2nd TEAM Match Report
Saturday 20th September 2003
SYSTON 2nd XV 23pts LUTTERWORTH 2nd XV 13pts
Lutterworth’s recent success at First Team level is largely due to a policy of retaining and nurturing young players who have graduated from the Junior and Colts section of The Club. Today’s second team fixture at Syston was being looked at with interest by the management and coaches because eleven of the squad are young players returning to the fold after various university and work commitments and who are all being seen as potential First Team candidates.
The game started at a terrific pace, bearing in mind the semi-tropical nature of the afternoon and the away side were well up with that pace. Despite going behind to a Syston penalty after five minutes, Lutterworth quickly bounced back when good work from Number Eight, Ryan Charlton allowed veteran lock, Martin Pole, to crash over with Lutterworth’s first try. Syston were matched in every department for the first 30 minutes of the game. Lee Donovan was inspirational at fly half but was taken off just before half time with a bad knock to the ribs. The game was gradually wrenched from Lutterworth by determined and skilful play from Syston who scored two tries and a penalty at this critical stage; they took a first period lead of 18 to 8.
The second half honours were shared with one try each, the Lutterworth score was an excellent effort from wing, Andy (Ronnie) Williamson who caught an awkwardly bouncing kick and carried it some sixty yards over the line. Lutterworth full back, Giles Carter, put in a fine defensive performance, as did club stalwart, Phil Duffin who came on for the last ten minutes, both helped prevent Syston adding to their tally