Under 15 Match Report

SUNDAY 14th January 2007

Lutterworth 29pts V Northampton Old Scouts 26pts

FLeft it late !

For Lutts first game of the New Year Alex Dann is given the captaincy. The kick off went to Lutts and from the outset it was obvious that this was to be a hard game with both teams needing to shake off the rust and mince pies of a three week Christmas lay off. It was Old Scouts who found their feet first and it was down to Ben Stone, as the last line of defence, to thwart their attempts at the try line, after some lovely handling which saw the ball slicked from wing to wing, Stone proved up to the challenge and the attack was halted. However the pressure was soon back on and despite some valiant defence Old Scouts managed to reach the line and Sam French crossed for the first try of the day with 8 minutes on the clock, the conversion split the uprights 0 - 7.

After the restart the play was confined to mid field for a while and the long Christmas lay off took its toll in the shape of handling errors although the determination from both teams was evident. Gradually, through some penetrating runs, the play moved inexorably towards the Lutts try line and after several minutes of brave defence the line was breached by Sam Spaniard for the Old Scouts second try on 15 minutes, although wobbly, the ball found its way between the posts, 0 - 14. Lutts looked to gain some ground in the next period of play but soon found themselves back deep into their own half after a great clearing kick down field from the Old Scouts full back, their forwards capitalised on position and sped the ball out to the wing where Sam Slovakia crossed for try 3 on 20 minutes, this attempt saw the conversion travel wide of its mark, 0 - 19.

The coaches decided to make a few changes on 25 minutes and the play continued with Ingham making some typically strong and aggressive runs but still the Old Scouts defence held firm halting Thacker only metres short of the try line. Not to be outdone Pell made what was surely a try saving tackle out on the wing. Lutts pushed forward again as the half drew to a close and only an interception by Old Scouts prevented them from celebrating what was going to be their first try of the game. The second half eventually got underway once the ball was recovered from Leeks who was found cuddling it on the side lines! Lutts stepped up the pressure from the start and with more possession started to gain ground, strong runs from the forwards with speed and guile from the centres and backs started to pay off. From a line out 10 metres out, Ingham was held up on the line, this was followed seconds later when Chan stormed the line for Lutts first try 8 minutes into the half, unfortunately the conversion skimmed just wide of the left hand post, 5 - 19. The try inspired the team and the forwards started piling on the pressure with Old Scouts defending manfully on their own line. From a resulting scrum the ball was spun out and after several phases found that man Chan again who crossed for his and Lutts second try on 15 minutes, again the conversion attempt just skimmed wide of the mark, 10 - 19.

At the restart the ball was collected by Ingham and passed through several hands to Williams who dazzled with some fancy footwork and made valuable yards before being brought to ground however he was able offload in the tackle to Barker who was steaming up the wing and proved to be unstoppable to score try 3 for Lutts with 20 minutes on the clock, again the conversion proved illusive, 15 - 19, GAME ON. It was time for Thacker to make his mark on the game, he caught from the kick off and made a typical ground gaining run before off loading the ball which eventually found the hard working Ingham who gained further ground before losing the ball, Barker managed to toe the ball on and just failed to touch it down before it was booted to safety. The ball was being passed wing to wing with Old Scouts playing no small part in the action before it was eventually gathered by Stone who crossed the line for try 4, this time the conversion hit home, 22 - 19. Callum collected from the kick off and made a strong run forward with the whole team in support but Old Scouts defended well and made counter attacks of their own. Luke was tackled well with 20 metres to go and again the ball was spread across the pitch with big tackles going in from both sides however Old Scouts were one tackle short and Ewan sped down the right wing and crossed the line for Lutts 5^th try, again the conversion found its mark, 29 - 19. With time running out Old Scouts hadn’t given up and pounced on a ball lost forwards 20 metres from their try line and sprinted the length of the pitch for Sam Enchanted evening to score under the posts, the conversion was good and the whistle blew to sound the end of an enthralling match, hopefully the cobwebs well and truly blown away, 29 - 26, PHEW!

Coaches comments.

"Some good handling but glaring errors disappointed. With the next County Cup game looming we must work on this and remember that Rugby is a team game and not fot individuals"

Forwards Man of Match:- Mikey Ingham.

Backs:- Ben Stone

Thanks to our newest recruit to the Newsroom: Nick Barker