Under 17 Match Report
Sunday 24th February 2008
Luctonians 21pts v Lutterworth 23pts
Lutterworth steal it at the end!
Lutterworth under 17’s had a long journey to Luctonians RFC in Herefordshire on Sunday, to meet one of the strongest teams in the Midlands. The 2 hours drive was well rewarded when they ran out 23-21 winners in a most exciting, entertaining, end to end game.
Lutts took control early on with a lovely score from Simon Johnson. Dan Holmes put through Greg Littlewood who made great ground before passing out to Johnson, who was on his shoulder and he ran in between the posts. Littlewood converted the easy kick. Lutterworth continued to dominate the half and were soon rewarded with a penalty which Littlewood duly converted from the 22. Just before half time Dan Robson made a superb run from deep in his own half, making great ground before the home side gave away another penalty. Littlewood was on fire as he once again converted the difficult kick to make it 13-0 at half time.
Luctonians made some changes and with the benefit of the wind in their favour they started to take control. An early score got them back into the game as brilliant hands saw the ball end up with Mark Galpin. He stepped his way through to touch down. Will Hodnett successfully converted the kick. 10 minutes of further pressure from Luctonians was rewarded with a second try and the lead. Once again great hands saw the ball moved out to Dan Smith who forced his way though. Hodnett again kicked the two points to make it 14-13 to the home side. Lutterworth regained the lead when Littlewood made it 3 penalties from 3 to make it 16-14. And then this see-saw game saw Luctonians re-take the lead as Jack Lines made a lovely run from the half way line to touch down. Hodnett made it 3 conversions from 3 and 21-16 to Luctonians. Lutterworth then upped a gear in the last 10 minutes, to camp on the home side’s 5 metre line. Drive after drive was held up before they received a 5 metre penalty which was quickly taken by hooker Peter Rowe. His fellow forwards drove for all their might and this final fantastic effort against a big set of home forwards was rewarded with Rowe being pushed over for the last minute try, to level up the score 21-21. Littlewood then stepped up and made it a 100% kicking display with a fantastic pressure conversion which was eventually given, after discussion with the touch judge and referee. The whistle was blown immediately, to confirm it an away win to Lutts, 23-21.
Head Coach Chris Everard said “Lutts had a brilliant first half and I was really pleased with our all round play. We faced up to Luctonians in the second half and it was great to see us dig deep and pull out a game winning score at the death. Well done to both teams for a fantastic game and thank you Luctonians, this has been great preparation for both teams for next weeks Midlands Cup Quarter Final games”.
Lutterworth entertain Mansfield in Midlands Cup Quarter Final next Sunday 2nd March (Ashby Lane, kick off TBC), while Luctonians entertain Burton in the Plate Quarter Final. The full draw for next Sundays four Midlands competitions are below, with the Leicestershire teams in bold.
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23-21 |
LUTTS: Try – Johnson & Rowe Conversion - Littlewood (2) Penalty – Littlewood (3)
LUCTONIANS: Try – Gaplin, Smith & Lines Conversion – Hodnett (3) |
Draw for National 17s Competition 2008
Midlands Quarter Final round Games to be played on Sunday 2nd March
National Cup Draw (For the County Champions)
1 LUTTERWORTH vs. Mansfield
2 Old Coventrians vs. Moseley
3 Sleaford vs. Ampthill
4 Lichfield vs. Worcester
National Plate Draw (For the County Runners Up)
1 Nottingham vs. Camphill
2 Towcestrians vs. SYSTON
3 Luctonians vs. Burton
4 Nuneaton vs. Newark
National Bowl Draw (For the County 3rd Place)
1 Kenilworth vs. Leighton Buzzard
2 Burntwood vs. Bridgnorth
3 Droitwich vs. VIPERS
4 MELTON MOWBRAY vs Buxton
National Shield Draw (For the County 4th Place)
1 Berkeswell and Balsall vs. Bromsgrove
2 Oundle vs MARKET BOSWORTH
3 Derby vs. Willenhall
4 Stourbridge vs Rugby Lions