1st TEAM Match Report
Saturday 11th September 2004
LEAGUE: MIDLANDS 3 EAST (South)
BANBURY 1st XV: 23 LUTTERWORTH 1st XV: 48
Two away victories on the trot is just the start to their league campaign that Lutterworth needed. Despite the scoreline this was not an easy win, the first half played against a strong prevailing wind was won by a single point (18 to 19) and Banbury capitalised on the away side’s defensive errors.
The first period began with Lutterworth conceding five penalties in as many minutes and for the next ten minutes Banbury were in the ascendancy by way of a try and penalty. Skipper Dennis Hall opened the scoring with a try converted by Tim Jeffs but Banbury quickly responded with try number two. As is usually the case the Lutterworth front eight slowly but surely took control and a period of textbook attacking play by the forwards led to Rob Sands first try of his eventual tally of four. The forwards quickly regained possession from the restart and forced Banbury into conceding consecutive penalties which resulted in stalwart, Ian Johnson carrying the ball over for Lutterworth’s third score. The game was still nip and tuck and Banbury replied with a try late in the half to all but level the scoreline.
With the gale at their back and obviously showing a superior level of fitness, Lutterworth could not be held by the home side. New boy, Mark Barber showed the opposition a clean pair of heels to open the scoring and although Banbury quickly replied it soon became apparent that Banbury were out of steam and out of ideas.
Lutterworth front three, Stevens, Riley and Alan Johnson, scrummaged the opposition off the park and Banbury were left reeling after a series of successful attacks resulted in three more tries for open side flanker, Rob Sands and one by replacement lock, Ben Husthwaite.
Despite the celebrations, Coach, Dave Turner, cautioned against complacency, ‘We played some superb attacking rugby during the game but their were periods of play when our defence was timid and shaky. Better sides could have punished us more for our defensive errors.’