Knighters Knights welcomed Clifton IIs for the first fixture between the two 2nd grades since 2019, with both teams now competing in Counties 1. For both players and supporters, it’s a fixture that would have stood out when they were announced, with a rivalry developed over the years, competing to be the premier club in the region.

The strength of the squad again on show again, with Nick English and Callum O’Donell having time on the paddock as well as Matt Bennetts first start, following recovery from his calf straining from weight put on after an all-inclusive holiday. Harry Tarling also given minutes following unavailability the previous weeks.

On a day, windier than Steve Lloyd after Curry night at the Royal Raj, it was set up to be a fixture impacted by the weather and just like the cricket, felt like the coin toss was going to be important. On his first attempt this year Callum O’Donell, lost the toss and Dings were made to play into the wind which made a few hairlines nervous as well as Louis Venn, playing his 1st game at full back.

Clifton looked to make the most of the wind with a couple of long kicks to keep the back 3 guessing and were 1st on the board, following a penalty awarded in front of the sticks which was nudged over towards the car bonnets. Following that was pure dominance from Dings with a repeat of the previous weeks, Dings utilising their strength in the scrum, to release the backs to sprinkle their magic. A scrum so strong that, when given an option of a lineout or scrum, Clifton went for the lineout, even with the hurricane winds knowing that they had better chance of winning the ball! Louis Venn was first to dot down, with great support play, Tarling putting Caven through a gap, who gave then ball back to Tarling to release Venn to race in, with Elswood adding the extras.

Hill, starting again at 9, made a good break following another dominant scrum and a good step, gave the Clifton 12 an opportunity to tackle without wrapping his arm into Hills head. The referee showed a yellow with cries of ‘diabolical’ from the home crowd. An excellent kick to the corner, a great take in the lineout allowed Elswood to exploit a gap in the depleted backline to feed Caven to score.
Another lineout platform and a good break from Bennett gave the backs another chance to attack a back peddling defense where Tarling was able to weave and run in from 40m.

With the backline ‘en fuego’, they were again able to make significant yards with Omar coming off his wing to free up Venn, who was unfortunate to be tackled short of the line. The ball coming back to Bennett, crashing over the gain line, was able to lift it up to the supporting Hill who was able to add to his impressive tally for the season.

Another scrum and another opportunity for the backs to attack. This time, a punch in the midfield via Greg Welling and the downhill slope allowing him to gain speed before committing the last man for Tarling to score his deux.

At Half Time – Dings 33 – Clifton 3.

The second half struggled to have the same flow as the 1st and despite the strong wind behind them, Dings were unable to utilise the wind as much as they had hoped. The game got scrappy and summed up by a yellow for each Dings and Clifton with the old boys suggesting that ‘the games gone soft’ with Greg Welling trying act ‘ard.

Clifton was first on the scoresheet again in the half, thwarting Dings attack through an interception. Despite great scrambling defence, Clifton was able to put the ball into space, to get their 1st try of the game.

Dings hit back via great pressure from Alex Johnson forcing a charge down giving Jamie Elswood the easiest of belly flops onto the loose ball, which gave them the needed breathing space as it could have got a little fruitier.

A mixture of changes and the lineout not being as efficient as it was in the 1st half, allowed Clifton a chance to come away with a try scoring bonus point. A little bit of territory following a good kick and forcing a turnover at the tackle allowed them to chip away at the lead. They scored again with an overthrow at the lineout giving them an opportunity to attack, which gave them their 3rd Try.

Time wasn’t on their side though, and Dings were able to come away with the 1st of 4 bragging rights opportunities this season. The next being when the 1st teams meet in November.

Another great result from Dings who maintain their winning start and achieving the full amount of points available to them. Next up, a trip to Gloucester against Chosen Hill Old Boys.

Star Man : Harry Tarling