National Two South
Dings Crusaders RFC
Saturday 22nd October 2011
Southend 17 Dings 24

Playing into a very strong wind first half Dings trailed 0-14 at halftime after gifting the home side two tries but hit back in second half with three tries and twenty four points to record back to back wins and get their season back on track.

Dings fell behind in the third minute after they failed to field a simple long kick into their twenty two and after a couple of drives on the try line flanker Harry Hudson touched down for the home side converted by centre Simon Hoult. On fifteen minutes Dings fell further behind when stand off Waylon Gasson’s attempted long pass just inside his own half was intercepted by Hoult for an unopposed run in under the posts, Hoult added the conversion for 14-0 to the home side.

With a strong wind at their backs the home side dominated territory for the remainder of the first half with Dings defending well and restricting the home side to two missed penalty attempts but unable to get a foothold in the Southend half for a halftime score of 14-0 to the home side.

Dings opened the second half with a try within five minutes, wing Sheldon Stevens broke up the middle and carried the ball into the twenty two with flankers Elliott Goodman and Stean Williams on hand to move the ball to Lock Ollie Hodge for a try in the corner, full back Harvey Skelton converted from the touchline. The next twenty minutes was played with neither side threatening the try line, Hoult added a penalty for the home side on sixty two minutes but it was Dings who eventually got on top to dominate the final fifteen minutes.

On sixty-five minutes Dings got their second try when lock Tom Knight crashed over out wide from a lineout drive with Skelton again adding the long conversion. Two minutes later Dings were ahead for the first time in the game with their third try when debutant centre Marcus Brooker showed some neat footwork to touchdown after a great break from Skelton who added the conversion for 21-17 to Dings.

Skelton rounded off another fine kicking performance with a long-range penalty five minutes from time to seal a fine victory for Dings.

Scorers

Dings
Tries-Hodge, Knight, Brooker
Pens-Skelton
Con-Skelton 3

Southend
Tries-Hudson, Hoult
Pens-Hoult
Con-Hoult 2
Richard Grant - 07866097743