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1st TEAM   Match Report

Saturday 28th April 2007

Midlands 3 East Promotion  Play-Off

LUTTERWORTH  1st XV: 3pts  v  BANBURY 1st XV 21pts

Any thoughts of personal safety or self preservation were left behind in the changing rooms by thirty eight players all determined to take the stage in Midlands Two next season. This was a magnificent occasion witnessed by a crowd of several hundred but unfortunately for Lutterworth their dream of promotion was dashed by a Banbury side ultimately technically superior in all departments and who at the end of a long hot afternoon looked stronger and fitter.

The game began at a frantic pace, both sides feeling the pressure and struggling to gain their composure. Lutterworth’s defence during the opening quarter was tested almost to breaking point by a barrage of Banbury’s heavy artillery. The home side conceded three consecutive line outs in their twenty-two, brilliantly repelling phase after phase of well constructed attacks but eventually Banbury converted a second penalty attempt to take the narrowest of leads. Spurred into action, the Lutterworth pack rampaged into the Banbury twenty-two and this time it was the visitor’s turn to defend equally stoically. Five minutes of pressure and promising attacks left Lutterworth unrewarded even as after the forwards crossed the line the ball was deemed to have been held up. A quarter of the way through what had become an enthralling contest the sides looked evenly matched but the defining moment came when an uncharacteristically poor Lutterworth scrum allowed the Banbury back line to break. Their winger touched down after finding himself in the open space left by his opposite number, Phil Daffern, resting under the posts thanks to a yellow card issued minutes earlier for a late tackle. They converted the try and suddenly what became Banbury’s half time lead of ten points to nil looked formidable if not insurmountable.

The break did not help Lutterworth, Banbury and especially their back row forwards (who were formidable during the entire game) dominated the next quarter, it was fitting that one of those three, the number eight, ran the ball in for a second try that put the game beyond Lutterworth’s reach. Despite Bobby Williams kicking three points, the mountain for Lutterworth appeared now too steep to climb especially against a side looking very comfortable and composed sitting on the cushion of a fifteen point lead. Lutterworth managed to get the ball wide on a couple of occasions but fumbled the final passes and the coup de grace was a Banbury penalty converted just before the final blow on the whistle.

Whilst Banbury now look forward to what will undoubtedly be a challenging time in Midlands Two East, Lutterworth will be looking to taking the honours in Midland Three East North next season.

A further highlight of the afternoon took place in the Clubhouse after the game. Ex Lutterworth lad and rising English star, Dan Williams, presented the Club with one of his five England shirts worn during the RBS Six Nations Under Eighteen Competition (won by England). Dan has now signed a three-year contract with Gloucester; all at Ashby Lane wish him great success and will follow his career with close interest.

Scoring: 0-3;  0-10;

              0-13; 3-13; 3-18; 3-21.

Team;                     Wilford   A.Johnson.  Stevens

                                        Conway  Evans

                                  Gregory   Hall     Davies

                                             Bell   Court                      

                          Daffern  Williams Donovan  Stretton 

                                               Jeffs

Reps;      Riley   Sands  Carter  Newman