This past Saturday, April 5th, 2025, Shaftesbury Park in Bristol played host to an unforgettable clash between Dings Crusaders and Leicester Lions in a high-octane National League 1 encounter. Under bright blue skies and unusually warm spring sunshine—temperatures hit a stunning 20°C—the scene was perfectly set for both rugby and photography.
Match Recap: Dings Edge Lions in a Breathless Encounter
The match kicked off with the Lions making an early statement, controlling the set piece and drawing first blood via a 7th-minute penalty from Luke Bouchier. But Dings Crusaders answered swiftly—Tomas Gwilliam crashed over from a well-worked 5m lineout, and George Boulton slotted the conversion.
The first half was a back-and-forth showcase of attacking flair. Jordan Tebbatt dotted down for the visitors, followed by another bulldozing try from Gwilliam. Deago Bailey’s converted effort looked to give Dings some breathing space, but Arthur Allen’s score on the stroke of halftime kept the Lions in it at 21-18.
The second half didn’t let up. Tommy Foot and Joe Jenkins each crossed the line for Dings, while Leicester answered through Jamel Hamilton and Malelili Satala-Navlivou. A Boulton penalty and a second from Hamilton set up a tense finale.
Then came the turning point: Bouchier was sent to the bin for a deliberate knock-on. Dings capitalized, with Max Rivers powering over just minutes from time. Despite a late rally and Bouchier’s boot keeping the scoreboard ticking, Dings held on for a thrilling 41-39 victory—securing their place in National League 1 for another season.
The Perfect Day for Rugby Photography
From a photographer’s perspective, days like this don’t come often in early April. The weather was a gift—glorious sunshine beaming across Shaftesbury Park, minimal cloud cover, and soft shadows that gave the images depth without the need for aggressive post-processing. Conditions were nothing short of ideal for capturing fast-paced rugby action.
Using professional Nikon equipment, I was able to track the flow of the match with precision and consistency. The sharpness and clarity of each frame allowed me to freeze key moments—crunching tackles, airborne dives across the try line, and the raw emotion that followed every score.
One of the standout sequences from the day came in the dying minutes: Max Rivers crashing over for the winning try. The golden light illuminated the turf as it flew up around him, with teammates charging in behind—an image that perfectly encapsulated the passion and drama of the afternoon.
Beyond the action, the atmosphere was equally important to document. From the fans packed around the pitch to the animated coaches on the sidelines, every corner of Shaftesbury Park was alive with energy. Even the small moments—like young supporters leaning over the barriers, faces painted, wide-eyed—helped tell the full story of a brilliant rugby afternoon.
Looking to License Images or Book a Photographer?
f you’re a club, player, sponsor, or publication looking for professional, high-resolution rugby photography from this match—or future events—please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Based in Bristol, I’m a dedicated sports photographer with a passion for capturing grassroots, semi-professional, and elite-level rugby across the UK.
I offer tailored galleries, image licensing, and full-match coverage for clubs and media outlets. Whether it’s local league action or international fixtures, I bring a documentary-style approach that focuses on emotion, movement, and storytelling—both on and off the pitch.