Dings Crusaders RFC
National League Two South
Saturday 20th March 2010
Dings Crusaders 29 - Lydney 27
Dings Crusaders completed the double over their west-country rivals but needed an 87th minute penalty from man-of-the-match Steve Plummer to decide the out-come of this pulsating contest. The former St Mary's scrum-half produced his best display of the season to finish with a 19-point haul after being handed the kicking duties for the first time.
Plummer said: "I didn't know I was going to be kicking today until after the warm-up. Our usual kicker, Tom Lukjaniec, wasn't available and it was
decided that either Jack Tovey or myself would kick - depending on how we went before kick off. I felt I was striking the ball well and, when I was
handed the ball for that final kick I just kept saying to myself, trust your technique, keep your head down and follow through. Luckily it sailed between
the posts"
Dings bossed the first half, going into the interval with a healthy 23-7 lead thanks to tries from prop James Curry, who crashed over from close
range after two minutes, and wing Tovey who received the scoring pass from Orlando Stott after the French full-back had carved his way through the
visitors defence to give his team-mate the easiest of run-ins. Plummer converted both tries and landed three penalties while Lydney kept in touch
with a try from centre Daniel Freeman converted by full-back Martin Knight.
But the second half was very different as the plucky visitors produced a stirring effort. Prop Steve Price dived on a loose ball in the Dings dead
ball area to start the Lydney revival and Knight, who also landed two further penalties, converted. Plummer landed a penalty on the hour mark to
make it 26-20 to Dings.
However, Lydney looked to have snatched the points when skipper Paul Price barged over for a converted try on 78-minutes to nudge Lydney into a 27-26
lead. But Crusaders responded in injury time after Lydney were forced to concede a penalty within kicking range. And it was left to Plummer to coolly
step up and slot the decisive penalty kick, giving Dings the narrow two-point victory.
Dings skipper Stean Williams said: "We have lost a few games this season right at the death but I felt we were due a last-minute result to go our
way. I thought or first half display was one of the best performances we have put together so far this season and we played some great rugby in
tricky conditions.
"We spoke at half time about the importance of getting the first score in the second period but they really came out firing and got a couple of early
scores which gave them confidence. But I think, on balance, we deserved our victory today
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