Dees pay the price for switching off

The hosts started the brighter of the two sides, as they scored a brace of penalties, giving them an early 6-0 lead.

Dees piled on the pressure and look to get themselves on the scoreboard as they utilised the strength and power of Tom Evans, who fought off two challenges before breaking into the space and crashing over to make it 6-5 as the conversion was missed.

St Andrews extended their lead to 9-5 after slotting another penalty, as they held the advantage going into the interval.

Similarly to the first period, it was the hosts who came out stronger and were first to score as their relentless pressure resulted in a converted try for 16-5.

It didn’t take long for Dave Marshall’s side to respond, though, as Aaron White-Martinez gave his side hope once again, touching down after good play from Campbell Haig, with Kevin Boland’s conversion making it 16-12.

Despite being in touching distance of the lead, Dees switched off for a five-minute period, which proved costly.

A number of defensive errors from the visitors saw the home side score two converted tries in quick succession to move 30-12 in front.

With very little time to overturn the hefty deficit, the Bidwell Boys look to adapt their tactics and play through the hands to suit the windy conditions.

This proved to be effective, as Luke Ashton added to his impressive personal tally, the outside-centre crossing for Boland’s boot to bring them back to 30-19 behind.

Ashton demonstrated his swift footwork once again minutes later, as he cut open the opposition defence and put Boland through for another converted try at 30-26.

The ground fell silent as Dees pushed for the all-important score in the dying seconds of the game.

However, they were unable to snatch the win, as the hosts regained possession and kicked to touch to bring the game to a close.

This weekend, Dees play host to struggling St Ives (Midlands).

Dees: T Mead, S Warren, L Ashton, C Haig, D Holmes; K Boland, S Hall; T. Holliman, G Updale, C Chandler, G Brinkley, R Carry, A White-Martinez, A Warren, T Evans.

Subs: R Thorne, W Hewitt, M Anderson.