Lutts knocked out in classic Semi Final battle!

Lutterworth under 17’s welcomed local rivals Hinckley on Sunday, to meet in the Semi Final of the Leicestershire County Cup. These two strong teams always seem to produce a classic game, so a fierce battle was expected. The big crowd were not disappointed as a great game was eventually won by Hinckley 16-9.

Lutterworth took an early lead through a Greg Littlewood penalty, but were soon to fall behind to a try from prop Jack Loveday. The massive Hinckley pack had 2 attempts to push him over the line, before succeeding on the 3^rd push. Scrum half Chris Cooke converted the difficult kick to give his side a 7-3 lead. The game heated up as both teams were reduced to 14 men for 10 minutes, before Littlewood had another penalty to pull within a point of the visitors. The difficult kick was narrowly missed. Lutts were then immediately punished for that miss as Cooke converted a penalty of there own to give Hinckley a 10-3 half time lead.

Lutts came out determined and took first blood as Littlewood kicked his 2^nd successful penalty kick from 40 metres out. Try as they might the powerful Hinckley set of forwards were keeping the Lutterworth backs at bay. Cooke completed an excellent kicking display as he slotted another 2 penalties, before Littlewood replied with a kick of his own, making it 9-16 going into the last 10 minutes. The home side attacked from every area of the pitch but this impressive Hinckley side tackled everything that moved. And when ever Hinckley had the ball, they simply kept it in the hands of their forwards, keeping possession and running down the clock. Eventually time ran out and the visitors had won there way to a Cup Final date with Syston, who beat Melton Mowbray 11-10 in the other Semi Final.

A disappointed Head Coach Chris Everard said “It was a massive game between the two different styles, as the powerful Hinckley forwards came up against the fast and skilful Lutterworth backs. Our visitors today were extremely well drilled and played out their game plan brilliantly. The better side on the day won and we wish the Hinckley boys all the very best in the Final”.

Lutterworth will travel to the Solihull based side Camp Hill next week, with the kick off at 11.00AM.

9-16	LUTTS: Try – Nil Penalty – Littlewood (3) VIPERS: Try – Loveday Conversion – Cooke (1) Penalty – Cooke (3)

Semi Final Results:

1 Lutterworth (9) v (16) Hinckley

2 Melton Mowbray (10) v (11) Syston

Leicestershire County Cup Final details:

(Game to be played on Sunday 13^th April at Market Harborough)

Hinckley v Syston