Dings Crusaders 17 - Clifton 15
By John 'Scoop' White
Dings Crusaders 17
Clifton 15
A 79th minute penalty from Dings Crusaders replacement fly-half Tom Lukjaniec was the deciding factor in this cliff-hanger of a local derby
clash at Landseer Avenue. Fourth-placed Clifton arrived at Lockleaze as favourites to take the spoils following their 10-try demolition of
Canterbury the previous week while Crusaders shipped 45 points last time out against lowly Westcombe Park.
But the form-book was tossed out of the window as the home side produced a determined performance to secure the win along with local bragging rights in front of their biggest crowd of the season.
Dings Captain Stean Williams said: "When the league fixtures came out at the beginning of the season, I looked for two fixtures - Clifton at home and
away. I thought neither of us would be promoted and both of our squads looked too good to go down so the derby matches against Clifton are of huge importance to us"
"We're the only team so far this season not to loose at Clifton - we drew 6-6 at their place in December and we've managed to win this one. We've let
our supporters down on a few occasions this season but judging by the reaction of the crowd at the final whistle, we've made up for those bad performances today"
Weather conditions and heavy under-foot conditions played there parts in deciding the tactical approach of both teams and an expansive game was never
likely to take place. The perceived soft-underbelly of the Clifton pack was dismissed as a myth as the visitors took the fight to Dings in the forward
exchanges, matching the Dings eight in every department with Darren Barry in impressive form at second row for Clifton.
But the usually reliable Clifton line-out faltered in the second half largely due to the ariel skills of Dings No8 Gavin Curry who stole several of Clifton's throw-ins at the set-piece on his way to picking up the man of the match award for the home side. And there was an intriguing sub-plot a
scrum-half where Dings Steve Plummer just about got the better of his opposite number Matt Britton. Both sides defended well with Clifton flanker
John Levis and Dings centre Alex Dancer both putting in some bone-jarring tackles for their respective sides.
Dings opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a long-range penalty from wing George Watkins. Clifton replied with an unconverted try from flanker
Dean Taylor-Menzies a minute later. The Kiwi open-side was shunted over from a well-formed catch and drive at the line-out.
Watkins thumped over two further 40-metre penalties to restore the lead to the home side but it was Clifton who went in to the break with a 12-9
advantage. Dings coughed up possession during a 35th minute attack and the turn over ball was passed on to prolific try-scoring wing Rob Viol who raced in for his 17th try of the season - Barnes converted.
Crusaders regained the lead in the 56th minute when full-back Orlando Stott squeezed in at the left hand corner for an unconverted try. But two minutes
later a Barnes nudged Clifton back in front. And with the score at 15-14 to the visitors, Barnes had a chance to take Clifton four-point clear with a
penalty under the Dings post on 75 minutes - the successful kick would have meant that Dings would have needed a try of two penalties to win.
But the normally reliable boot of Barnes let him down on this occasion and from the re-start Dings were awarded a penalty. Dings punted to the corner
and once again Clifton were penalised to give the home side a last minute life-line. And up stepped replacement fly-half Tom Lukjaniec to coolly stroke over the match-winning penalty for Dings.
Dings coach James Farndon couldn't hide his delight after and said: "I really pleased for the boy's today and all of our spectators. This result
means so much to the people of Dings and I thought we deserved to win on balance today. It couldn't have gone any better for us today. We had our largest crowd of the season and we also dedicated half of our gate receipts to the 'Help for Hero's' fund so we're all very happy"
Clifton Director of Rugby Darren Lloyd fumed: "We made far too many mistakes today. Our line-out went to pieces in the second half and we missed some
kicks at goal that we would normally get. Dings deserved their win but we felt a few decisions went against us - I think the referee was a bit intimidated by the crowd but that's just the way it goes sometimes"
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