Opening day delight for Dees

Both teams were relegated last season, with S&L getting the better of Dees on both occasions and had the brighter of the early exchanges this time too.

They opened the scoring on 10 minutes too, with an unconverted try, before moving 10-0 in front after crossing from a catch-and-drive routine.

Zach Bourne then replaced the injured Josh Klymyszyn at scrum-half, providing the youngster with his first-team debut.

Dees started to play some exciting rugby, as they were on the scoresheet when Bourne took a quick penalty, found Dave Tuffen who lured in the defence, creating space for Luke Ashton to dot down.

Pete Thompson slotted the conversion over making it 10-7 at the break.

Craig Pirotta and Nathan Dominique, who had both put in a hard-shift, were replaced by Chris Chandler and Ashley Warren as Dees came out strongly in the second period.

The hosts relentless pressure forced Lloyds into mistakes and a penalty saw Dunstablians level at 10-10 through Thompson.

However, Dees then took their foot off the gas and S&L were quickly back in front, as another unconverted score made it 15-10.

The Bidwell Boys refused to roll over though as Mattie Anderson recovered possession and set-up Toby Mead, who used his rapid pace to break away, with the ball eventually finding Warren to score.

Thompson converted, giving Dees a narrow 17-15 lead and they sealed victory late on as Will Hewitt went over, with Thompson successfully kicking the extras.

Dave Marshall’s side travel to Daventry this weekend.

Dees: T Mead, M Anderson, L Ashton, D Holmes, S Wilkins, P Thompson, J Klymyszyn, C Pirotta, D Tuffen, W Hewitt, R Cope, R Carry, A White (C), N Dominique, G Brinkley.

Subs: C Chandler, A Warren, Z Bourne.