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Under 13 Match Report

SUNDAY 9th February 2008

Old Northamptonians  19pts  v  Lutterworth  12pts  

The Lutterworth U13’s travelled to Northampton for what was anticipated to be probably the hardest fixture of the season and so it proved with Lutterworth surrendering their long standing unbeaten record against a superbly drilled Old Northamptonians side who tackled strongly throughout the team and whose passing and ball retention could only be described as superb.

In fact Old Northamptonians won the game inside the first 15 minutes of the first period with a fantastic display of powerful running rugby.  For the first time this season the Lutterworth boys were outplayed during this 15 minute spell in which they were unable to cope with the power and excellent running lines of the Old Northamptonians team. Lutterworth in fact barely managed to venture out of their own half during the first period except following restarts which were promptly moved back into Lutterworth territory. To their credit the boys regrouped during the half time interval and the second half was almost entirely played in the Old Northamptonians half.

George Ball reduced the arrears with a great try following excellent moving of the ball through hands and a fantastic loop round James Gamble. George Ball then scored a further try breaking the Old Northamptonians defensive line on the opposite flank.  This try was duly converted by Tom Bingley. For the remainder of the match Old Northamptonians were pinned in their own half but a string of unforced individual handling errors meant that none of the excellent approach work resulted in further points being scored.

It was testament to the way the Lutterworth boys fought back in the game that what had been a rampant Old Northamptonians side in the first 15 minutes was reduced a desperate rear guard action in the second half to salvage the win.  It is often said that you learn more about your team in defeat than in victory and certainly the Lutterworth coaches and we hope the players learnt more in this game than in many of our recent one-sided victories and hopefully this disappointment will only spur everyone towards greater efforts to ensure that the boys fulfil their potential.