STORM CIARAN arrived at Shaftesbury Park yesterday, and brought a soft breeze and the sunshine with him in his Player of the Match performance.
In form Luctonians arrive undefeated for round 8, and early indications were that they were prepared to play a forwards mauling game.
Dings remain solid, contesting every opportunity with returning Matt Lane and always strong Harry Casson, holding up a Luctonians attack over the line.
Dings skipper Matt Smith broke through and put the home side in for a certain score, but an intercepted pass by rapid Charlie Grimes had Luctonians putting the first 7 points on the board against the run of play.
Luctonians change tack, and the aerial battle began
A period of sustained play with both teams safe under the spiral bombs.
Dings maul provided a penalty advantage and the first sustained period of play for them but Casson and Harry Hone are unable to capitalise, when a penalty infringement gives Dings their first 3 from Jacob Perry.
Dings now in the ascendancy, a dynamic run from George Boulton, and the subsequent deliberate knock on put Perry between the posts for 3 more.
Luctonians return with powerful Owein Harriet-Montgomery, very strong all game, carrying through the 22 and on towards the try line, as they advanced through the phases, pressure building between the sticks, but adjudged held up at the stroke of half time. 6-7

Dings kick from the start and the aerial battle resumes, Luctonians Josh Watkins under pressure, regathered but always outnumbered. Dings fizz the ball out to the wing, Gabe Goss on his debut runs in with the spoils unconverted.

Luctonians now set up camp in Dings 22, mauling and carrying through the forwards and again notably, Harriet-Montgomery, but Sol Taufa and Donaghue leaving all out there, maintaining the last line of defence

Dings return to possession and with a penalty at the posts Perry converts again

At the restart, Luctonians return. A messy scrum on both sides the ball out through ever present Harriet-Montgomery hands through to width, and the tryline for 5 from James Wheeler
14-12

Luctonians pile on the pressure and retain ball in the home half, and a penalty through Silvers' boot puts them in front with 7 minutes to go.

Luctonians still strong, an infringement right in the middle of the Park, took the crowd by surprise as Donaghue stepped up with the tee.
From 50m straight through the uprights. 17-15
Dings forwards retain from the restart, with 15 seconds remaining, penalty Luctonians.
Opting for touch, line out, then hands across the field, but an infringement finishes the game 17-15 in Dings Favour