1st TEAM Match Report
Saturday 9th September 2006
League Fixture
LUTTERWORTH 1st XV: 15 v SYSTON 1st XV: 19
No less than expected this first league fixture of the season was a hard fought contest between local rivals of similar ability. Syston survived a torrid final twenty minutes to take home the two points but it was the home side’s poor discipline and suicidal determination to upset the referee that lost them the day.
Syston started strongly and most of the first twenty minutes were played in the Lutterworth half, the visitors missed one but kicked the second penalty attempt to give them a three-point lead after fifteen minutes. Lutterworth defended superbly during this opening quarter the highlight being a turnover set up by a crunching tackle by prop, Paul Wilford, followed by a driving maul of some forty yards that took them from their try line to the halfway mark. Against the run of play, Lutterworth took the lead with a fine interception and run in by fullback, Jim Croucher but Syston quickly regained the initiative with another kicked penalty and a try just before half time. During this first forty minutes Lutterworth robbed themselves of possession with an appalling penalty count but Syston failed to capitalise on their good fortune, missing several attempts. The second period promised more of the same when another conceded penalty set up Syston to drive over for their second try.
With thirty minutes to go, after Bobby Williams kicked three points, replacement and new recruit, Morne Barnado, was brought on in the centre. Barnardo’s pace, power and straight running inspired and rejuvenated the entire team, the pack once again dominated and Lutterworth looked capable of snatching victory. Captain, Dennis Hall, took the ball over from a lineout catch and drive and Williams converted taking the home side to within four points, however the sands of time were running out, Syston defended desperately and held out until the final whistle.
New head coach, Mick Welham, praised the team for their defence in the first quarter and their fine attacking rugby late in the game. He was, however, bitterly disappointed and adamant that strong measures will be taken by The Club ( a past winner on more than one occasion of the Referees’ ‘Whistler Trophy’) to deal with the poor discipline and lack of respect for the referee by both players and spectators.
Scoring: 0-3, 5-3, 5-6, 5-9, 5-14
5-19, 8-19, 15-19.