Dees held by Northampton Old Scouts

The hosts had started well, but Old Scouts held firm and forced Gavin Denning into touch metres from the line.

Territory and possession finally told as Joe Murphy opted for a drop-goal to open the scoring on seven minutes, but Scouts took heart from their defensive effort.

Northampton drew level with a penalty and they were ahead soon afterwards in dubious circumstances with a try in the left hand corner as the official appeared to miss three infringements in a matter of seconds.

Scouts’ continued pressure paid off just before the half-hour mark as a catch-and-drive lineout was impeccably executed as they registered their second try.

With the conversion missed, Dees had five minutes before half time to get back into the game, which they did through Murphy’s penalty.

With the introduction of Kevin Boland at half time at full-back, Dees came out a different side. It took a little over five minutes for them to carve out their first real opportunity as Boland made a clinical break down the left and fed left wing Jordan Warner 35m out, who sprinted over the line.

Murphy added the straightforward conversion and the scores were tied at 13-13 with 30 minutes to go.

Despite looking the livelier of the two sides, Dees couldn’t take their opportunities count. Breaks from Boland, Campbell Haig and Gavin Denning were almost too good, with their support always too late to the breakdown as they had to settle for a share of the spoils.

This weekend, Dunstablians visit Oadby Wyggestonians.