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Winning run ends
Poor first half performance does for Dees
Newark 12 Dunstablians 5
Dunstablians' winning streak came to an abrupt end against Newark on Saturday, as they lost their Midlands One East encounter 12-5.
With three wins on the bounce, Dees' confidence was high, but it failed to show in a poor first half performance.
Captain Joe Murphy said: "In the first half we found it difficult to get ourselves into the game, we couldn't get any continuity because of basic errors and penalties at the ruck area.
"The second half was a big improvement but we have to play our game for the full 80 minutes.
"Next week will be a big test at home to Old Northamptonians and, if we play the way we did in the second half for the full game, I'm confident we will get back to winning ways."
Too many basic errors and penalties cost Dees dear, especially in the opening 40 minutes.
Newark opened the scoring after 15 minutes when a catch-and-drive move allowed them to touch down for a converted try.
A torrid time for Dees followed as they conceded six penalties in succession, with captain Joe Murphy being warned that the next infringement would result in a yellow card.
And sure enough brother Ben Murphy was sin-binned when he killed the ball after a swift Newark counter-attack.
The hosts took full advantage of their numerical advantage and, after another drive from a lineout had sucked Dees in, they spread the ball wide and, despite a brave last-ditch tackle from Scott Warren, his opposite number managed to off-load the ball to his support for an unconverted try in the corner to make it 12-0 at the break.
Dees played with much more intensity and efficiency after the break and, with the wind at their backs, they were able to pin Newark back in their own half with some clever kicking.
A great counter-attack from Joe Murphy then just failed to get Dees on the board, Dees' captain broke through the home defence just 20 yards from his own line, before kicking ahead.
Newark failed to deal with it properly and great support play from George Jenkins saw him hack on for Joe Murphy, who was finally stopped just yards from the Newark line.
The hosts responded and almost scored out wide, but were denied by a great covering tackle from Stuart Webb.
Fresh legs gave Dees some impetus, as young flanker Ashley Stackhouse made his debut.
Dees then gave themselves hope when they finally breached Newark's defence with 10 minutes left.
The Bedfordshire side's forwards made good ground and, although Ben Murphy came up just short of the line, Ashley Jenkinson was on hand to dive over the line for an unconverted try.
However, Dees couldn't find an equalising score, and they will be looking to get back to winning ways this week when they entertain Old Northamptonians.
Dees: 1 George Jenkins, 2 Ben Murphy, 3 Simon George, 4 Cameron Nicholls, 5 James Noel, 6 Kelvin Frost, 7 Andy Champ, 8 Scott Oliver, 9 Ashley Warren, 10 Gerhard Swart, 11 Scott Warren, 12 Haydn Annand, 13 Stuart Webb, 14 Phil Stock, 15 Joe Murphy.
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Weather for Luton
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
