Dings Crusaders and Knights v Clifton 1 & 2

The last derby for a season as Dings Crusaders 1st and 2nd XV took on local rivals Clifton RFCs 1s and 2s.

In near perfect conditions for rugby, as dusk arrived, the stage was set under the lights for battle to commence.

The 3 thirds of 40 minutes started with winger Solomon Taufa crossing the paint within 7 minutes, Returning Tom Knight converting.

Cliftons quick reply came through a series of Dings infringements as Nille Gibbons took advantage to level the scores.

Dings set piece soon after gifted Harry Tarling his first, and immediately after the restart, Tarling splits the Clifton backs for a second try.

Play settled with Dings and Clifton trading tackles and passes in the midfield, when a line break through Tom Foot sets Dings well within the Clifton 5m. Dings forwards running the show now as they bombard the try line, but it was Kenzie Jenkins taking the spoils.

The close of the first period came with an incredible display of hands and switch play between Knight and Tarling as he dotted down. Hat Trick Harry Tarling at Half Time! 33-7

Cliftons turn to break from the ropes now as Jay Evans scores and converts his own, but then a mistake in open play awarding Tom Hargan a shared try with Ezra Caven finishing off the score for the home side.

Clifton again resurgent, powering toward the home tryline through the phases, but a miss-pass, Hargan intercepts and gasses the length of the field to score ending the second passage of play 43-14.

Clifton run out for the 3rd period and take the game to Dings. With tries for young George Davey and soon after Danny Hodge taking the final glory narrowing the gap, finishing Dings Crusaders 43 Clifton RFC 26.

It's a cliche, but yes, with high spirits on and off the field, tonight the winner was rugby.

Up the Dings!