U15Bs show character in gritty League win

After a perfectly observed two minute silence, our lads earned a fourth consecutive win against a very big Luton pack which came at the cost of a few injuries. Nevertheless, every player walked (or was carried) off the pitch, justifiably proud of their individual and team efforts.

From the kick off, it was clear that Luton had the advantage in terms of size, but after a great run from full back Jacob C, he managed to get the ball away to Alistair who made a long, meandering run. He used his pace and the support of Will S and Dillon L to draw out defenders, before crossing the try line for the first score of the game. The conversion was slotted away by Will S.

Luton responded with an unconverted try before a collapse in the scrum saw Stortford hooker, Dylan S, leave the pitch with a neck injury. Caleb stepped into the front row and Alec came in as replacement flanker. The short break gave Stortford a chance to regroup and within a minute Joe L caught the Luton defence unawares and broke through their line to score our second try. Alistair stepping up to successfully convert.

With a 5-14 lead at half time changes were made: Paidi replaced George (who had had a great game pushing the boundaries of off-side!) at scrum half and Sam W replaced Thomas M in the second row. Luton also made numerous changes and it paid off for them using size and strength to drive over for an early try and conversion.

The game remained 12-14 for about 15 minutes and could easily have gone either way. Luton piled on the pressure but couldn't turn it into points with Luca, Murray and Sam W putting in mammoth efforts in defence, as well as making carries. After further changes saw Odin having to fill in as flanker to cover for injured Tom N and a few tactical switches between wingers and centres, the boys regained control of the match, changing their tactics and using kicking and pace to make the breakthrough in the final few minutes. Try of the match (month/season?) was a perfectly executed kick and chase by Will S chasing his own ball. It didn't initially look like he was going to be able to get hold of it but a second little grubber kick and it bounced up obligingly into his hands as he ran it over the line. Alistair then converting his second kick. Moments later, in what looked like it might be an action replay, Will kicked ahead again, this time falling onto the ball and popping it up into the on running hands of Nathan who put the game out of Luton's reach. Will could not convert this one though - even with the 'lucky scrum-cap'!

After the high of scoring, Nathan then characteristically threw himself into a tackle on the biggest opposition player and came off second best...but by then it was job done.