Lutts knocked out in classic encounter!

Lutterworth under 17’s welcomed Mansfield on Sunday, to meet in the Quarter Final of the Midlands Divisional National Cup. This Competition brings together all the County League winners across the Counties in the Midlands and in a classic encounter between two of the strongest teams, Mansfield ran out 23-20 winners, in a most exciting game.

It was end to end as both teams swapped penalties in the first 10 minutes as Mansfield’s Ross Elms kicked one and missed one as Greg Littlewood converted his kick for Lutterworth to make it 3-3. Lutts scored the first try when Will Keeling put through captain Dan Holmes, who took the pass at pace before stepping his way through and over the line. Littlewood converted to make it 10-3. Elms made it two kicks from 3 as he kicked a penalty to get within 4 points and two minutes out from half time Mansfield re-took the lead as quick hands saw the ball moved out to Jonathan Cordin, who dived over in the corner. Elms missed the kick and Lutterworth immediately marched back into Mansfield territory. Quick hands saw Luke Ball put through Keeling who made a lovely jinking run and stepped through the defence to touch down between the posts. Littlewood converted to make it 17-11 at half time.

Mansfield started the better and 2 minutes in there No8 Joe Symcocks made a lovely run down the wing to touch down in the corner. The kick was missed making it 17-16 to Lutterworth. Littlewood then extended the lead as he made it another 100% kicking display by slotting another penalty. However this strong Mansfield side had the last say as winger Jonny Fox made a lovely break to give Mansfield a one point lead. Elms made the difficult kick to make it 23-20 with 10 minutes to go. Lutts had Mansfield on the ropes but they held out to take the game and move onto the Semi-Final.

Coach Mike Rowe said “It’s such a shame that these two class sides had to meet so early in the competition but the result could have gone either way. This was a fantastic advert for rugby at this age group, played in a great spirit despite the high stakes and we wish Mansfield all the very best in the later rounds”.

Lutterworth entertain rivals Vipers in the Leicestershire County Cup Quarter Final next Sunday 9^th March (Ashby Lane, kick off 11.00). The full draw for next Sundays four Quarter Finals are listed below.

20-23

LUTTS: Try – Holmes & Keeling

Conversion - Littlewood (2)

Penalty – Littlewood (2)

MANSFIELD: Try – Cordin, Symcocks & Fox

Conversion – Elms (1)

Penalty – Elms (2)

Draw for Leicestershire County Cup 2008

Quarter Final round Games to be played on Sunday 9th March

Quarter Final Ties

1 Oadby Wyggs v Melton Mowbray

2 Leicester Forest v Syston

3 LUTTERWORTH v Vipers

4 Hinckley v Market Harborough