last weekend.

They visit Kent side Canterbury tomorrow (3pm) before rounding off their campaign at Rugby Lions a week tomorrow.

Director of rugby Martinovic said: "There is the danger if you are mid-table that the season could peter out and not finish in the best place you can.

"I did say prior to facing Ealing lets see in these next three matches if we can claim fifth or even fourth.

"We are at Canterbury on Saturday. That will be very tough. We have Rugby Lions away in the last match of the season. They are two hard places to go and win."

Christian Gervais starts in midfield with Orlando Stott not available and Sam Caven moves to the wing.

Tim Brockett replaces Chas Meddick (shoulder), who is unlikely to play again this season and flanker Ed Hack comes into the side.

Dings boosted their chances of a top-five finish by hanging on to claim their first victory of the season against a top-three side last weekend.

They beat second-placed Ealing in an outstanding game in Lockleaze with skipper Mike Panaho claiming a brace of tries.

Dings had led against leaders London Scottish last month and third-placed Rosslyn Park almost a fortnight ago but conceded last gasp scores in both matches to suffer defeats.

It looked like Martinovic's side could surrender again when taking on Ealing but this time their defence held out.

"I wasn't too bad actually," added Martinovic when asked about his nerves in the final minutes.

"We have had so many games like that that whatever comes your way you have to take it.

"I was desperately hoping we could hang on in there to get the win. We showed sheer guts, desire to win that game. It was an outstanding effort.

"We need to kick on from here now. The players must think they are not inferior to these teams (such as Ealing).

"If you have great team spirit and a real determination to win these games then you can overcome the (better) teams."