ST NEOTS Rugby Club went down 27-7 to Dutch side The Dukes in a pre-season friendly on Saturday. An early Charlie Usher try gave St Neots a 7-0 lead, and they continued to press positively through man-of-the-match Sam Peel, Adam Handley and Stuart Miller,

ST NEOTS Rugby Club went down 27-7 to Dutch side The Dukes in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

An early Charlie Usher try gave St Neots a 7-0 lead, and they continued to press positively through man-of-the-match Sam Peel, Adam Handley and Stuart Miller, but were unable to make the points their play deserved.

With a number of Dutch internationals in their squad, the Dukes then came alive and hit back with a converted try and a penalty to lead at half-time.

The visitors added two more unanswered tries and a penalty in the second half while St Neots tested their squad depth with multiple substitutions.

Club captain Mick Cleary said the game had been a success for both clubs.

"As a club we are proud to associate ourselves with the Dukes Rugby Club and hope that this is the first of many games between our two clubs over the coming years. Our thanks go to Chris Picton, Gary Fox and Johnny Morris for organising the game.

"We equipped ourselves well both on the field and socially after the game, and we hope that the Dukes enjoyed their weekend as much as we enjoyed having them.