Taunton 18 Dings 16

as a poor match was continually disrupted by unforced errors from both sides that precluded any sustained periods of rugby.

Dings in particular looked flat footed and well out of sorts and although they lead for the majority of the match the little rugby that was played came from the home side who just about deserved the victory.

Dings took an early lead with three well struck penalties in the first quarter and centre Brett Turner added one for Taunton for a 9-3 lead to Dings on twenty four minutes. An interception by Woodrow for Dings and a couple of blindside breaks from Taunton man of the match scrum half Michael Pope were the nearest either side came to scoring in the first half that ended at 9-3 to Dings.

The second half opened with a try for Taunton in the first minute, a good take from the kick off was fed to Woodrow who inexplicably dropped the pass. From the ensuing scrum half Pope broke blind yet again to score in the corner. A Turner penalty four minutes later gave Taunton the lead for the first time 11-9.

Two yellow cards in quick succession for Taunton on the hour mark reduced the home side to thirteen men but Dings struggled to take advantage, eventually prop Josh Lloyd crashed over for a try converted by Woodrow to restore Dings lead at 16-11. Despite a period of pressure Dings failed to add to their score suffering particularly at the lineout which fell apart dramatically losing three on the trot in Taunton’s twenty two.

It was referee Jon Healy who had the last laugh with yet another dubious yellow this time for Dings hooker Dave Wheeler who along with flanker Stean Willianms were Dings best players, Taunton took full advantage with No 8 Greg Charlton bundling over from a ten metre scrum under posts with Turner adding the conversion for 18-16 to the home side with just five minutes left on the clock, Woodrow had a chance to win the game for Dings with a last kick long range penalty that went narrowly wide,

Rich Grant