Lutts win through to Semi-Final!

Lutterworth under 17’s welcomed local rivals Vipers on Sunday, to meet in the Quarter Final of the Leicestershire County Cup. These two strong teams had finished 1^st and 3^rd respectively, in this years under 17’s League so a fierce battle was expected. The big crowd were not disappointed as a great game was eventually won by Lutterworth 17-10.

Lutterworth dominated the first half despite not crossing the try line and they deservedly went ahead through a Greg Littlewood penalty after 17 minutes. The one way traffic continued before a lovely drop goal by Jack Edwards 30 metres out, ensured they left Vipers territory with another 3 points. Vipers made a rare visit to the Lutterworth half but missed the resulting penalty to remain 6 adrift. Vipers then conceded a penalty in the middle of the pitch, which was dully marched 10 metres nearer, twice due to back chatting the referee. Lutts ensured they were fully punished as Littlewood again converted the kick to give his side a 9-0 half time lead.

Vipers looked the livelier from the kick off and were rewarded with an early score as prop Kieran Stone was credited with a push over try in the corner. The difficult kick was missed to make it 9-5 to Lutts. As if stung by this quick try against, Lutterworth immediately marched towards the Vipers line. After two attempts to drive over the line, hooker Peter Rowe finally burrowed his way through to score a great reply. Littlewood missed the difficult kick to make it 14-5. It was now end to end but Lutts left their next visit to the visitor’s territory with yet another Littlewood penalty kick. Vipers then had the last say as scrum half Tom Cox finished a good passing sequence to pop over in the corner. Crucially the kick was missed and Lutterworth snuffed out any more talk of a comeback, to run out

17-10 winners at the close and set up a Semi Final game at home to Hinckley (30^th March).

Head Coach Chris Everard said “It was a good first half but we missed the chance to finish Vipers off with a try or two. Vipers then responded in the second half, but we always looked in control and some solid defence saw us home in the end. Well done both squads for a very entertaining game”.

Lutterworth will have a match from the fixture pool next week with details yet to be announced. The results for the four Quarter Finals are listed below along with the Semi Final draw.

17-10

LUTTS: Try – Rowe

Penalty – Littlewood (3)

Drop Goal – Edwards (1)

VIPERS: Try – Stone & Cox

Quarter Final Results:

1 Oadby Wyggs (0) v (44) Melton Mowbray

2 Leicester Forest (0) v (50) Syston

3 LUTTERWORTH (17) v (10) Vipers

4 Hinckley (P) v (P) Market Harborough (Hinckley awarded game as Market Harborough unable raise a squad)

Draw for Leicestershire County Cup Semi Finals:

(Games to be played on Sunday 30th March)

1 Melton Mowbray v Syston

2 LUTTERWORTH v Hinckley