Canterbury Rugby Club again allowed a narrow lead to slip away as a 20-18 defeat to Dings Crusaders brought the chasing pack closer in a relegation-threatened National 2 South season.

The hosts were left to rue another missed opportunity after taking an early 12-point lead and then failing to exploit their scoring chances.

Dings were hit with two tries in the opening exchanges through Matthew Robinson and Wim Baars, but the visitors responded with a try of their own and added a penalty to make it 12-8 at half-time.

Dings’ second-half pressure was rewarded with a converted try as they took the lead for the first time.

Two Nick Dangerfield penalties took Canterbury back in front, but they were quickly countered by Dings’ third score.

When a late penalty opportunity, a 40-metre pressure kick for Dangerfield, came and went, it summed up another frustrating day for Canterbury.

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