Fixtures/Results: Mini/Junior

Under 16's:

HML = Herts and Middlesex League

EMC = East Midlands Cup

Date		U16s	Venue	Result DRUFC first	Scorers	Match Reports
SEPT-09	6th	TRAINING
	13th	TRAINING
	20th	STOCKWOOD PARK	AWAY	W 29-10
	27th	WASPS (HML) KO 12:30	HOME	L 14-29		Report/Picture
OCT-09	4th	TRAINING
	11th	EALING B (HML)	HOME	L 5-22		Report/Picture
	18th	STOCKWOOD PARK (EMC R1) ko 12:30	HOME	Stockwood with only 10 players forfeited the game. Friendly- Dees 27 Stockwood(+5 Dees) 24
	25th	BIGGLESWADE (BEDS CUP)	AWAY	W 24-10		Report/Pictures
NOV-09	1st	TRING	AWAY	L 10-19		Report
	8th	DATCHWORTH (HML)	AWAY	L 21-32		Report/Pictures
	15th	TRAINING
	22nd	HARPENDEN B (HML)	postponed
	29th	LEIGHTON BUZZARD	AWAY	L 5-24		Pictures
DEC-09	6th	HARPENDEN B (HML)	cancelled
	13th	TOWCESTER (EM CUP)	AWAY	L 0-49		Report/Pictures
	20th	TRAINING
	27th	XMAS/NEW YEAR HOLIDAY
JAN-10	3rd	OLD VERULAMIANS	cancelled
	10th	STOCKWOOD PARK (BEDS CUP)	cancelled
	17th	LUTON KO 12:00	AWAY	L 5-24
	24th	BIGGLESWADE (HML) ko 11am	HOME	W 39-5		Report/Pictures
	31st	BUCKINGHAM ko 11:30	HOME
FEB-10	7th	SARACENS B (HML)	AWAY	L 5-27		Report/Pictures
	14th	LONG BUCKBY (EM PLATE)	AWAY	L 12-37		Report
	21st	STOCKWOOD PARK (Beds Cup S/F)	postponed
	28th	TRAINING
MAR-10	7th	HARPENDEN B (HML)	AWAY	L 14-19		Report
	14th	STOCKWOOD (Beds Cup S/F)	AWAY
	21st	BEDFORD SWIFTS (HML)	HOME
	28th	WELWYN B (Friendly/EMP Final)	AWAY
APR-10	4th	EASTER HOLIDAY
	11th	TRAINING
	18th	STOCKWOOD PARK (Friendly)	HOME
	24th	TRING (Friendly)	AWAY

U16s Match Reports

Match report U16s v Long Buckby 14/02/10

D's U16s playing their first game for three weeks in their penultimate HML game away to Harpenden Saxons, looking to ease their relegation worries. 

From the kick off D’s were straight into their game, with their forwards dominating the Biggleswade pack in the tight and lineout with jumpers Stuart Caines and Dale Martin disrupting the Harpenden ball resulting in three turnovers. The backs were also looking dangerous, with Harpenden struggling to deal with the pace of the D’s back three.

After 15 mins from sustained pressure the ball was spun wide from a scrum inside the Harpenden half through to D’s left wing James Rochester for him weave through the Harpenden defence to be held up just in front of the line, where prop Matt Nouch was in support to take the final pass and score neat the posts. The resulting conversion was scored by captain, Connor Fleet-Chapman.

D’s continued to move forward and were forcing Harpenden into some desperate defending and from a similar scrum position on the left of the pitch, the ball was put through hands out to top try scorer Matt Anderson who broke a number of tackles to score under the posts. The resulting conversion was scored by centre Ben Dales

D’s were now starting to show their true ability in all departments and ended the half on the attack.
 
Half time score: Harpenden Saxons 0 v Dunstablians 14
 
The 2nd half started in the same manner as the first, with the D’s forwards controlling the possession and driving Harpenden back inside their 22, but with the full use of their replacements, Harpenden were able to start getting on the front foot with D’s looking lacklustre and tired.

Harpenden were now starting to put some phases together and moved the ball out through the backs as D’s were missing their tackles. Coming into the line the Harpenden full back was able to avoiding one tackle and then back inside D’s full back to score under the posts with the resulting conversion being successful.

D’s now had their backs to the wall as Harpenden grew in confidence and were pressuring the D’s backline, who were now not looking as sharp. Now looking to mount their own attack, D’s were caught out with a pass being intercepted as they used one of their backs moves with the Harpenden centre racing through to score under the posts. The conversion was successful.

With the game now tied at 14 all, the next score was going to be crucial. Harpenden forwards were now pushing the D’s pack back down the pitch through a number of phases, resulting in a score in the corner. The conversion was missed.

With the game entering the final few minutes, D’s were forced to reshuffle their pack and winger Adam Chant playing flanker.

Now looking for the converted try required to win the game, D’s made one final push. After some good play in the forwards, the ball came out to Matt Anderson, who again broke through the Harpenden defence speeding down the wing for what looked like the winning try for the ref to call play back for a very late in touch call from the touch judge.

Final score – Harpenden Saxons 19 v Dunstablians 14

Report by Richard Anderson

Match report U16s v Long Buckby 14/02/10

Ds U16s came into this game with only 15 players available due to half term holidays, injuries and suspension and ended up playing the whole game with only 14 players due to a late withdrawal due to sickness.

Ds were back to their normal slow start with players taking time to settle into new positions and adjusting to being down by one player, which Long Buckby taking full advantage and scoring  2 quick tries inside the first 20 minutes. Neither was converted.

This seemed to now galvanise Ds to start to play with intensity and they ended the half, looking dangerous and putting Long Buckby on the back foot, however, against the run of play, Long Buckby produced a try from nowhere with their winger scoring. Looking to get themselves back in the game, Ds started to move up the field with prop Will Malewicz scoring his first try of the season with the resulting conversion taken by centre Ben Dales hitting the upright.

Half time score: Long Buckby 15 - Dunstablians 5
 
The 2nd half started in the same manner as the first, with the Ds starting slowly enabling Long Buckby to attack from the kick off and Ds soon found themselves further behind, with Long Buckby’s backs opening up the Ds' defence to score under the posts. The conversion was on target.

Ds' 14 men continued to ask questions of the Buckby 15, with Ds pushing them back down the pitch and being given a series of penalties and from some good work by their forwards, No8 Stuart Caines was able to score with the resulting conversion being scored by winger Adam Chant.

This sustained pressure seemed to take its toll on the Ds' 14 men as Buckby’s backs were starting to stretch Ds' tired defence, racking up three quick tries in the space of ten minutes for a final scoreline which flattered the home side, however the Ds' 14 did not give up and played until the final whistle.

Final score – Long Buckby 37 – Dunstablians 12

Report by Richard Anderson

Match report U16s v Saracens 07/02/10

D's U16s looking to pick up from their good performance last time out, were up against Saracens B, who were sitting in second place in the league. The start of the game was delayed for 15 minutes due to the late arrival of the referee, whose performance was key to the outcome of this match.

D’s were back to their normal slow start, which Sarries took full advantage of with help of some questionable refereeing, when two blatant knock ons enabled Sarries to score 2 quick tries inside the first 20 minutes. Neither was converted. This seemed to now galvanise D’s to start to play with intensity and they ended the half, looking dangerous and putting Sarries on the back foot.

Looking to get themselves back in the game, D’s started to move the ball through hands and from some quick ball moved the ball out to full back Matt Anderson who sped through the Sarries defence from the edge of their 22 and completed D’s only score. The conversion was missed.

Half time score: Saracens B 10 - Dunstablians 5

The 2nd half started in the same manner as the first, with the D’s starting slowly enabling Sarries to attack from the kick off and D’s soon found themselves further behind, with Sarries forwards carrying the ball over the line, where the ball appeared to be held up by D’s, but the try was given and converted.

A succession of questionable decisions from the referee got the better of D’s with Sarries now able to gain momentum scoring two further tries as the game entered the final quarter. As the game entered the final minutes, an off the ball incident between the D’s No12 and Sarries hooker, resulted in the referee ending the game early, with D’s still looking for an all important second win, to ensure relegation is avoided.

Final score – Saracens B 27 – Dunstablians 5

Report by Richard Anderson

Match report U16s v Biggleswade 24/01/10

D's U16s playing their first home game since mid October hosted Biggleswade in their 4th HML game this season. Both sides had lost all of their previous league games and occupying the bottom two places, this match was vital to both sides to win and kick start their season.

From the kick off D’s were straight into their game, with their forwards dominating the Biggleswade pack in the tight and loose and after 5 minutes of sustained pressure the ball was spu wide from a scrum inside the Biggleswade half through to D’s left wing James Rochester for him weave through the Biggleswade defence and score in the corner. The resulting conversion from just inside the touchline was missed.

D’s continued to move forward and were forcing Biggleswade into some desperate defending and from a similar scrum position on the left of the pitch, the ball was put through hands, to D’s full back Alex Harnett who passed five metres out to right wing Matt Anderson who forced his way to the line, where he was tackled, but was able to turn and touch the ball down, just over the try-line, with the referee in a perfect position to award the try. The resulting conversion from just inside the touchline was missed.

D’s were now starting to show their true ability, particularly in the forwards, when in the 18th minute, after a number of good phases of play, the ball came to D’s prop Dan Roberts, who was making his first start for 4 months after sustaining a serious knee injury, and he added a trademark surging try, with the conversion unsuccessful again.

D’s were now also using their kicking game well, with captain Connor Fleet-Chapman sending a number of kicks through for D’s speedy backs to chase resulting in significant ground being made. As the game entered the second quarter D’s were given even more of an advantage, as the Biggleswade scrum half was yellow carded for killing the ball and D’s were able to score two converted tries, through fly half Sam Heley slicing through the Biggleswade midfield and scoring under the posts and then a well worked try ending with top scorer Matt Anderson using his speed and strength to out-pace the Biggleswade defence down the right wing to score under the posts. Both tries were converted by centre Ben Dales.

With the game now looking won and the bonus point secured, D’s then took their foot off the gas, which coincided with the opposition scrum half back on the pitch. D’s were now having to back pedal and tackle to sustain Biggleswade’s fight back. As half time approached Biggleswade were camped in the D’s 22, with D’s tackling any blue shirt and finally putting Biggleswade final attack of the half into touch.

Half time score: Dunstablians 29 – Biggleswade 0
 
The 2nd half started in the same manner as the first, with the D’s forwards controlling the possession and driving Biggleswade back inside their 22, and with just 3 minutes gone of the second half, D’s scored their 6th try with winger Matt Anderson scoring his hat-trick try down the right wing. The conversion was missed.

D’s started to bring on some fresh legs, which resulted in a reshuffle of the back line with their fly half, Sam Heley moving to scrum half, which enabled him to score D’s seventh and final try mid-way through the second half.

More substitutions were made during this period to give the whole squad some game time, with D’s losing some of the control and intensity, resulting in Biggleswade coming back into the game. Biggleswade were now winning their own line-out ball and disrupting D’s and as the game entered the final 10 minutes, Biggleswade determination brought them their only score, with their forwards driving over in the corner. The resulting conversion was missed.

D’s were now on the back foot and defending as the game came to a close, replacement winger Kyle Pettit tackling a Biggleswade forward, twice his size into touch, when it looked a certain try.

Final score – Dunstablians 39 – Biggleswade 5.

D’s most complete team performance of the season, with forwards dominating in all but the line-out and the backs using their speed and the width of the pitch to score some good tries, but the intensity has to be maintained for the whole game, even allowing for substitutions.

Report by Richard Anderson

Match report U16s v Towcester (EM Cup) 13/12/09

This game was originally scheduled to be played at DRUFC, but due to a mini-rugby tournament it would not have been possible to kick-off until the mid-afternoon, so the game was played at Towcester. A non-show by the referee meant a late replacement had to be found, who turned out to be excellent.

Towcester started the game looking quick, lively and highly organized and duly scored with an easy run-in within 2 minutes of kick-off. They did the same again about 5 minutes later.

Dees then woke up a bit and at 14 minutes in, were awarded a penalty outside the Towcester 22, but the kick failed to make the distance. Although Dees mounted a period of significant pressure during the middle and latter stages of the first half, they were not sufficiently clinical to cross the line whereas Towcester scored again in the 28th minute with a couple of phases of well executed rugby.

At 35 minutes a D's clearance kick inside their 22 was charged down and Towcester scored again to make the half time score 20:0 in their favour.

Although Towcester were undisciplined and gave away many penalties, they still continued to dominate the second half. The Towcester line-out was near perfect, and so even if Dees were awarded a penalty, the resultant kick for touch meant Towcester often regained possession.

Although the Dees forwards worked very hard and supplied a lot of good ball, the Towcester defence was up very sharply on the too flat Dees back line which meant they were unable to put their dangerous wingers into space.

Dees started to crumble in the final 10 minutes as heads and legs dropped. Tempers were lost primarily due to frustration and points were duly leaked. A strong and sharp Towcester side remained in control of the game which they finally won 49:0.

Report by David Randall

Match report U16s v Datchworth 08/11/09

Dunstable U16s travelled to Datchworth to play their 3rd Herts & Middlesex League game of the season, still looking for a win in a league game. Datchworth have played 2 and won 1 in the league so far.

D's were penalised for "not releasing the ball" many times at the early part of the game. Datchworth scored about 7 minutes in, following a penalty given at the D's 5m line. Datchworth converted to open the scoring at 7:0. About 15 minutes into the game Datchworth were struggling in the scrum against D's, one scrum on the D's 22 was reset at least 5 times until eventually a penalty was given against D's. Datchworth kicked for 3 points. A few minutes later D's interrupted the Datchworth line-out, quickly moved the ball to the centre of the field where it was taken by Ben Dales who ran in the try. Sam Heley, playing No 10 today instead of his normal position, No 9, took the kick and added 2 points.

As the half drew to a close D's were penalised for handling on the floor while near their 5m line. Datchworth chose to try and run the ball in and were initially blocked by the D's defence, but they managed to move to the away from the massed D's bodies and one of the Datchworth backs took the ball over with little opposition from Ds to make the half time score Datchworth 15 : Dunstable 7.

The second half started with D's dominant in the scrum but their backs looking lost and lacking creativity. Datchworth had the weaker set of forwards, but better backs. Datchworth scored and converted 15 minutes into the half. A few minutes later, D's were awarded a penalty inside the Datchworth 22 and Matt Anderson ran the try in. Sam Heley took the kick and added the 2 points. 25 minutes into the half Datchworth were attacking just inside the D's 22 and knocked-on but it wasn't spotted by the referee and this allowed them to reach the D's 5m line. A minute later a penalty was given against D's, with play still on the Dunstable 5m line, and Datchworth covered the final few metres for their 4th try.

One more try apiece, with Adam Chant scoring for Dunstable and Sam Heley adding the 2 points, brought the final score to Datchworth 32: Dunstable 21.

In conclusion Datchworth looked the better team and deserved their win. Dunstable failed to build on the solid platform provided by their heavy pack and solid scrum and without a functioning set of backs never looked like they'd win this one.

Report by David Randall

Match report U16s v Tring 01/11/09

D's U16s travelled to Tring today for a game against Tring, who they had not played for 3 seasons. Tring play in Division 2 of the Saracens Herts & Middlesex league, so a tough game was expected, particularly as the game started in torrential rain with a strong wind.

From the kick off D’s were struggling to cope with the wet conditions and conceded a penalty for not releasing the ball in their own 22. Tring took a short tap penalty which resulted in a try from their first play. The try was converted. D’s continued to struggle with a number of handling errors, plus getting on the wrong side of the ref at the breakdown, conceding penalties and losing momentum.

Halfway through the half, from another tap penalty, Tring crossed the try line again, with the conversion missed, D’s were now on the back foot with Tring growing in confidence as they rotated their team with their two replacements. D’s also lost their captain and fly half Connor Fleet Chapman with a dead leg.

Unable to break through the Tring defence, D’s started to change their game plan, kick deep into the Tring half towards half time.

Half time score: Tring 12 – Dunstablians 0

The 2nd half started in the same manner as the first, with D’s forwards conceding a penalty inside their 22, with Tring capitalising again from their penalty, crossing the try line gain. The conversion was scored making the score Tring 19 – Dunstablians 0.

Having made a couple of substitutions at half time, D’s started to ring the changes, with next week’s league game in mind. As the second half progressed D’s were now starting to get their game together, but Tring were still looking to get some more points on the board. During one of their attacks, the ball came through to Alex Harnett playing at full back, who launched a monster kick deep into the Tring 22 and into touch, just in front of the their try line. From the resulting line-out D’s were able to create a number of phases, with centre Ben Dales touching down for D’s first score, however the conversion was missed.

D’s now started playing with more confidence and self belief. The game was now coming to an end, as D’s started to move up the field and from just outside the Tring 22, D’s spun the ball through their backs out to Matt Anderson on the wing, who sped down the wing scoring in the corner. The conversion was missed and the referee blew for time.

Final score – Tring 19 – Dunstablians 10. Whilst this was a tough game for D’s, playing a team 2 divisions above them, all 21 players used stuck at the task and made the game a lot closer than was expected.

Report by Richard Anderson

Match report U16s v Biggleswade (Beds Cup) 25/10/09

D's U16s travelled to Biggleswade today for the 1st round/quarter final of the Beds County Cup. Like Dunstable U16s, Biggleswade play in the 4th division of the Saracens Herts & Middlesex league so a well matched game was expected.

For the first 15 minutes neither side really dominated, but D's looked promising; a much better start than the previous weeks friendly against Stockwood. Biggleswade were awarded a kickable penalty after about 10 mins, but failed to take the points.

The D's scrum was looking solid. D's Props, Matt Nouch and Will Malewicz almost never took a step back and showed much improved lifting in the lineout. D's No 9, Sam Heley was providing excellent ball for the backs who showed they could catch the ball and run! This time it looked like we'd be able to capitalise on our powerful forwards.

D's gradually gained the upper hand and at 17 minutes Alex Harnett ran the ball over the line to open the scoring. D's failed to convert, but the score gave them more confidence and Biggleswade began to look a little ragged, giving away several penalties.

As the 1st half drew to a close D's were awarded a penalty as a result of a Biggleswade player breaking off the scrum too early and obstructing the D's No 9. D's took advantage of this and Matt Anderson scored for D's, the conversion by Ben Dales was sucessful making the half time score Biggleswade 0 Dunstable 12.

The 2nd half started with D's still looking confident and in control. After a scrum on the centre line 10 mins in, D's took the ball out across the backs to Matt Anderson who ran it in for his 2nd try of the day. Ben Dales added the 2 points.

D's then relaxed and Biggleswade came back at them, pinning D's in their half for the next 5 minutes which resulted in Biggleswade scoring their first try. They failed to add the extras but continued to pressure Dunstable, resulting in their 2nd try 5 minutes later.

Having conceded 2 tries in 5 minutes D's woke up again and pushed play back deep into Biggleswade's half. A scrum on the Biggleswade 22 resulted in quick ball out to the D's backs, who did their work and got the ball to Matt Anderson who ran in his 3rd try of the day. D's failed to convert, but dominated the final 10 minutes of the game to end up winners.

The final score was Biggleswade 10- D's 24

Report by David Randall

Match report U16s v Ealing 11/10/09

Dunstable U16s hosted Ealing B U16s in their second Saracens Herts & Middlesex League fixture of the season. Last year's fixture had been one of the best games of the season, with D's winning 24:21 from a penalty taken as the last kick of the game. This year we've started the season with several players already injured and are struggling to field a full strength line up of backs but we hoped to have a return game of equally high quality.

The game started pretty evenly with a period when Ealing dominated D's territory followed by a period when D's dominated Ealing territory. But overall neither side seemed to be able to create much or looked like scoring.

After 17 minutes Ealing won a kickable penalty and opened the scoring with 3 points. D's quickly struck back with a try from Matthew Anderson, but were unable to convert.

About 30 minutes into the half, Ealing were awarded a scrum near the D's 22. The ball barely entered the tunnel from the put-in. In fact it looked like it bounced straight out back out of the tunnel, off the leg of the Ealing prop. Ealing quickly picked up the ball and ran it in. The half time score was Dunstable 5, Ealing 8.

After the break, Ealing opened the scoring with a penalty kick 4 minutes into the second half and followed up with a nice drop goal 10 minutes later.

Ealing scored one more try and another nice drop goal without reply from Dunstable to make the final score Dunstable 5, Ealing 22.

Overall neither side showed the quality we'd seen in last year's fixture. D's had the dominant pack and pushed Ealing back several metres on many of the scrums. But the link between the D's forwards and the D's backs wasn't working today and the D's backs rarely managed to put together any flowing moves. Much of the play, from both sides, was scrappy and disjointed with many dropped balls. Several times, both sides were guilty of reacting poorly to refereeing decisions against them, and were penalised for their lack of self control. Not the classic fixture we'd expected after last years game.

The final score was D's 5, Ealing 22 Picture

Report by David Randall

Match report U16s v Wasps 27/09/09

Today D's hosted Wasps for their first Herts & Middlesex League game of the season. The game was played in bright and warm conditions but the ground was very hard.

D's were without some players due to injury but started strongly with Wasps struggling to get out of their own half for the first 15 minutes. However, once Wasps did get into D's territory they scored. The game was pretty even for the next 15 minutes, until Matt Anderson of D's collected the ball near his 20m line and ran it all the way in. Dan Roberts added the 2 points to put D's ahead 7:5. Five minutes later Matt Anderson made another long run in for a further 5, with the conversion again made by Dan Roberts. The half time score was 14:5 to D's.

D's started the 2nd half very slowly, allowing Wasps to score an easy try just a couple of minutes in. About 15 minutes into the half, the normally indestructible Dan Roberts of D's was stretchered off the pitch after injuring his knee. With Dan off the field, lying on a stretcher waiting for the ambulance, D's lost their focus and Wasps quickly scored again but failed to convert, making the score D's 14, Wasps 15. Play continued to be pretty evenly matched, but following what looked like a forward pass which was not spotted by the referee, Wasps scored again and this time managed to convert the try. As the teams moved up to the half way line for the restart, the Referee penalised D's for "arguing among themselves". Wasps were given a penalty which was kicked deep and they quickly scored again and added the 2 points.

Some Wasps players showed a very aggressive attitude during the game. Wasps coaches apologised for this after the game and said they would be dealt with by the club.

The final score was D's 14, Wasps 29 with D's player Dan Roberts off to the hospital.

Report by David Randall

Last seasons results here