D-K 25 Dunstablians 14

DK's cruised clear of third placed "Dees" to secure second position at least in Midlands Division One and are now certain of at least a play off spot as they push for promotion.

DK had two enforced changes to their side, Layton Wilkinson replaced injured skipper Pete Knight at No 8 and Ollie Shakespeare came in for Ben Connett (work commitments) in the second row.

John White missed an early penalty opportunity to put the Dees ahead when Shaun Griffiths handled in the ruck but the visitors went ahead took the lead after eight minutes when they were gifted a try.

A poor defensive kick from DK's Andy McLellan was run back at the home side by Dee's Gerhard Swart who passed to scrum half Stuart Hall to run in an unconverted try and a 5-0 lead.

Stung into action DK hit back almost immediately.

Great foraging from Dan Chesham turned over Dee's ball for Gareth Davies to make a searing break through the centre, he handed on to Andy McLellan who atoned for his earlier error with an exquisite back flipped pass to Simon Fletcher that wrong footed the Dee's cover and enabled Fletcher to race in and score under the posts.

McLellan converted for 7-5 on 10 minutes, then, after more heavy home pressure the visitors Tom King was yellow carded and Andy McLellan landed the 19th minute penalty to stretch DK's lead to 10-5.

The Dee's were not about to rollover however and their fly half John White reduced the arrears to 10-8 after 37 minutes when the home side were penalised. Wilkinson was then yellow carded for blatant offside on 39 minutes and again White successfully kicked.

He them made three successive kicks in a matter of minutes to give them a 14-10 half time lead.

The return of Wilkinson finally allowed DK to put some concerted pressure on the opposition and this paid dividends on 54 minutes when Dees were penalised.

The hosts executed a perfect catch and drive from the penalty lineout for Dan Chesham to be driven over for an unconverted try to restore DK's lead at 15-14.

After failing to drive home their advantage DK had to defend a Dee's catch and drive on 72 minutes and were fortunate that John White narrowly missed a 76th minute penalty for the visitors. DK then battled their way back to the other end and two great consecutive tackles from Port forced Dees to give away a penalty under their own posts. McLellan converted it for DK to increase their lead to 18-14.

With nerves on edge DK finally made sure of the points with an excellent try in stoppage time.

A fine break from new wing Jon Shankland saw him round his man before feeding Davies on his inside, keeping up the momentum he found flanker James Bullock up in support who touched down under the posts.

McLellan converted and DK were home and dry.

DK have no league game next week but are hoping to arrange a fixture to maintain their momentum. Their next league fixture is against Scunthorpe (away) on Saturday 31st March. KO 3pm.

Line-up: McLellan, Francis, Fletcher, Davies, Gowland, Smith, Mitchell, Chesham, Blackford, Francis, Griffiths, Shakespeare, Langford, Bullock, Wilkinson.

Subs: Fallon, Port, Shankland