Rugby Union
Eager holds nerve to see Lutts close gap

Lutterworth 19 Wellingborough 18

Midlands Two East (South)

A FINE display from fly half Robin Eager helped Lutterworth to a dramatic home victory on Saturday as they closed the gap on top of the table Peterborough Lions.

Lutterworth, who travel to third placed Bugbrooke on Saturday, trail Lions by seven points following their weekend defeat against Market Harborough, the same points margin with which they lie clear of Bugbrooke.

The home side made the brighter start with Phillip Daffern and Adam Welsh impressing but Wellingborough somehow kept them at bay.

On the rare occasions the visitors did cross the halfway line, errors allowed Lutterworth to clear but it was Wellingborough who put the first points on the board when kicking a penalty after the hosts were caught off-side.

Lutterworth's pack remained dominant with scrum half James Lloyd and flanker Joe Sullivan hassling the opposition and after winning four penalties in quick succession, Eager levelled the scores.

Richard Bailey collected possession from the restart and after sidestepping Wellingborough's pack he set up a ruck from which another penalty was awarded and Eager made it 6-3.

The pressure continued on the visitors and if Lloyd's kick over the pack was just a foot higher, Eager would have had an uncontested run to the line.

Chris Gregory, Lloyd and Warren Tebb all tried to touch down in the closing stages of the first half but somehow Wellingborough held out to trail just 6-3 at half time.

The first try of the contest arrived soon after the restart when Lutts' back row of Charlie Turner and Joe Sullivan drew defenders and put Bailey in to score, Eager converted.

Wellingborough were instantly given a way back into the contest though when awarded a penalty try.

A superb place kick from Eager gave Lutts the platform to attack again and after Gregory counter-attacked, Wellingborough killed the ball in front of their posts allowing Eager to kick the penalty.

The six-point advantage was cut top three when Wellingborough kicked another penalty before the visitors stunned Lutterworth by going ahead with a try on the right hand side.

Lutterworth battled hard to get themselves ahead again but were met with stubborn resistance until the referee awarded a penalty on halfway for not releasing.

Silence fell as Eager stepped up but that was soon followed by cheers as the ball sailed through the middle of the posts to secure the narrowest of victories.