Ding’s Crusaders v Barnstaple Chiefs match roundup

Ouch that one hurt as Ding’s most definitely brought their ‘A’ game to this one and the Chiefs beaten on another road trip 48-24. The highlights soon but before all that just want to thank Dryrobe for their massive support they have given to the club and the outstanding product they have which you can purchase from their site https://dryrobe.com/

So Barnstaple headed off on their shortest journey of the campaign just a mere 2 hours to face a Ding’s side that have had their ups and downs so far this season and as it turned out this was most definitely an up day for them. It took 16 minutes before anyone scored and first blood went to Ding’s after a sustained series of scrums resulting in penalties each time and a yellow for the Chiefs finally saw dings score through their no.8 off the scrum for their first. However some sustained pressure from the Chiefs resulted in first a penalty about 10 minutes later and then a back to fifteen men a try for Winston, yes he’s back to where he left off from last season, driving in from less than a yard out after the Chiefs kept pressing with a succession of pick and go’s, which gave the Chiefs the lead at 7-10. Then it seems the wheels just came off as almost immediately a penalty and then 2 tries in as many minutes in the last couple of minutes of the half, the home side left the park at half time 22-10 up.

The second half started with Ding’s increasing their lead after just a minute when as Barnstaple pressed with some good rugby Ding’s intercepted a pass to run it in and extend their lead, now the Chiefs turn it was birthday boy Will Topps who scored from a pick and go at the base of the ruck to squeeze the ball over to close the gap to 29-17 and a glimmer of hope that a cracking second half performance might just wrestle this game back. The disaster as three tries including a penalty try and two yellows for the Chiefs in 15 minutes sealed the game for Ding’s. Down to 14 men the Chiefs still kept their heads up and played their rugby which rewarded Mitch Turner with his first of the season but with just a minute left it was not enough to earn the Chiefs any bonus points.

So there you have it another loss on the road but the performance not as bad as the score line would suggest, but the Chiefs really need to start getting some bonus points from somewhere even if it’s to reward all their good work. At least they have a week off next week to reflect then it’s off to Herefordshire and Old Albanians. The Chiefs are at home to Leicester Lions, another tough match, on November 20th and remember kick off times have changed as this one will be 2pm as will all subsequent kick offs until the clocks are back to summer time.

Photos by Derek Parnell you can see more from this game on the Barnstaple Rugby facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BarnstapleRFC