It was another trip up the M5 for the Dings U15’s this Sunday for the return fixture against Longlevans. Following the narrow win by Dings the last time the two sides met this had all the makings of a very competitive game.

Dings kicked off into the sun, and were immediately pushed back into their own half by some very powerful running from the Levans forwards. Some strong defending ensued, but the pressure resulted in an early penalty giving the first points to Levans. 3 – 0. Not an ideal start, but perhaps this was just what was needed to stir the Dings into action.

From the restart, Dings started to assert their authority on the game with quick ball that allowed Bill to make an evasive run deep into the Levans half to set Ethan Hawtin up for a powerful run in to touch down under the posts. Archie added the extras to make it 3 - 7. Normal service had resumed.

From the re-start Levans upped the intensity, and the game started to become an arm wrestle between the forwards. The penalty count was starting to mount on both sides which hampered the flow of the game and caused some indecision at the line outs and rucks, however, Dings started to adapt to the referees whistle winning possession and pushing back into the Levans half. Herbie then broke the Levans line making 20m before off-loading to Ethan Hawtin whose pace put him over the line on the far side. 3 - 12.

From the re-start Ethan Hunt covered nearly half the pitch with some very direct running. Powerful support came from Ollie Mahoney who took the ball to within 15m of the line, before the ball was recycled across to the far side of the pitch where Bill was able to finish a great team try. 3 - 17.

Longlevans continued to batter their way into the Dings defences, but a turnover by the Dings forwards set up another Dings attack. This resulted in an unfortunate high tackle by Levans which earned them a yellow card close to half time. This seemed to lift the intensity of the Levans players and they were soon smashing their way, route one, up the pitch to score a well-deserved try on the stroke of half time. 8 - 17

The second half started with a Levans kick, which was secured by Dings, however, the high penalty count was still causing both teams problems. A number of penalties against Dings put Levans within range of the line with a line out on the 5m mark. A solid catch and drive from the Levans forwards resulted in the inevitable try despite a valiant effort by Dings to defend without conceding another penalty. The try was converted to make it 15 – 17.

With Levans right back in the game Dings now stepped up a gear with some good flowing backs play putting Ethan Hawtin under the posts for his hat-trick, with Stapes converting. 15 – 24

It wasn’t long before Jalen marked his return from injury with another try under the posts, and Stapes added the extras. 15 – 31

After a good spell of possession Levans started to move up the pitch but dogged Dings defence forced them to kick and chase. A massive up and under was heading for Alfie who made a tremendous catch and then ran the ball back at Levans with interest. Dings were back on the front foot again allowing Dylan to cut a line to the posts for another try. Stapes converted making it 15 – 38.

Despite a valiant effort by Levans, Dings were now in control. Attacking the Levans line again and again. Moving the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, a long pass was tipped on by Jalen (not a missed catch honestly) to Seb who ran in a try in the corner. 15 - 43

As the game drew to a close, Dings kept the pressure on with Dylan chipping through to the in-goal area, where Archie capitalised on Levans indecision to steel a try at the end. Dylan converted to make the final score 15 – 50.

Two very good teams playing very good rugby with a final score that did not reflect the excellent effort and physicality put in by Longlevans. The new linesman wasn’t bad either. Come back Ivor all is forgiven.