Westall and Jones missing for Dings

Points machine Adam Westall has joined half-back partner Ricky Jones on the sidelines ahead of Dings Crusaders' West Country derby at Bridgwater & Albion tomorrow in National Division Three South (3pm), writes Matt Cain.

Jones broke his leg in the Gloucestershire Cup defeat to Coney Hill a week last Wednesday, while Westall was forced off at half-time in the 19-15 loss to Chinnor in the league last weekend with a rib problem.

The loss of Westall is a huge blow to Dings's top four aspirations – with the former Lydney fly-half second in the division's point-scoring charts with 178 from 30 conversions, 30 penalties, a drop goal and five tries.

Director of rugby Alan Martinovic said: "Losing Adam is a massive blow. He has scored more points this season than some of the top kickers in National Division Two. We're not sure how long he will be out. We don't think there is a break or a fracture. But he won't play this week. We will have to see how he goes next week."

Versatile back Neil Dipple continues in the No 9 shirt while former RGS High Wycombe and Wasps Academy playmaker Tom Lukjaniec wins his Dings debut.

Lukjaniec joined the club at the start of the season but his involvement with the Lockleaze outfit has been restricted by his rugby commitments at the University of Bath.

Dings have also been forced to make a late change after hooker Ollie Hayes was withdrawn by Bristol. He is set to be involved in tomorrow's Guinness Premiership derby at Bath.

Dave Wheeler, who was on the bench originally, now starts in the No 2 shirt, with teenager Adam Chaplin among the replacements.

"We are pretty stretched when it comes to the first-team squad. We are a bit thin on the ground in certain positions," added Martinovic.

"Dings cannot go out and buy people and we have passed the deadline for signing players from other clubs anyway.

"We are fortunate that Adam has only missed one game so far. Ricky Jones was maturing quite nicely – but in the space of two matches we have lost them both.

"It will have a huge impact on the team – these players control the play and structures – but we cannot go into a corner and feel sorry for ourselves. We have to fight and see what we can achieve."

Martinovic is urging Dings to eradicate the mistakes which have littered their game and start kicking their goals as they go in search of their third away with this season in Somerset.

He added: "The fact is that if you don't kick your penalties from 10 metres in front of the sticks then you won't win your matches.

"Having said that, we are making far too many individual errors. We cannot keep relying on Adam to kick the points.

"We have to keep these errors to an absolute minimum and look after the ball better."