Crusaders maintained their end-of-season revival with a battling win in their final match.

However, the afternoon was far from straightforward.

The hosts took an early lead through Rob Dye which went unconverted – but suddenly found themselves on the back foot, conceding a penalty and three tries, two of which were converted, leaving them 20 points down at the break and with a mountain to climb.

The hosts scored almost instantly from the kick-off, with Jack Boorman miraculously recovering the ball and after excellent interplay George Smith touching down.

Further scores during the course of an increasingly tense second half from Sam Barker and Rob Loone maintained the fightback, although the latter's failure to convert his effort left the hosts in search of a final try to complete a great comeback.

They finally achieved it through Loone again who converted his final effort to leave Crusaders deserved bonus point winners to delight the large crowd.