Old Mid Whitgiftian 5 - Old Dunstonian 52

In the first half Dunstonian looked sharp and composed as they attacked from all angles, the dynamism of a pack led by the efforts of Luke Smart (ably supported by Boyd, Davey, Wild and excellent debutant Hugh Hawkins) leading to multiple opportunities for the lively backline, the principal beneficiary being wing Ollie Evans who recorded a hat trick. By the half hour the 4 try bonus point was secure and the game was over as a contest.

The second half saw the old boys rather lose focus, perhaps understandable as the result was evidently secured. The odd tackle was missed, the offloading was less sharp and a hard working Midwives pack started to turn over some ball. The hosts got their reward when their dangerous winger finished strongly in the corner. For all Mids endeavour, they were outscored 2 tries to one in the second period as both Smart and Hawkins (capping an assured debut) made the most of rare incursions into Mids territory. For the rest of the half, Dunstonian defended their line with a composure that didn't allow Mids to add to their solitary score.

This 5 point win keeps the old boys 5th, with only 5 points separating them from second spot. With 9 games to go it remains all to play for and whilst every game provides its own challenges upcoming visits to Aylesford and East Grinstead will prove particularly testing. Next week sees the old boys entertain Heathfield, a side against which they won by the narrowest of margins in October.