Things got off to a bad start even before Saturdays crucial RBS National League match between play-off hopefuls Dundee High Rugby and Stewarts Melville.
Firstly the match was switched from Mayfield to Dalnacraig because of the ground conditions then swapped back again before the 3pm kick off.
Not an ideal preparation for what was Dundee’s most important league match of the season as they aimed to leapfrog opponents Stewarts Melville into third spot in the league and give themselves a decent chance of making the play-off spot for promotion.
However that inconvenience was shrugged off and by the end of the first half they were sitting on a useful if not commanding lead as they turned 10-0 to the good.
Centre Tim McKavanagh was the try scorer, stand-off Bryce Hosie converted and slotted a penalty so much of the same in the second half would have clinched a result.
It was not to be as McKavanagh’s opposite number David Hampton crossed for Stew Mel and the first-half scoring was mirrored with the visitors No 10 Nick McCashin nailing the conversion and a penalty.
Neither side could unpick the opposition defence for any further scores and in the end the draw, although a fair reflection of the game, suited Stew Mel a lot more than it did Dundee.
A win would have taken Dundee into third spot behind Watsonians who lost to leaders Boroughmuir but they now remain in fourth spot with two games left to play.
The top of the table reads Boroughmuir played 15, 64 points, Watsonians played 15, 53 points, Stewarts Melville played 15, 52 points then Dundee played 16, 50 points.
Colin Robertson’s men therefore have to ensure that they win their remaining two matches, at Peebles on March 1 then at Mayfield against Selkirk on March 22, with maximum points and hope that the two sides above them slip up.
That might be more easily said than done however since Selkirk lurk in the background having played only 13 matches and, on 42 points at the moment, could be coming to Mayfield with ambitions of their own.