DINGS CRUSADERS v Saturday 23rd March 2019

NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO SOUTH OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME DINGS www.dingscrusaders.co.uk CRUSADERS RFC

A CLUB WITH ITS HEART IN 1 Welcome

Today we extend a warm welcome to our old foes from across the city - Old Redcliffians, who will be keen to avenge the defeat earlier in the season at Scotland Lane. Reds arrive as the form team and have gained a point over us in the league table. I’m sure they will want to have a massive say in how today’s game turns out, in what will be their first official fixture at Shaftesbury Park.

I guess we are lucky in that this season we have had a number of true local derbies and not only does it stunt the amount of travelling we’re expected to do, but it also bring together players old and new who have enjoyed some pretty hard and tough games over the years. Hopefully, though, all of those games were played in the right spirit between the two respected clubs. While our minds think of those games over the years, there have been some comical incidents and some a little less humorous. From the time the fabled ‘Tootsie’ Warren was shunted off the ball in a last minute scrum for us to win the game, to the huge right hander that was launched into Dave Skuse’s face that provoked the fury of Janet, and then to the time Jake Lloyd won the first of his many Oscars in the performance when his namesake Gareth Lloyd was sent from the field. How video officiating has progressed - in those days we relied on the all seeing and all knowing Kevin Spencer to advise the referees of what occurred.

It was also a normal thing for players move between clubs, with Chris Turner and Mark and Alfie Cannock proving that the swap could be carried over with little or no fuss. Great days of long past memories but sadly some of those players no longer with us.

Our last game away at Tonbridge was a strange affair. The home team, who I thought were one of the better teams in the league, took the lead in the first-minute and then the Dings defence kicked in. A heroic performance meant that Juddians had to wait until the hour-mark before they breached our defence again - while we were down to 12 players, I might add - and had the referee been on the ball a bit n more and knew the law regarding the offside-line, then who knows what the final score may have been. But I have to say it was great game played in pretty good spirit. But we’re unlikely to win those games if we keep get yellow cards and swimming against the tide against very good sides.

Elsewhere the rugby seems to have taken a bit of a break. crying off last week meant the mighty Poos went without a game for the umpteenth time this season. I am informed by the powers that be, though, that there are plans for some form of short competition for the last five weeks of the season so watch this space.

So back to todays crucial game for both teams as they attempt to put some more space between themselves and the bottom three-teams, Let’s hope it’s a good game and a home win!

So C’mon on you Dings boys…

Steve Lloyd

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A CLUB WITH ITS HEART IN BRISTOL 3 Welcome to Old Redcliffians RFC

We extend a warm welcome this afternoon to our visitors Old Redcliffians and hope that all players, officials and supporters enjoy their visit to our Shaftesbury Park ground. Founded in 1918 Reds were promoted to National Two South 2016-17 and in their first season last term they finished twelfth with nine wins and fifty eight points including a fabulous final game of the season home win 34-12 over Redruth when the pressure was really on in a relegation battle, brilliant. With just five games to go this season Reds sit one point above us with both sides probably needing a couple more wins to stave off the in-form Birmingham for the last relegation spot so today’s victors will take a huge step towards safety. Recent results have seen Reds win just one in their last five games with the win 23-15 at home to Barnes and losses away at Bury St Edmonds 7-57, at Rams 15-31 and at Guernsey 17-24 and at home to Tonbridge 24-40. Reds currently have the ascendency over Dings in recent league encounters with all four meetings in going to our visitors including two when they won the league in 2016-17 and we were runners up. However we did win earlier this season 32-13 in a fiercely fought contest at Scotland Lane. Good luck to both sides may the best team win and all spectators committed or neutral enjoy entertaining afternoon’s rugby. DINGS Sponsorship benefits us all! CRUSADERS RFC If you are interested in sponsorship or Tel: 07971 690071 supporting the club in any other way please [email protected] contact Tim Gear-Evans for further information

NATIONAL LEAGUE TWO SOUTH MATCH DAY SPONSORS P W D L Pts Rams 25 23 0 2 114 Canterbury 25 20 0 5 102 Henley 25 20 0 5 98 Tonbridge Juddians 25 20 1 4 95 Taunton 25 17 0 8 88 Redruth 25 12 1 12 62 Old Albanian 25 11 1 13 59 Bury St Edmunds 25 10 2 13 59 Clifton 25 9 1 15 57 Barnes 25 9 1 15 51 Worthing 25 8 2 15 51 Old Redcliffians 25 8 0 17 48 Dings Crusaders 25 9 0 16 47 Birmingham & Solihull 25 8 1 16 38 Guernsey 25 5 0 20 33 PROUD TO BE SPONSORING DINGS RFC Wild Geese 25 6 0 19 32

4 DINGS CRUSADERS RFC DINGS CRUSADERS v OLD REDCLIFFIANS

BLUE & BLACK HOOPS RED & BLACK

15 Jordan Grattan Full Back Craig Owen 15 Quick Lane Tyres 14 Josh Trinham Wing Henry Bird 14 Mike Phillips 13 Matt Smith Centre Jermaine Jones 13 Hills Electrical South West Ltd 12 Marcus Brooker Centre Christian Gervais 12 Stan Thatcher 11 Harry Tovey Wing James Clements 11 First Steps Soccer 10 Luke Arscott Stand Off Kieran Hill 10 Schneider Electric 9 Steve Plummer Scrum Half Kiyan 9 Dave Baker 1 Ray Chase Prop Alex Harvey 1 Steve Weymouth Carpentry 2 Joe Hawkesby Hooker Kieran Ward 2 CDE Services 3 Ash Challenger Prop Jake Caulfield 3 Ink’d Kreations 4 Olly Bilton Lock Chris Pursall 4

5 Gavin Curry Lock Corey Talbot 5 Alpine Care Homes 6 Michele Canulli Flanker Scott Parsons 6 Peter Williams 7 Stean Williams Flanker Scott Coster 7 UKS 8 Jake Holcombe No 8 Dan Fry 8 The Crown 16 James Hall Replacement Ellis Joseph 16 Trojan Fitness 17 Tom Anderson Replacement George Kloska 17 The Biltong Company Ltd 18 Tom Knight Replacement Harley Foley 18 Igloo Developments 19 Connor Swan Replacement Ash Groves 19

20 Ian Clark Replacement Aaron Rice 20 Premier Groundwork Solutions

Referee – Richard Houghton / Touch Judge – Michael Malroy / Touch Judge – Mark Doran

A CLUB WITH ITS HEART IN BRISTOL 5 A Picture From The Past

Six minutes into injury time at the end of the 1974 Old Redcliffi ans, meanwhile, were in fi ne form Bristol Combination Knock-out Cup fi nal at the in their semi-fi nal and had a 25 points lead at Memorial Ground, fl y-half Gerald Williams kicked a half-time against Saracens, but could score three match-winning conversion to give Dings Crusaders points after the interval, as they won 28-5. Steve a 15 points to 13 victory over long-standing rivals Lancastle (2), Mike Lawrence and Keith Warren Old Redcliffi ans, to win the “Combination Cup” for scored tries for Old Reds, and captain Norman the fi rst time in their history. This photograph from Ridgeway kicked two penalty goals and converted the game includes; Alan Ferris, Sam Stride, John three tries. Thorne, Richard Hook, Rich Grant, Paul Lloyd and The tense fi nal, played in front of a 2,000 crowd, Pete Mitchell. developed into a real thriller in the second half. Dings route to the fi nal began with a 2nd round At the interval it was 6pts-6pts courtesy of two 25-13 away victory over Bishopston, who were at penalties for Gerald Williams for Dings and two the time of the match leaders of the Green ‘Un from Norman Ridgeway. Keith Warren scored Merit Table. North Bristol were beaten in the next a second-half try, then Ridgeway kicked a third round by 26 points to 9, whilst Ashley Down were penalty to push Old Reds lead to 13pts-6 in the despatched 42-6 in the quarter-fi nal at . 57th minute. Gerald Williams notched a penalty The semi-fi nal against Keynsham proved to be a for Dings, and following a heel against the head sterner test for the blue and blacks, but according by Steve Butcher, back-row forward John Thorne to Charlie Murphy, in his Evening Post report, crashed over for a last gasp try to level the scores. “Dings certainly deserved their 14 points to 6 Then came Gerald Williams conversion to give victory over Keynsham. Geoff Darby and Gerald Dings Crusaders the victory, and the trophy, Williams went over for tries, and Sammy Stride received by captain Richard Hook from the broke from a scrum to drop a goal and also kicked RFU president, Cyril Gardner. a penalty.

6 DINGS CRUSADERS RFC Oracle for ‘Old Reds’

Games don’t come any bigger than this, Ian Without wishing to sound like those who Haddrell recalls ‘THE Big Game’ elsewhere in this constantly say, the old days were better; I do programme, and what a game it was, so I won’t think we have lost some of the camaraderie dwell on it, I’ll leave it to him. that playing in the Combination brought. Yes However, back in the day pre-leagues, if you were the standard of rugby we play is higher than worth your salt and had any ambition, there ever now, and certainly the distances we travel were three or four clubs against who you always are further. Clubs like Reds and us have grown wanted to play and, if picked, it was a privilege. out of a desire to give anyone of any ability an They were St. Mary’s, Avonmouth, Bristol opportunity to play our wonderful game at the Harlequins and our guests today, Old Reds. The appropriate level. How sad it is that our seconds league set up hasn’t treated all of those sides and thirds find it difficult to find fixtures, with gently; we now only play Reds at first XV level. even National League One sides crying off at the last moment. I’m not wittering on here for the It is true to say that in those days friendships love of it; my point is that the grass roots of the were struck with your opposition, and there was game are suffering. We read constantly that the always a mutual respect for your opponents as RFU, along with the other Six Nation countries well as a deep-seated desire to win and be top are thinking of selling a chunk of the action to dog for the year. From my time, names come to an equity company. Ticket prices at Twickers are the fore such as Tootsy Warren, Alan Lancastle, astronomical. Many clubs are paying players way Mike Lawrence (the man with the longest arms over their ability and to do so, the lower levels in rugby) Pete Sherman and of course Ernie are not being nurtured. Perhaps this where a Collins. Our own legends, Colin ‘Allez’ Kimmins, good chunk of the extra cash should go. We must Roy Phibben, Johnny Shep and others spring always remember, not everyone has the ability to mind. I well remember the day when Roy to play for the first-team; we must ensure that Phibben launched his infamous shoulder charge there is an opportunity to stream through for and broke Pete Sherman’s collar bone, or when our improving players, whilst offering a game to Lopey Lawrence collected a pass on his own line others. Moan over. and scored under the posts at the other end. But I think one of my fondest memories is of Did anyone see Bristol’s win over Saints? Why Ernie Collins holding tightly to the ball in a maul on earth didn’t the referee award a penalty try whilst a young Pete Hilliar jumped up and down and save a lot of time and disciplinary panels. grunting and grimacing as he tried unsuccessfully Big game for The Bears today versus Worcester to wrench the ball from Ernie’s grasp. The referee - come on Bris! blew up and Ernie threw the ball to Pete and Today is a massive game for both us and said, “There Pete, feel better now?” I recall the Reds, as it should be. We took the honours at evening Dings and Reds met in an under 23- Scotland Lane, and today we welcome our old game. After the match we then met in the bar adversaries for their first visit to Shaftesbury room Olympics. Our touch judge Jim Batten won Park. As welcome as they are we hope they don’t the high kick competition. I think Gary Peters enjoy the experience too much. We really are at then won the bottle walking, but the event of the the business end of the season now with every evening was the arm wrestling. Up for Dings was fixture being a must win! Chris Turner - for Reds a young Gareth Chillcott. Anyway, back to today… Best of three was the order of the day. Gareth, full of youthful Bravado grunted and groaned - Come on you boys, shove ‘em the veins on his neck bulging and sweat pouring down his face. Chris cool as a cucumber, quietly up the M32. puffing away on a fag won the contest three nil. Gareth was unaware Chris was a scaffolder!

A CLUB WITH ITS HEART IN BRISTOL 7 Player Profi le: Steve Plummer

Name: Steve Plummer Other sport if not rugby: American Football, Position: 9, 10, Flanker because of the hits! Height: 5’ 9” Favourite drink: 10 Rude Boys. Weight: 80kg Favourite food: Double chicken breast wrap with piri-piri chips, a mixed leaf salad, a large Nicknames: Plum, Peebs, Plum Coin chicken magic roll with hot chilli sauce and a Rugby honours: Gloucestershire County, spinach and feta pastry. Gloucester County Cup Winner & MOM, Favourite Film: Batman: The Dark Knight. Bristol Combination Cup Winner, National 2 South POW, South West Premier Champions Last fi lm you watched: Draft Day. 2017, Scoop’s Troops Team of the Year. Ideal date: A Sunday daytime walk on Date you joined Dings: 2009 (I think) Minchinhampton common with 10-20 GSD’s. Favourite player: Jake-Harry Holcombe-Tovey. The funniest thing that has happened to you on a rugby fi eld:Realising that Ashley And why? The combination of speed, power, Challenger doesn’t actually have a “fanny”. height, weight, good looks, long ginger hair and pale skin. Your favourite car: Ferrari Italia 458 Red.

PHOTOGRAPHS INCLUDING FRONT COVER COURTESY OF JOHN WHITE MEDIA