Match report Syston u14 v Lutterworth, Belgrave v Lutterworth

18th November Syston 5 Lutterworth 10

After a run of matches without a win albeit in some very close games, Lutterworth chose the worst weekend of the season so far weather wise to produce a fantastic team performance which saw off a determined Syston side.

Lutterworth played with the elements at their backs in the first half and proceeded to batter their opponents in unrelenting fashion. Although Lutterworth had the possession and the territory, they found it difficult to finish off their moves, largely due to the inhospitable weather making handling extremely patchy. Despite this, points had to come, and it was Tom Freer who eventually scored from one of Lutterworth's many attacks.

For all their pressure, it seemed to the spectators that one try with the wind at their backs was not going to be enough. At the start of the second half, Syston took the role of aggressor and matched Lutterworth's first half territorial dominance. A try soon came from the Syston pack.

If Syston thought this would result in a crumbling of the Lutterworth team resolve, they were wide of the mark. Lutterworth stepped it up a gear and managed a period of sustained pressure in the Syston half which resulted in a superb controlled try from the forwards in open play. Although the conversion was missed, Lutterworth's dominance was never in question for the rest of the game and in the end were well deserved winners.

Belgrave 20, Lutterworth 0

As part of a double header at Syston, Lutterworth also played a Belgrave side looking for match time. Belgrave started strongly with the wind, or perhaps it was more a case of Lutterworth starting slowly after a difficult preparation in the conditions. Two quick tries resulted before the Lutterworth team got out of their stride. However, when they did get into the game some storming play from the forwards, notably James Fox, carried the Lutterworth team into the Belgrave half. Despite having some pressure, it was always a case of letting the opposition off the hook with one or two missed tackles. Belgrave certainly had the strong runners to take advantage of the lapses in the Lutterworth defence. Tom Reddin, leading from the front, galvanised his troops into greater efforts for the second half. James Fox again led the way, making a 25 metre run to the posts only to be held up over the line.

As time went on, Lutterworth began to tire and Belgrave took advantage with two late breakaway tries to make the score 20 nil to Belgrave. A scoreline which didn't really reflect the effort and level of performance of several of the Lutterworth players, but which also showed the importance of making those first up tackles against strong running backs.

Two more games this week, Hinkley A and a return match against Belgrave, both at Belgrave.

Match Report: Lutts u14 v Towcester

Lutterworth u14 3 , Towcester 7 21st October 2007

Another desperately close game saw Lutterworth u14 take on Towcester and finish up on the losing side. If pressure and possession counted for anything, then Lutterworth would have walked this game. Lutterworth pounded the Towcester line in the early part of the half, the pressure resulting in a well struck penalty from Lemmon. Towcester hit back through a try from close range from their number 8 who was the pivotal player in their side. The res of the game was a story of Lutterworth just not quite making the most of their opportunities. Try as they might, they could not cross the whitewash, and Towcester held firm to run out 7- 3 winners.

The last 20 minutes was played as a development game to allow some meaningful game time for all the players. With Towcester best player, the number 8 staying on the field, it was always going to be a difficult task, but Lutterworth constructed a great try from a scrum in centre field. The ball was moved by Lee-Everton to Luke, who blasted past 2 defenders. When he was finally hauled down, quick hands resulted in a huge overlap, which was converted in to a try. The conversion was narrowly missed by Lemmon.

Match report Lutterworth u14s v Barker Butts

Barker Butts 14, Lutterworth 5; 14th October 2007

A slightly depleted side travelled to Coventry to take on Barker Butts. Unfortunately, as the referee blew the whistle for the start of the game, it quickly became apparent that Lutterworth were still thinking about other things, as the Barkers Butts forwards took control of the ball and executed some very simple pick and drive which coupled with basic support play saw them score near the posts. A conversion was slotted, and Lutts found themselves 7 -0 down without having had a touch of the ball.

The shock of conceding a quick try seemed to galvanise the Lutterworth boys into action, and for the next 25 minutes, Barker Buts hardly ventured back into the Lutterworth half. The pressure was rewarded when following a passage of phase play from Lutterworth, the ball was moved to Conor Warburton who feinted inside then showed his class to take his opposite number on the outside and score in the left hand corner. Lemmon was unable to convert.

Despite having all the possession and territory in the first half, Lutterworth were unable to add to the score, and turned around in positive mood for the second half. The second half was much more even, with Barkers Butts having been read the riot act by their coaches, they began to compete more forcefully at the breakdowns and win more possession. With the Lutterworth forwards tiring under the onslaught, the inevitable score came again from the Barkers Butts forwards and was duly converted.

Despite a huge last effort from Lutts, no further score was added. Final score 14 -5 to Barkers Butts