In their last warm up game before the BJC cup Dings U15s took on local rivals Keynsham. With a large number of players being rested due to injury and Academy commitments, Dings would start with a bare 15.

Dings kicked off and immediately regained the ball and started to go through the phases with some excellent ball retention that kept Keynsham in their own half. Gradually Dings pushed Keynsham back into their own 22 and it looked as though it would only be a matter of time before Dings scored.

Unfortunately, Keynsham regained possession and made a break using their big backs to get within striking distance of the Dings line. Quick ball from the breakdown put Keynsham over for the first try. 5 - 0

Undeterred Dings restarted and began to build the phases again. Some excellent clearing out from Harry, Tom G and Tom H, kept the ball in Dings hands for long periods. But it was another breakaway runner from Keynsham that managed to slip through the Dings defences to score in the corner. 10 - 0

Despite the score line Dings were playing all the rugby and the pressure was beginning to mount on Keynsham again, when Hawts made another sniping run to get within 10m where he provided a perfect offload for Thomas Hedges to run in Dings first try. 10 - 5
Keynsham soon retaliated with a concerted push up the middle of the pitch, and despite some heroic tackling from Josh Pullen and George Johnson, they managed to break through to score under the posts. 17 - 5

As the half drew to an end Dings still had plenty of fight left in them. A perfectly weighted chip from Joe put Hawts behind the Keynsham defence and dings were once again in range to strike. More excellent phase play from the Dings forwards got to within 5 m when Ethan Hunt seized the opportunity to pick and go from the ruck and score on the stroke of half time. 17 - 10

Dings were now playing uphill with a couple of players off injured and would need to show some real strength of character to stay in the game. A clean catch from the restart put Dings on the front foot, with some strong carries from Harry and his fellow forwards. Quick ball from the breakdown allowed Hawts to break the Keynsham line and run half the length of the pitch to score under the posts. Joe Bennett converted and against all the odds Dings were on level terms. 17 - 17

Dings continued to battle on playing most of the rugby, but Keynsham were now starting to unleash their big runners from any turnover ball that came their way. It was only a matter of time and a couple of missed tackles that allowed Keynsham to score a break away try. 24 - 17

Despite some desperate defence from Dings, Keynsham scored a further two break away tries to close the game out. 38 - 17

This was always going to be a tough test for the depleted Dings side, but the strength of character and grit shown by the Dings team was admirable and will have undoubtedly boosted their confidence for the final next week. Overall a performance to be proud of.
A big thanks is owed to Keynsham for providing such a physical challenge as ever, and for the loan of three of their players.