Finally Dings U15s took on Clifton in the long-awaited Bristol Junior Combination Cup Final at Lockleaze on Wednesday evening. The weather was set fair (no snow to worry about this time) and the boys were confident of a giving a big performance, and they didn’t disappoint.

From the kick off Dings dominated play keeping Clifton pinned in their own half. Some excellent openside work from Tom Garland snuffed out the Clifton counter attack before it had a chance to start, and Dings pressure soon resulted in a prolonged period of possession. Confidence was growing as Dings probed the Clifton defences, until the Clifton line speed managed to foil a Dings move and punt the ball deep into the Dings half.

Excellent scramble defence from Josh Pullen surely saved a try as the Clifton players poured up the pitch. Dings managed to retain possession and put in a long clearance kick back in to Clifton territory. An aggressive chase then tackle from Seb put the Clifton back three under pressure. Will Warman also in pursuit dislodged the ball from the Clifton defence and put Dylan through to score under the posts. Archie converted and Dings had their dream start 7 – 0.

Dings maintained the pressure with Clifton rarely getting past the halfway line. As Dings edged closer to the 22, the Clifton line speed was a little too fast straying off side once too often and giving Dings a penalty in front of the posts. Archie stepped up and secured the points. 10 – 0
Everything seemed to be going to plan when from the restart, Clifton started to use their heavy forwards to trundle their way up the pitch.
Despite a valiant effort to halt their progress Dings were getting out muscled at the breakdown and Clifton were now within 5 m of the line. One last thrust and a missed tackle and Clifton were back in the game just before half time. 10 – 5

Clifton started the second half with renewed confidence and a clear game plan to use their greater size and weight to their advantage, resulting in the second half being a much more even contest than the first. Dings continued to attack, and even started to win the breakdown with a series of pick and goes that got them to within 5m of the Clifton line when possession was lost, and it was a foot race back to the wrong end of the pitch. Dings scramble defence managed to get back, but couldn’t stop Clifton getting their second in the corner. The conversion hit the post and went through making it 10 – 12.

With time running out Dings tried to up the tempo once more but the Clifton line speed and double marking of Dylan was proving difficult to overcome. Eventually some good direct running from Hawts and Seb put Dings within 10m of the Clifton line, when Clifton infringed at the ruck in front of the posts. Decision time; take the points, tap and go, or go for the corner.

Dings now confident of scoring tapped and go only to be met by the big Clifton forwards. A second penalty was awarded and Dings tapped and go again, but once again were thwarted by the Clifton defence. Eventually Clifton regained possession and kicked back into the Dings half.
Time was running out and Dings were now defending their own line. Clifton were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Surely they would kick the points to close the game out, but they opted to kick for the corner. Some desperate defence from the exhausted Dings forwards at the line out kept Clifton out for several phases, until Clifton came around the corner one final time to score under the posts to make the final score 10 – 19 to Clifton.

As is often the case when two very good teams meet, they both deserve to win, however, on the night Clifton managed to edge the win leaving Dings as the runners up.

Overall the performance from the Dings boys far outweighed the result, and their conduct after the game when congratulating the Clifton team is something the coaches and the parents can be truly proud of.

So here endeth a fantastic first season for the Dings U15s. Onwards and upwards for next season. Well done boys.
UP THE DINGS