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1st TEAM   Match Report

Saturday 5th March 2005

LEAGUE:  MIDLANDS 3 EAST (South)

NORTHAMPTON MENS OWN 1st XV: 28     LUTTERWORTH  1st XV: 20

For Lutterworth to maintain a grip on promotion then this was a must win fixture, but despite a promising start the visitors deteriorated during the course of the game. You were left with the impression that although many Lutterworth players have the skills, the team as a whole lack the commitment and ambition to play in Midlands Two.

The visitors started in great style and during the first ten minutes made Mens’ Own look very ordinary. Good grafting by hooker, Paul Riley gave Bobby Williams the chance to slot a penalty after only three minutes and shortly afterwards a poor clearance kick by the pressured Northampton side allowed Charlie Roberson to charge through with Dave Simpkin neatly on hand to take the ball over the try line. Poor defending allowed Mens’ Own to score a soft try but a better effort from a lineout catch and drive gave them a 10 to 8 lead. Lee Donovan took the opportunity of intercepting some dreadful handling by the home team and centre, Nick Hutt, was on hand to touch down. Poor discipline by Lutterworth was punished by two successful penalty attempts which gave the home side a 16 to 15 lead at half time.

Mens’ Own proceeded to stamp their authority on the game after the break with two early tries which left Lutterworth playing catch up rugby against a 13 point defecit. Scrum half, Gareth Court scored a consolation try late in the game but the visitors were unable to regain the upper hand leaving the better side on the day deserved winners.