Dunstablians snatch victory with last-gasp Thompson drop-goal

Dunstablians returned to winning ways with a narrow 18-15 home win over Oadby Wyggestonians at Bidwell Hill in Midlands Two East South on Saturday.

Kicking into the sun and against the slight wind Dees were put under some early pressure as Oadby used the conditions in their favour to pin Dees back in their own half.

And the away side broke through Dees’ defence after five minutes to score an unconverted try wide on the left.

Dees responded as they started to keep possession, while the scrum and lineout worked well with returning hooker Alex Ayres managing to disrupt and win scrums against the head.

Talented youngster Jack Brampston played in a number of roles during the day and, between himself and Rob Thorne, clean ball was gained from the lineout.

Oadby proceeded to concede a number of penalties as Dees work their way closer to the line, with returning full-back Joe Murphy finding his range with his first attempt at goal to make it 5-3.

The hosts then scored a well-deserved try as they attacked deep in the Oadby half as the forwards kept the ball tight to make ground.

The ball was then released to fly-half Pete Thompson, who saw the space out wide, and delivered a well weighted chip for Jack Brampston on the wing, who did well to evade two defensive tackles as he touched down in the corner with Murphy adding the extras.

Oadby finished the half strongly strongly though and scored their second try just before the break when a mix-up in the Dees’ defence allowed a visiting player to slice through and score a converted try ad they led 12-10 at the interval.

Matt Knight was unlucky not to score his first try for the club in the second half as the lock seemed to have placed the ball down before being driven into touch, only to have his effort rules out.

Against the run of play Dees conceded a penalty which Oadby’s fly-half dispatched, as the hosts again took control with their forward keeping it tight to drive Oadby back.

An Oadby player was sin-binned for repeated infringements and, with Dees bossing the scrums, they opted for the set-piece.

The ball was then spun wide and, although the ball went to ground, it was deemed to have gone backwards, as burly centre Duncan Holmes was on hand to power over the line for an unconverted try to make it 15-15.

Dees continued to press as they won another penalty on the edge of Murphy’s range that drifted agonisingly wide.

With five minutes to go Oadby worked their way forward, but Dees forced a mistake as Thompson’s well-place penalty saw Dees gain ground with good work from the pack.

Thompson then dropped back into the hole and perfectly dropped a goal to snatch victory.

Dunstablians have a week off before returning to league action with a trip to Olney on March 22.

Dees: Stuart Calder, Alex Ayres, Simon George, Scott Oliver, Matthew Knight, Duane Hughes-Brand, Aaron White, Robert Thorne, Stuart Hall, Peter Thompson, Jordan Warner, Duncan Holmes, Scott Warren, Jack Bramston, Joe Murphy. Replacements: James Noel, Harry Barter, Sam Wilkins.