Ruddock run-in is enough to down Dings…
Dings C …5
Barnes …10
BARNES made it three wins in a row with a workmanlike performance against Dings Crusaders at Shaftesbury Park.
The home side could have few complaints about the result with the visitors on top for the majority of the game.
Crusaders seldom ventured into the visitors 22 in a mistake-riddled display that was enhanced by the freak, artic-like weather conditions.
Barnes themselves didn’t offer much as an attacking force, but they tackled their hearts out and repeatedly forced Dings to play from deep. Barnes flanker Ciaran Smyth opened the scoring in the eighth minute after he was bundled over from a driving maul for an unconverted try.
Another promising-looking Barnes attack was then picked off by Dings wing Tom Hargan, who intercepted and raced in from 80 metres to level the scores. Neither side was able to get over the advantage line and the second half was by and large a forgettable stalemate full of handling errors and balls kicked out on the full.
Barnes retook the lead on 55 minutes when wing Daniel Ruddock bounced off a would-be defender to touch down for an unconverted try.
Dings huffed and puffed but lacked the guile and cutting edge needed to unlock the Londoners’ defence, who held on for an impressive and muchdeserved victory.
TEAMS
DINGS CRUSADERS: Gratten, Hargan, Smith, Brooker, Tovey, Plummer, Tuttiett, Chase, Anderson, Challenger, Sheriff, Curry, Nowell, Knight, Canulli Replacements: Hawkesby, Hall, Wright, Tooth, Polledri
BARNES: O’Toole, Martie, Cornish, Van Buuren, Ruddock, Hammett, Franklin, Hunter, Garrett, Ryan, Seabright, Steele, Van der Poel, Smythe, Hind Replacements: Broaden, Cox, Collins, Wakeling, Wicks
REFEREE: Benjamin Russell
ATTENDANCE: 321
Star man
Ray Chase – Dings Crusaders
