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1st TEAM   Match Report

Saturday 6th March 2010

League Game

Vipers 5pts  v  Lutterworth  24pts

If Vipers expected to sweep the visitors away in the manner of their forty point win at Lutterworth earlier in the season then they were in for a big surprise! A rejuvenated Lutterworth fifteen comprehensively outplayed their hosts in every department starting with the set piece and finishing with some classy play by the backs, a well-spring of talent barely out of short trousers. A good win needs to begin with a solid platform and from the whistle the One, Two Three Club of fire-breathing Tom Kilburn, captain, Paul Riley and athletic Rich Jones showed no mercy as Lutterworth dominated the early scrums. The Lutterworth pack meant business from the outset, the back row of Stannard, Randle and Sands were tireless and pushed the opposition onto the back foot and into errors and infringements that ultimately cost them the game.

In terms of possession and territory the first fifteen minutes belonged to Vipers, a clumsy drop of the ball by their winger on the try line was followed by several superb defensive scrums by Lutterworth. The home side was further frustrated by an imperious performance from the centre partnership of Goldsworthy and Eager who controlled the midfield all afternoon. A yellow card reduced Lutterworth to fourteen but the ten minutes that followed laid the foundation for victory, Robin Eager slotted one converted penalty and again it was fine defensive work, this time by winger, Joe Ball, that led to a second visit to the host’s twenty two, another successful penalty kick by Eager and a six point lead when Rob Sands returned to the field. Towards the end of the half Dan Ford charged down a clearance kick and Goldsworthy was on hand to blast over in the corner. A very satisfactory first half lead of eleven to nil; forged from great defence and by grasping the opportunities of a handful of forays into the opposition twenty two.

After the break, for a short time, Lutterworth lost a little of their earlier concentration and shape but it was that man Eager who steadied the ship with two more fine penalty conversions. Vipers had been reduced to an ill disciplined rabble but half way through the half they hit back with a great run and breakaway try by their left wing. Vipers re grouped and began a fight back that was, alas, too late in the day and after a great try saving collection and clearance by Aaron Dan, a rare missed penalty by Eager, Lutterworth hit back with their best passage of play. It was no surprise to see a brilliant back row combination started by  Dave Stannard who, ball in hand, burst through a bemused defence supported by Matt Randle and scrum half Adam Higgins but the final hard yards to the line were made by no other than the low flying missile that is Rob Sands.

Despite setbacks and disappointments this season this is a talented, promising Lutterworth squad which showed it’s capabilities with a true fifteen-man performance that will bring immense satisfaction to its stoic coaches.

Try Scorers; Goldsworthy, Sands

Penalties;  Eager (4)

Conversions; Eager (1)

Scoring: 0-3, 0-6, 0-11, 0-14, 0-17, 5-17, 5-24.

Team                               Kilburn  Riley  Jones

                                                Evans  Wilson

                                        Randle   Stannard   Sands      

                                                 Higgins  Ford

                             Ball  Eager  Goldsworthy  Daffern

                                                       Dann

Replacements;       Johnson  Deacon  Nolan

Lutterworth Man of the Match;  Tom Kilburn