1st TEAM Match Report
Saturday 4th September 2004
LEAGUE: MIDLANDS 3 EAST (South)
LEIGHTON BUZZARD 1st XV: 3 LUTTERWORTH 1st XV: 25
Away from home Lutterworth began their league campaign in fine style with a convincing victory over well rated Leighton Buzzard. On an afternoon when the temperatures reached 30 degrees it was a performance that owed much to the pre season training that has resulted in a level of fitness not seen in previous years.
During the first fifteen minutes both sides were tense and determined not to make early mistakes, the result was a rather nervous and scrappy stalemate that was eventually broken by winger Phil Daffern with a typical high-speed dash towards Buzzard’s line. Daffern was brought down by an illegal high tackle and Tim Jeffs administered Buzzard’s punishment, kicking the resulting penalty long and true. After 25 minutes Jeff’s second penalty kick was also successful and Lutterworth settled down to largely control and dominate the game. Daffern continued to look dangerous but it was new signing, Gareth Court, playing in his league debut for Lutts, who took the ball over from the back of a five-metre scrum for the first try. Jeffs duly converted.
As is often the case skipper Dennis Hall was the catalyst who stepped Lutterworth up a gear and during the second period he rallied his fellow forwards to a commanding performance. The front row of Wilford, Riley and Stevens annihilated their opposite three, locks, Ian Johnson and Ian Evans commanded the lineout and the loose, the back row made huge holes in Buzzards defence. The home side managed 3 points from a penalty but Lutterworth replied quickly with superb rugby in the shape of a try started and finished by veteran full back, Dave Johnson. Third Johnson brother, Alan, who came on as replacement hooker, provided the icing on the cake in the dying minutes of the game as he carried the ball (and several Buzzard players) over the line with sheer power and determination for try number three.