1st TEAM Match Report
Saturday 13th September 2003
LEAGUE ; MIDLANDS 3 EAST (South)
Lutterworth 1st XV 42pts – Leighton Buzzard 18pts
In the first league game of the season, an outstanding performance by Lutterworth skipper, Dennis Hall, led the home side to a comprehensive victory over close rivals, Leighton Buzzard. The Lutterworth pack seems to grow in stature with every season and with every game, their initial onslaught left Buzzard reeling and Hall scored an early try after only five minutes which was converted by centre, Tim Jeffs. Buzzard converted one of two penalty attempts which was matched by Jeffs after thirty minutes. Although Lutterworth led this early period of play by 10 points to 3, it was still anyone’s game until the home sides fly half, Jim Croucher hit a magnificent drop goal from well within his own half which seemed to lift Lutterworth to another level. Before half time Croucher was again on hand to receive the ball from Hall and dive over for an outstanding try and another two points added by on form Jeffs.
Despite having a healthy period lead of 20 to 3, Lutterworth could not afford to be complacent, as usual the forwards were beating their opposition in every department, led by the power base that is Paul(Bull)Wilford. However, when they had the ball in hand the Leighton Buzzard backs looked very dangerous. In the second half Dennis Hall once more opened the scoring with a try from a driving maul. Winger, Phil Daffern, notched another as did Croucher, supporting and receiving the ball from the flying Daffern. Second row, Ben Husthwaite, went over with a try that sealed a solid all round performance by him.
Leighton Buzzard were down but not out and they came back at the end of a contest played in brutal midsummer-like conditions with two late tries and one conversion.