Somtimes Dings dont go the way you want them too.

Sometimes Dings Don’t Go The Way You Want Them Too!

It was warmer than fur lined collar at the mighty Cribbs stadia this weekend, where the eagerly awaited clash between Clifton Wanderers and local rivals Dings Knights was on the agenda.

The Wanderers team had again had been given a “Kutti” shuffle from the original line up but was indeed bolstered by the arrival of some back row, after playing the Avonmouth fixture with backs gamely filling the spaces and doing a manful job.
I was pleased to see an enlarged crowd for a Wanderers game with a number of Mums and Dads and Girlfriends, enjoying the afternoon’s combat in the no less than Caribbean sunshine. There were plenty of Dings Supporters also which made for some convivial banter throughout the matinee.
The Wanderers started brightly, especially a rust free John Levis, a liberal dousing of WD40 got him match ready, even his boots were dust free for an afternoon at 6, allied with some strong running from Dave Massey in the centre.

Early doors some good inroads were made and an early score looked on the cards, and sure enough it was the well oiled Levis who went over following some nice handling and support work to open the account. Four minutes gone and its business as usual! But then disaster Skipper Allen "the boot" Williams , hit a speed bump, and suffered a recurrence of a calf strain and was forced to leave the field. No Johnny Wilkinson clinic this week! On went Ally McClean to take over at 15 for the balance of afternoon.
It seemed as if a higher power had said to the Dings Boys OK you can start playing now and following a dubious midfield tackle on Rob Penhale and a bit of Marquess of Queensbury stuff , They upped their game and started to show disregard for the Wanderers players. 5 - 0 soon bcame 5 - 14 and then an interception on the edge of the 22 by the WD40 lubricated Levis saw the good guys come back to 10 - 14 with 36 mins played. Just before the half however some woeful cotton wool tackling allowed Dings another score and we went for our oranges 10 -21 down.

The second half started as the first had ended with Those Dings scoring and the Clifton lads forgetting how to tackle or keep ball, The game as far as our lads were concerned at this point was over and it appeared a few heads began to drop. Structure seemed to go out of the window and we saw players trying solo efforts to beat the dings defence, chips over the top, gallant charges at their line, It was reminiscent of General Haig's approach in ww1!

We did manage to score again though through Reuben Caven, who nearly forgot what happens once you cross the line, it felt like an age before the ball was finally dotted down. But the damage was done and the Wands suffered the first loss of the season to a well put together Dings side.

I understand there are a few players unavailable next week however the boys must pick themselves up for the trip to the forrest to take on Cinderford. If they play as they have in previous games it should prove to be an enjoyable and thrilling encounter.
I think I will jump on the old Charabanc and venture over and watch the proceedings. See you there?

Touchline Tarquin.