Rugby Dings’ impressive first-half performance is enough to see off Reds
Dings........................................... 22 Old Reds...................................... 17
ASUPERB first-half performance paved the way for Dings’ three-tries to two victory over local rivals Old Reds at Shaftesbury Park - a result that sees the Frenchay-based side completed the league double over their cross-city rivals.
The 800-plus crowd enjoyed a feast of running rugby before the interval, but both sides adopted a more pragmatic approach after the turnaround.
As a result, Dings move up two places in the National League Two South table into 11th on 51 points, while Reds slip down to 13th, although still six points clear of the drop zone currently occupied by London Irish Wild Geese, Guernsey and Birmingham & Solihull. Both clubs still need to pick up further league points to be absolutely sure of surviving, but one win from the remaining four fixtures should be enough to secure level four status for another season.
Early indications suggested Dings held the aces in the packs, with their scrum dominating the men from Brislington at the set piece. The home side also had much the better of the territory and possession stakes, but a faltering line-out hampered their progress when in threatening positions. The forward exchanges leveled up as the game wore on, but by and large, Dings were in the ascendency up front.
Crusaders got off to a dream start with a try on seven minutes for Harry Tovey. The wing managed to shrug off the challenges of the league’s top try scorer Henry Bird and full-back Craig Owen to squeeze into the corner. Scrum- half Steve Plummer, who was making his 200th appearance in the royal blue & black missed the conversion and left the field shortly after with a groin injury.
Reds responded superbly with a patient build up that resulted in lock Chris Pursall crashing over - as he did in the previous meeting at Scotland Lane. Fly-half Kieran Hill added the extras from straight in front and Reds took the lead for the one and only time in the contest
More Dings pressure resulted in Hill knocking on inside his own dead ball area, leading to a fivemetre scrum to the home side. Crusaders got a slight right shoulder from the solid platform, allowing No8 Jake Holcombe the opportunity to power over from the base for an unstoppable score. Tovey took over the kicking duties and was successful with the conversion attempt to make it 12-7.
Both teams continued to hurl their bodies into the contact area in a fiercely contested match, but it was a touch of grace and elegance that produced Dings’ third try. The home side launched a perfectlytime set play from a line-out. The ball was spun out to the backs for centre Matt Smith to glide in close to the uprights without as so much of a hand being laid on him. Tovey again added the extras.
Hill kept Reds in touch with a well struck penalty on 38 minutes but Tovey cancelled it out on the stroke of half-time with a three pointer that made it 22-10 at the break.
Stern words in the dressing room at half-time by Reds boss Saul Nelson appeared to do the trick, with the visitors enjoying much more territory and possession in the second-half. Crusaders looked to have shut up shop for the afternoon, with all of their ear- lier attacking ambition put on hold, as they sat back and allowed Reds to take the game to them.
But a sense of urgency returned following the 57th minute try from Reds scrum-half Kyian Wiltshire. Dings had possession just inside their own half, but a steal by flanker Scott Coster allowed Wiltshire a chance to break clear, sell a dummy and sprint for the line. Replacement fly-half Ash Groves rebounded the conversion off the upright and over to bring his side within five points and right back into the game with a quarter of the match remaining.
Dings upped their game in the closing stages and battered away at the Reds line. But credit to the visitors who defended magnificently to prevent Dings scoring a point in the second-half. Dings too were very good without the ball and never allowed Reds so much as a sniff of possession in their own 22. Next up for Dings is a trip to the Channel Islands to face Guernsey, while Reds return to Scotland Lane to take on Taunton Titans.
Clifton’s 24-22 victory over Bury St Edmunds will be remembered more for the excitement of the encounter than the quality of play with the lead changing hands throughout. The first-half saw Bury dominate much of the possession and territory with strong surges and good ball retention.
However, the scores were level at half time. Scum-half Mitch Spencer with a classic kick and chase opened the scoring for Clifton but some loose play let in Bury centre Mark Kohler with Cameron Ritchie converting to give the visitors a narrow lead. Soon after prop Patrick Robinson took advantage of further slackness in the Clifton ranks to extend the lead for the visitors. Deft handling though sent home centre Sam Goatley on a run to go under the post with Luke Cozens adding the extras.
A rejuvenated Clifton pack began the second period applying pressure but former Clifton winger Finlay Sharp seized on a break down to speed down the pitch and touchdown. But Clifton were now more evident in attack and Dan Hill powered over to keep his team in contention.
In the final quarter Clifton spread the ball wide for Goatley to speed over with Cozens converting and give them a seven-point lead. Bury continued to apply pressure deep into added time to force a catch and drive from which Sharp crossed again with the conversion falling short to ensure Clifton took the five points.