1st TEAM Match Report
Saturday 12th January 2008
Senior Vase Round 5
LUTTERWORTH 1st : 12pts v Sutton Coldfield 1st : 19pts
Today Lutterworth welcomed visitors Sutton Coldfield to Ashby Lane in the 5th round of the national senior Vase. A close game was anticipated with both sides well placed in their respective and equal level Midland 3 leagues – Sutton Coldfield riding high at the top of Midland 3 West ( South ) having lost just one league game so far this season. With around 80 local supporters attending a pre-match luncheon a big crowd was on hand to enjoy a match to be played in glorious sunshine.
The players on both sides responded to provide an open and entertaining game with the visitors having first half advantage of the breeze and the sun on their backs. Indeed Lutterworth found themselves under pressure for most of this first half partly due to Sutton Coldfields full use of the elements and enterprising use of their speedy and impressive threequarters, but also through some poor defensive work by the home side. Missed tackles in fact presented the visitors with two soft tries during this period. The first came after just 10 minutes of the game when the opposition loose head prop was allowed the freedom to waltz in from as far away as Lutterworths 10 metre line with barely a hand, and definitely not a tackle, to impede his stroll. A front rows dream score and with hardly any embellishment needed he will be reliving this for many years to come ! Following an easy conversion, 7-0 to SC. Rather against the run of play though Lutterworth scored a try of their own five minutes later when, in a rare visit to opposition territory, a charged down clearance kick allowed winger Phil Daffern the chance to dive on the loose ball over the try line.
The wind at this point was fairly strong, but Lutterworth forwards were beginning to get into their stride at scrums and rucks to restrict the ball flowing to the opposition threes who looked dangerous every time they received the ball. It was the Sutton Coldfield forwards however who notched the next try on 25 minutes with a classic lineout take and drive to take the score to 12-5 in their favour. Being on the receiving end of so much first half pressure against the elements Lutterworth would not have been too unhappy with just a 7 point deficit. Unfortunately another piece of sloppy defence and missed tackling from a set piece play let in the opposition inside centre for the easiest of tries under the post with five minutes of the half to play. 19-5 to Sutton Coldfield
The second half started brightly for the home team. Now with the sun and wind at their backs the home forwards lifted themselves and maintained a long period of pressure in the opposition 22. Eventually the defence cracked after a series of 5 metre scrums with a quick ball and a lovely offload by back row Mark Ellis freeing a link to winger Sam Perry who sneaked in at the corner. A terrific touchline conversion by Bobby Williams brought the score to 12-19 and gave the supporters hope. This however proved to be the final score of the game with this impressive Sutton Coldfield side seemingly moving up a gear and showing why they are top of their league. Their threes in particular were speedy of leg and thought displaying some delightful passages of running and passing rugby which Lutterworth did well to contain through some scrambled defence.
On the day Sutton Coldfield were worthy winners although Lutterworth might rue those first half missed tackles which led to two soft tries and 12 easy points to the opposition!
A special mention for Mark Ellis who after the game announced his retirement from playing. Mark has been a wonderful player and ambassador for our Club and has personally achieved much during his career highlighted with England representative honours. We wish him well and feel sure he will be equally successful in his coaching career. Thanks from all of us Ella
Scoring: 0-7; 5-7; 5-12; 5-19;12-19
Wilford Riley Stevens
Evans Gregory
Conway Ellis Randle
Court Croucher
Daffern Williams Nolan Perry
Bell
Reps: I Johnson