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KnightsMidsomer Norton
48
34
Dings maintain their perfect start
Neil Dipple12 Dec - 23:56
Dings Knights 48 Midsomer Norton - 36
Dings Crusaders vs MSN
Dings Knights overcame what was billed to be their toughest test with another 5 point victory against a determined Midsomer Norton side. Despite the scoreline, the sides were evenly matched in the 1st half, however an improvement in accuracy from the home side in the 2nd half with four answered tries, allowed Dings to create an unassailable lead. The late resurgence from MSN making the score a better reflection of a really competitive game
Dings Knights bolstered their team since their victory away at Chard with Matt ‘Eric Bana’ Bennett in the back row and Lewis O’Grady adding further flair into the backline.
Midsomer Norton started the brighter, a penalty for holding on from the initial collection at kick off and a nudge to the corner, allowed MSN to set up for a maul. Despite the good initial defence, MSN were able to get over the whitewash to register the 1st try of the game to lead 5-0.
Dings struck back almost immediately, with their 1st spell of possession, Callum O’Donnell feeding Matt Bennett on the inside to score his first of the game, with Jamie Elswood adding the extras.
Another bit of poor discipline from the home side and a well executed lineout put MSN back in front. The inside centre running a beautiful short line off of the maul to move back in front. Unable to add the extras, MSN led 10-7.
With the aim of playing at tempo, Elswood put Sam Hales through a hole in the MSN defence and an infringement from MSN in the following breakdown, as the backs looked to go wide and quick thinking from the energetic Mack Hill, released Matt Bennett for his 2nd of the game putting Dings back in the lead. Elswood unable to add the extras kicking into the strong wind.
MSN were able to strike back, with their impressive scrum half spotting a weakness at the fringe of the ruck to leave a 2 on 1 and feed the supporting player to go ahead for the 3rd time in the game. The wind proving difficult for the kickers as Norton weren’t able to add to their score.
Not to be outdone by his opposite number, Mack Hill replicated the snipe at the breakdown, but this time not trusting the supporting man, in the distraught Louis Venn, who could of scored under the sticks. The quick recycle saw Josh Lloyd feed Matt Bennett to score possibly the quickest hatrick seen at the new ground. Jamie Elswood adding the extras.
Dings looked to break this scoring pattern that was emerging and a break from Greg Welling gave a great opportunity for Dings to back up their previous score, however a dropped ball gathered by the MSN centre and a race to the corner against someone towing a caravan saw MSN return back into the lead.
The final score of the half belonged to Dings, and some great phase play saw the ball shifted to Lewis O’Grady who was able to break the line and feed Ezra Caven to score. Jamie Elswood unable to add the extras.
Half Time – Dings 24-20.
Dings came out the strongest in the 2nd half and were able to increase their lead with a penalty given and a kick to the corner, gave Dings an opportunity to execute their driving lineout which has proved effective throughout the season, with Caleb Bonello able to add to his seasons tally.
Dings momentum continued, with great defensive pressure initially on the scrum half and the resulting passes, saw Greg Welling collect the loose ball and show that his fast twitch fibres still function as he raced to the whitewash and make the kick easy for Elswood.
Pressure at the lineout, saw an overthrow where Bonello collected to run at the loose defence, feeding on the inside to O’Donnell whose awareness of Mack Hill in support, put the scrum half in to cap a great performance with a try. Elswood adding to the lead.
Dings increased their lead further, with a great Crossfield kick from Elswood, despite the conditions, to feed Sol Taufa who finished typically like a Polynesian and showing the strong relationship between the 10 and 11.
Midsomer Norton scored a couple of tries to reduce the score, however the four tries after half time was too much to recover and were unable to reduce the deficit to score a losing bonus point, which after the 1st half performance, would be deserved.
Dings Crusaders 48 – 34 Midsomer Norton
Dings Knights overcame what was billed to be their toughest test with another 5 point victory against a determined Midsomer Norton side. Despite the scoreline, the sides were evenly matched in the 1st half, however an improvement in accuracy from the home side in the 2nd half with four answered tries, allowed Dings to create an unassailable lead. The late resurgence from MSN making the score a better reflection of a really competitive game
Dings Knights bolstered their team since their victory away at Chard with Matt ‘Eric Bana’ Bennett in the back row and Lewis O’Grady adding further flair into the backline.
Midsomer Norton started the brighter, a penalty for holding on from the initial collection at kick off and a nudge to the corner, allowed MSN to set up for a maul. Despite the good initial defence, MSN were able to get over the whitewash to register the 1st try of the game to lead 5-0.
Dings struck back almost immediately, with their 1st spell of possession, Callum O’Donnell feeding Matt Bennett on the inside to score his first of the game, with Jamie Elswood adding the extras.
Another bit of poor discipline from the home side and a well executed lineout put MSN back in front. The inside centre running a beautiful short line off of the maul to move back in front. Unable to add the extras, MSN led 10-7.
With the aim of playing at tempo, Elswood put Sam Hales through a hole in the MSN defence and an infringement from MSN in the following breakdown, as the backs looked to go wide and quick thinking from the energetic Mack Hill, released Matt Bennett for his 2nd of the game putting Dings back in the lead. Elswood unable to add the extras kicking into the strong wind.
MSN were able to strike back, with their impressive scrum half spotting a weakness at the fringe of the ruck to leave a 2 on 1 and feed the supporting player to go ahead for the 3rd time in the game. The wind proving difficult for the kickers as Norton weren’t able to add to their score.
Not to be outdone by his opposite number, Mack Hill replicated the snipe at the breakdown, but this time not trusting the supporting man, in the distraught Louis Venn, who could of scored under the sticks. The quick recycle saw Josh Lloyd feed Matt Bennett to score possibly the quickest hatrick seen at the new ground. Jamie Elswood adding the extras.
Dings looked to break this scoring pattern that was emerging and a break from Greg Welling gave a great opportunity for Dings to back up their previous score, however a dropped ball gathered by the MSN centre and a race to the corner against someone towing a caravan saw MSN return back into the lead.
The final score of the half belonged to Dings, and some great phase play saw the ball shifted to Lewis O’Grady who was able to break the line and feed Ezra Caven to score. Jamie Elswood unable to add the extras.
Half Time – Dings 24-20.
Dings came out the strongest in the 2nd half and were able to increase their lead with a penalty given and a kick to the corner, gave Dings an opportunity to execute their driving lineout which has proved effective throughout the season, with Caleb Bonello able to add to his seasons tally.
Dings momentum continued, with great defensive pressure initially on the scrum half and the resulting passes, saw Greg Welling collect the loose ball and show that his fast twitch fibres still function as he raced to the whitewash and make the kick easy for Elswood.
Pressure at the lineout, saw an overthrow where Bonello collected to run at the loose defence, feeding on the inside to O’Donnell whose awareness of Mack Hill in support, put the scrum half in to cap a great performance with a try. Elswood adding to the lead.
Dings increased their lead further, with a great Crossfield kick from Elswood, despite the conditions, to feed Sol Taufa who finished typically like a Polynesian and showing the strong relationship between the 10 and 11.
Midsomer Norton scored a couple of tries to reduce the score, however the four tries after half time was too much to recover and were unable to reduce the deficit to score a losing bonus point, which after the 1st half performance, would be deserved.
Dings Crusaders 48 – 34 Midsomer Norton
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