1st TEAM Match Report
SATURDAY 25th OCTOBER 2003
LEAGUE: MIDLANDS 3 EAST (South)
LUTTERWORTH 1st XV: 10 NORTHAMPTON MEN’S OWN 1ST XV: 19
High flying Lutterworth, so far this season unbeaten, were brought very firmly down to earth by a gritty and determined Men’s Own fifteen.
Over confidence and complacency seemed the order of the day in a very poor performance by the home side against a Northampton team, which maintained its superiority in all facets of the game right from the whistle.
A missed penalty attempt by Lutterworth in the opening minutes was soon followed by poor handling, which allowed Men’s own to intercept and score a converted try after only 10 minutes. Shortly afterwards the home side levelled the scoring with lock, Ben Husthwaite going over and Tim Jeffs converting. Successful penalty attempts by both sides meant that at the break the score was 10 points each.
Although the Lutterworth three quarters looked at times dangerous, the forwards failed to find their usual dominance. Northampton M.O’s always looked the better side and despite coach Turner making three second half replacements Lutterworth could not find their usual form. Enforced errors and silly mistakes led to three successful penalties for the visitors who ended up worthy winners of an unattractive contest.