Dees emerge victorious against Lutterworth

Lutterworth started brightly as they capitalised on some of the lineout issues that Dee’s had experienced the week before but the home side’s defence was water tight.

Dunstablians rode out the early storm and when they simplified their lineout they were able to put some structure to the gameplan as Sam Coogan broke from the maul and jinked his way to the try line only to be hauled down agonisingly short.

Quick ball saw an overlap at their mercy and a try on the cards, only for poor handling in the back line to let Dees down at the crucial time.

The hosts broke the deadlock midway through the half as Danny Mills confidently slotted a 30 metre penalty.

Only minutes later the visitors were back on equal terms as Dees looked to have snubbed out an enterprising attack in their 22 only to be adjudged offside.

As half time approached, Coogan made another superb break and Kevin Boland’s kick and chase yielded a second successful penalty for Mills plus a yellow card for Lutterworth due to repeated infringements at the breakdown.

Despite being a man down, Lutterworth levelled matters at half time as Dee’s gifted them a penalty for some pointless crossing in their own 22.

The second period was different as Dees attacked from the outset and Mills almost had another penalty, but his effort hit the post.

A Lutterworth player tried to run the ball out of defence but his offload spilled forward and Dees capitalised.

Murphy kicked wide, Mills gathered but was held up a metre short, while Matt Knight hit up the middle and from the quick ruck, Murphy’s pass found Jordan Warner sprinting over for a well crafted try.

The home side continued to dominate and the lively Mills had a further break down the left, but he then saw red for a moment of madness as he lashed out at an opponent, while Lutterworth were reduced to 14 with a yellow card for retaliation.

With the handbags over, the hosts’ back row continued to impress as Ashley Warren’s tackle count rose, although his side were almost too keen at the breakdown as they were penalised several times.

Joe Murphy then capped a fine return to action with a snaking run from 25 metres out to score under the posts and with his conversion and a penalty they were a comfortable three scores ahead at 21-6.

Lutterworth returned to their full compliment of staff and tried in vain to cut the arrears but too many errors had crept into their game, as Dees held them at arm’s length until the final minutes.

The visitors finally made their number advantage tell as they ran in on the left for a consolation converted try but they were a point short of claiming a losing bonus point.

Next week, Dees entertain Dunlop at Bidwell Park in the second round of the Intermediate Cup.

Dees: Stuart Calder, Aaron White, Shaun Mangan, Matthew Knight, Raymond Carry, Sam Coogan, Robert Thorne, Tom Evans, Stuart Hall, Joe Murphy, Danny Mills, Campbell Haig, Scott Warren, Jordan Warner, Kevin Boland

Replacements: James Noel, Ashley Warren, Gavin Denning.