Back

1st TEAM   Match Report

Saturday 24th September 2005

NPI Cup - 2nd Round

SYSTON 1st XV: 29  V  LUTTERWORTH  1st XV: 22

After a good win over Old Laurentians in the first round of the RFU Intermediate Cup, Lutterworth’s lst XV travelled for the second round to play Syston , a side that a few years ago was playing in the Midlands 1 division but now play at the same Midlands 3 level as Lutterworth.

Lutterworth started well and strong forward pressure led to an  unconverted try from No 8 Adam Conway after only three minutes. Syston responded promptly with a try only minutes later to level the score at 5-all. A try from Lutterworth full-back Charlie Roberson again took Lutterworth into a short-lived lead with Syston levelling the score with a  further try to take the game to half-time at 10-all.

Lutterworth started the second half a man short due to a yellow card but held out for the 10-minute sin-bin without conceding points. Although the Lutterworth pack was dominant throughout, Syston consistently made good use with what possession they did have with their backs making full use of the wide pitch and took the lead for the first time with two tries in as many minutes to take a twelve point lead with ten minutes remaining.

A tough but fair game took its toll on the Lutterworth side and all four replacements were used with Lee Tebbatt and Tom Kiddie both  showing their paces to good effect . Even four replacements proved insufficient and the injury count reduced the Lutterworth side to fourteen men for the last ten minutes.

Hope of a least levelling the score to take the tie to extra time was boosted by a try from Lutterworth scrum half Gareth Court, converted by Tim Jeffs. However, Syston responded immediately with a converted try to restore their twelve point lead. A Lutterworth try in the dying minutes closed the gap but the game ended  29-22 to Syston. 

Lutterworth resumes League rugby next Saturday, playing Northampton Casuals at home, kicking off at 3.00pm.