Depleted Dunstablians fall to Northampton Casuals defeat

A swathe of absences and injuries, compounded by some last minute drop-outs, saw Dunstablians field a much-changed team as they were beaten 17-5 at fellow Counties One Midlands East (South) strugglers Northampton Casuals on Saturday.

From the start, the hosts made clear their intent to get the ball wide at every opportunity, but a combination of scrambled tackles and handling errors prevented them from scoring in the first few minutes.

With unforced errors nullifying Casuals’ efforts to get the ball through the hands, Dees were growing into the game.

After this initial burst however, the momentum slowly swung toward the visitors, with a thunderous tackle from flanker Nate Dominique ended the Casuals’ rampaging No.8’s afternoon.

The forward battle was keenly contested, Dees having slightly better of the exchanges, though a solid Casuals’ defence held firm against a determined battering, debutant Jamie McEwen in particular making some bruising runs.

Although Northampton initially soaked up the pressure, the relentless onslaught eventually led to captain and scrum-half Michael Morris squirming through the defence to touch down out wide.

Soon after the restart, hooker Nathan Aris was forced from the field after a late hit, replaced by Michael Tearle-Reed, the young front-rower having been a permanent fixture in the squad this season.

Casuals persisted with their attempts to penetrate the Dees defence out wide but, for the most part, their handling did not match their ambitions and the half descended into a forward tussle in the midfield with neither side able to gain a clear advantage.

Dunstablians still appeared to be in the box seat and another debutant, second row Will Bryan, was beginning to show his prowess in the air with both lineouts and scrums providing a steady stream of clean ball for the hastily assembled Dees backline.

The visitors went into the break still leading 5-0, the only opportunity to extend their lead having been a penalty from fly-half Zach Bourne which drifted wide.

The second period began in much the same fashion as the first had ended, with both teams struggling to make their mark on the game, however, 10 minutes in, a loose pass saw Casuals fly-hack the ball through and it was deemed to have been touched down over the line.

With their tails now up, the hosts’ handling finally clicked into place and Dees were caught too narrow in defence as Casuals added a second and third try, a conversion putting the Northampton side 12 points ahead.

Charlie Bailey, in only his second year of rugby, in his second game at flanker and on his first team debut, exemplified the gritty attitude, prolific in both defence and attack.

Winger Sean Aris almost grabbed a consolation only to be held up just short of the line as Dees host Oakham this weekend.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​