1st TEAM Match Report
Saturday 13th November 2004
LEAGUE: MIDLANDS 3 EAST (South)
Rushden & Higham 1st XV: 10 LUTTERWORTH 1st XV: 25
Lutterworth continued their recent good form with another away win this time at Rushden and Higham. Although the result never really looked in doubt the visitors did at times make very heavy weather of a game that they should have won by a more significant margin.
Lutterworth once again started well and a good early period of possession and attack was turned into points by winger Phil Daffern, with great vision he chipped over two defenders, collected the ball and touched down in the corner. As usual the Lutterworth pack was in the ascendancy for the whole game, the Rushden front row soon realised that there were better places to be on a Saturday afternoon than facing Wilford, Stevens and Riley. It was Paul Riley who next added to the scoreline from a lineout catch and drive and it now looked as though Lutterworth would win this contest by a big margin. However half way through the first period a tackle on Rushden’s winger was deemed to be high and they were surprisingly awarded a penalty try which they duly converted. This seemed to take the wind from Lutterworth’s sails and the first half ended at 7 points to 12.
After the restart Lutterworth launched attack after attack but failed to turn possession into points. Tim Jeffs had a drop goal disallowed and Rushden kicked a penalty in front of the posts to bring the scoreline to 10 to 12. During the last quarter of the game the visitor’s pack inspired by a fine performance by stand in number eight, Ben Husthwaite, finally took the bull by the horns and a great drive by the forwards allowed Riley to touch down for the second time. After more intense pressure by the pack, Riley was in the action again sending Mark Ellis over for try number four. Tim Jeffs slotted a penalty with the last kick of the game which ended satisfactorily for the visitors but it could and should have been much better.
Next Saturday Daventry visit Ashby Lane, kick off 2.30, bar opens at 1.30 all spectators are welcome.