Sat 9 Nov 2019, 14:15
12 January 2013 saw the most recent meeting of these two clubs. For Stags it was the second defining match of the promotion season, the first having occurred on the previous Saturday when Bugbrooke were beaten 17-15 . Dunstablians, then second in the table, 4 points behind Stags, went down 23-20 in a see-saw game in which the lead changed hands half a dozen times . In that year Stags found a way of winning close games even when not performing particularly well. Patience, self belief, focus and composure were then the critical ingredients of success.
In 2019, Doug Bentley came into the second row for his first game of the season; he, Wayne Bradley and Tom Morgan being the only survivors from the 2013 squad. Though nowhere near as windy, the relentless rain and numbing cold of the last league match two weeks ago were precisely replicated. Given the conditions, both sides can congratulate themselves in producing a decent contest that was in the balance throughout. Handling errors were, in the circumstances, surprisingly few though one from Stags, in the last play of the game one metre from the Dunstablians line , prevented them from gaining at least a draw. In truth, though, the home sides superiority in three key areas was the decisive factor in giving them victory, leaving Stags with just a bonus point as reward for their endeavours.
First, the scrum, in which, especially in the second half, Stags went backwards. Secondly, the line out; whereas Dunstablians was almost 100% secure, Stags was, too often, untidy and disrupted. Third, kicking in open play; Duns found spaces on the angle, Stags found opponents in midfield. Further, three times ,penalties that could have provided strong attacking opportunities, failed to find touch.
Early skirmishes were largely inconclusive, with a slight advantage to the home side. That notwithstanding, it was Stags who took the lead on 20 minutes, Roger Shakespeare going over on the back of a driving maul from a line out, shades of the glory days of yesteryear when the hooker was the leading try scorer. Duncan Lowe converted for 7-0. Duns came back at once with a penalty and a try of their own, a large hole appearing in Stags fringe defence, these sandwiched by a Lowe penalty for 10-8 to Stags. This became 15-8 when a good spell of ball retention and pressure provided the platform for Steve Chantler to crash over. A seven point margin was a decent lead at half time and gave grounds for optimism that it would be sufficient for victory.
That, however, was as good as it got for Stags. They struggled to get out of their own half and were half asleep when Duns took a quick tap penalty. The lesson was not learnt; five minutes later another tap led to a try and, though the conversion was missed, there were now just two points in it at 15-13. A third, converted, try made it 20-15 and the lead for Duns for the first time in the match. Stags now pulled themselves together ,picking and driving to good effect in a rather frantic final 10 minutes which saw a yellow card per side and the home side holding out by the skin of their teeth.
Next match is on the 16th against Stockwood Park who beat a depleted Stags earlier in the season in the cup. Stags backs have shown signs that they could be a force. It would be good if a dry day and sufficient ball from the pack gave them the opportunity to show their paces. Kick off at the racecourse is at 2.15.
