Rugby Union
Lutterworth overcome Stockwood

Lutterworth 32 Stockwood Park 10

Midlands Two East (South)

AFTER dropping points in a draw at Stockwood Park earlier in the season, Lutterworth ensured they did not make the same mistake again on Saturday as they kept the pressure up at the top of the table.

Lutterworth’s tenth victory from 12 starts leaves them second in the table and in confident mood ahead of Saturday’s trip to leaders Peterborough Lions who they trail by five points.

In order to serve a reminder of the tough time they gave Lutterworth in September, Stockwood made the brighter start and kicked an early penalty to strike first.

Fly half Robin Eager was making good ground for Lutterworth each time he kicked ahead but lost line-outs and stolen ball in open play saw the visitors enjoy the better of the first quarter.

As Lutterworth’s scrum finally stirred, scrum half James Lloyd and flanker Joe Sullivan caught Stockwood Park’s nine and ten asleep and with turnover the ball the hosts advanced, pinning the defence back but Stockwood Park survived.

With decisions slowly turning Lutterworth’s way, patience was rewarded when two penalties in quick succession again pinned Stockwood Park back, allowing a set move off a line-out to put second row Adam Welsh in on crash ball to score an unconverted try.

Penalty opportunities for both sides led to Eager extending Lutterworth’s lead whilst a try opportunity for the visitors was held up over the line.

At this point in the contest spectators would not have realised the two sides were from opposite ends of the same table and Lutterworth went in with work to do at 8-3 ahead.

It was a reinvigorated Lutterworth who took to the field in the second half and good pressure at two scrums led to a penalty try which Eager converted.

Luke Evans took an excellent catch directly from the kick off and carried the ball forward before setting up a ruck.

Confidence was clearly beginning to return for the home side as Lutterworth took the ball forward again but forced errors limited the advance.

That was until a loose ball kicked forward saw flanker Joe Sullivan outpace Stockwood Park’s full back and collect to touch down, Eager converted.

Twice Stockwood Park attempted to run the ball out of their 22 as the Lutterworth attack forced errors, eventually a scrum provided the platform for number eight Josh Russell to score before the referee had chance to again penalise their front row.

Another fine catch by Evans from the kick off allowed ball to be released quickly and spun down the back line to winger Bradley Pell who ran past the now tired defence to score.

Having scored two tries in two minutes Lutterworth appeared to relax, allowing Stockwood Park to score a consolation try.

More details about the club can be found by visiting www.lutterworthrfc.com.