Taniela Bakoso scored four tries for Shelford against Dings Crusaders (Pic: Cat Goryn)

Shelford 34 - 9 Dings Crusaders

A MONTH is a long time in Rugby.

On December 17, Shelford lost 21-24 to Southend, their sixth successive National 2S defeat. It was a result which meant Dick Matthews’ men went into the Christmas break looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation zone.

Fast forward to January 2012 and three successive wins have lifted the mood at the Davey Field.

This commanding win over a struggling Dings Crusaders side should leave no-one at the club in any doubt that they can secure a top-ten finish this term.

Matthews has always maintained that if Shelford can get their strongest side on the pitch they’ll give anyone a game. And it can be no coincidence that the return of skipper Nigel Conroy, centre Grant Anderson, and number eight Aki Lea has coincided with their upturn in fortunes.

And in Pecali Nacamavuto and four-try Taniela Bakoso, they have the pace and finishing power needed to convert opportunities when they come their way.

Shels were without Rupert Ransom, who has enjoyed an impressive season to date, but John Halls came in to join Dane Grey in the second row and performed admirably.

And although Dings took an early lead through Mitch Burton’s second minute penalty, the home side soon took charge.

A sweeping move from left to right in the fifth minute, which started with Halls making an impressive claim at a line-out, led to Anderson feeding Bakoso, who dived over in the corner.

Harry Owens notched the conversion, and soon had another chance to do so when quick hands from James Grabowski and Grey worked the ball on to Bakoso, who helped himself to a second try. However this time Owens’ kick spun back in the wind and bounced off the bar.

Another Burton penalty kept Dings in touch, but the home crowd were on their feet on again in the 27th minute as Nacamavuto intercepted just inside the 22 and helped the ball on to Bakoso. Although he was stopped in his tracks he managed to off-load to Anderson who scored with ease. Owens’ conversion made it 19-6.

The second half might not have been so comfortable for Shelford had Dings taken one of two great chances to score just before the break.

First Sheldon Stevens fumbled the ball into touch when he appeared to have a clear run to the try-line, then Marcus Brooker broke clear of a couple of tackles 10 metres out, but opted to pass when he should have continued towards the posts and saw his team-mate crowded out by a gaggle of defenders. A Burton penalty was scant reward for their late pressure.

Nacamavuto’s try in the 47th minute put the result beyond doubt, as he sold a Dings defender an outrageous dummy before scoring under the posts.

Bakoso then completed his hat-trick after a good spell of pressure from the Shels forwards, and notched a fourth in the final minute, profiting from good play from Halls.