Dings Crusaders 17 Shelford 18 : Despite outscoring visitors Shelford three tries to two, Dings managed to conjure up another defeat.

Deep into injury-time, with the final whistle due at the next breakdown, the Dings pack had possession in the Shelford 22 when they released the ball to the backs – it was turned over and hacked upfield for full-back Ed Gough to outstrip the defence and claim the winning try.

Dings opened brightly and dominated the opening stages, taking the lead on six minutes with an unconverted try from No 8 Gavin Curry, who touched down from a forward drive over the line.

Shelford hit back on 11 minutes with their first attack. A free-kick on the Dings 22 saw the visitors set up a series of drives taking them to the try line for flanker Scot Jackowski to touchdown. Gough converted from the touchline to give the visitors a 7-5 lead.

Five minutes later, Gough added a penalty to extend the lead with another fine long kick.

Both sides had chances to score again before Dings regained the lead on 34 minutes with a try from scrum-half Ricky Jones after good pressure from their pack. Adam Westall added the conversion to put the hosts 12-10 up.

Dings, who were on the wrong side of referee Greg MacDonald for most of the half, conceded yet another penalty on the stroke of half-time for Gough to regain the lead for the visitors.

Shelford had the wind in their favour in the second half and used it well, continually kicking deep to pen Dings in their own 22 for long periods. However, the Dings defence never really looked like conceding a try.

The hosts regained the lead on 54 minutes, with a try from wing Orlando Stott after the pack had driven the ball deep into the visitors' 22 and produced a quick feed along the line.

With a couple of missed penalty attempts by both sides, Dings looked to have secured the win when in possession deep in the Shelford half with just seconds remaining, but a turnover saw the visitors hack the ball on for full-back Gough to touch down, give his side the narrowest of wins and inflict a third straight defeat for Dings.