1st TEAM Match Report
SATURDAY 8th NOVEMBER 2003
LEAGUE: MIDLANDS 3 EAST (South)
LUTTERWORTH 1st XV: 55 RUSHDEN & HIGHAM: 13
Rushden started this fixture looking a far better side than their record so far this season would suggest. After ten minutes they ran in a well worked try to take an early lead against a stuttering home side which looked like it could end up with egg on its face courtesy of the Midlands Three whipping boys.
Lutterworth’s trademark is the dominance of their pack against all comers, although the home side forwards soon gained control, Rushden’s pack provided more resistance than was expected. Great linking by scrum half, Matt Soulsby and a vintage performance by fly half, Tim Jeffs, gave the Lutterworth backs the opportunity to display their undoubted skills and delight the large home crowd with a try-scoring spree.
After fifteen minutes, centre, David Simpkin went over for the first of his tally of four. Minutes later Simpkin scored again, following a defence-breaking run from full back, Charlie Roberson. Great linking by Matt Soulsby allowed hooker Paul Riley to storm through and set up winger, Phil Daffern for number three. Rushden slotted a penalty but Roberson, set up by new boy, Pete Wilson, quickly replied with try number four just before half time.
The second period was all Lutterworth, the match winning consistency of the Lutterworth front three of Wilford, Riley and Stevens is now taken for granted and once again they were awesome. Number 8, David Stannard capped a massive performance with two typical Lutterworth tries, Dave Simpkin added two to ensure his nomination as ‘man of the match’ and would have put his name on the score sheet again had the referee not awarded a penalty try. Rushden scored a well deserved consolation try in the dying minutes but the final score left no doubt as to why the Ashby Lane side are at the top of this league.