Nuneaton 31 Lutterworth 26

The Nuns rounded off the half way stage of the season with a hard earned 31-26 win over Lutterworth on Saturday. A dominant first half display from the Nuns laid the foundations for a win which closed the gap on the top 3 in the league. The other big game in the league between top Northampton Old Scouts and 2nd placed Market Harborough was postponed due to the frost meaning that 3 points currently separate the top 4 in the league.

The Nuns secured four tries in the first half through two penalty tries and one each for Tom Smitham and Martin Wood. Lucas Brindley added 2 conversions and a penalty.

The game didn’t quite get off to a perfect start as Adie Hall picked up a 2nd minute yellow card for a late tackle. From the penalty, Lutterworth kicked to the corner and set up a main. After repelling the drive the visitors move the ball a bit wider then worked an overlap using their extra man to score through their prop in the corner, with the conversion they lead 0-7 after 4 minutes.

The Nuns started to get themselves back into the game now and were earning some penalties to work themselves up the pitch. In the 16th minute, after a penalty was awarded a scrum was chosen 10m out. Number 8 Wood picked up from the base and crashed through two tackle attempts to score. Brindley added the ext6ra’s to bring the scores all level after 16 minutes, 7-7.

The Nuns were now showing some dominance in the set piece exchanges. From a turnover penalty, the ball was kicked into the 22m for a line out. The maul was set up and taken forward. Play was recycled and moved across the pitch where another penalty was awarded as the visitors struggled to contain the Nuns. Another scrum was chosen and this time as the Nuns nudged forwards from 8m the referee awarded a penalty try as Lutterworth stood up under pressure, 14-7 after 24 minutes.

Just a few minutes later and the Nuns were pressing again. From a lineout on the attacking 22m ball was secured and the visitors stopped the maul illegally. Smitham was first to react and from a quickly taken penalty he stepped through the defence to cross for a third try converted by Brindley to extend the lead to 21-7 after 28 minutes.

The momentum carried on for the Nuns. From the kick off the ball failed to travel 10m. Play restarted from a scrum on the centre field. Wood picked up and charged through the defence on a 40m break. From the ruck just short of the try line Lutterworth were penalised for not getting onside to stop the play and the referee awarded a second penalty try plus a yellow card for the Lutterworth winger. The try bonus point was secured with the lead now 28-7 after 31 minutes.

Lutterworth are at the top end of the table for a reason though and they hit back just before half time. After being awarded a penalty they kicked for the corner for the line out. Securing ball they set up a maul which the Nuns first stopped illegally. After repeating the drill they scored second time around but missed with the conversion. The score was 28-12 after 37 minutes and this stayed like this through to half time.

The second half started well for the Nuns. After forcing an error off the kick off they were awarded a scrum. The ball was moved infield and a high tackle penalty awarded. Brindley stepped up to add 3 points from the tee and extended the lead to 31-12 on 43 minutes.

The Nuns then put themselves under pressure from the kick off. The clearance kick was charged down and Lutterworth gathered the ball. After a number of phases were held back they were awarded a scrum under the posts. The ball was played out and their full stepped through a tackle to score from 5m’s. The conversion was added and the score was 31-19 on 46 minutes.

Momentum started to shift to the visitors as some inaccuracies in discipline and with the ball crept into what the Nuns were trying to do. Lutterworth were able to work down field and create some pressure. The Nuns defence was holding firm and bodies were being put on the line. Eventually the pressure told and the ball worked wide for their 4th try of the afternoon. With a conversion added the score was now 31-26.

As the game entered the last quarter the Nuns got themselves back into the ascendancy. After retaining some possession they were awarded a penalty which was kicked deep into the 22m. The ball was secured and as the maul moved forward the referee deemed the ball held up. From the ensuing scrum, Wood picked and carried and he was again adjudged to be held up and a goal line drop out awarded.

Lutterworth had one last period to try and win the game but the Nuns defence held firm. Repelling a number of attacks and then forcing a mistake. From the set scrum a penalty was won and pressure relieved. The game then finished with another home penalty and the ball kicked dead for the final whistle.

A strong all round performance from the Nuns and a win that clawed more ground against teams above them. Unfortunately the top of the table clash between Northampton Old Scouts and Market Harborough was frozen off.

Head Coach Huw Thomas’s thoughts “The players have worked really hard again to win today. Lutterworth threw a lot at us but we didn’t panic and held strong. First half we were excellent and converted every chance he had in attack. We knew they would come back at us and they didn’t disappoint. We then had a chance to stretch the lead late on and although we didn’t score we took back momentum. Our scrum today fired for 80 minutes and that made the difference.”

1 James Redman 2 Toby Dearden 3 Ben Dawes 4 Adie Hall 5 Tom Aherne 6 James Lloyd 7 Todd Bullions 8 Martin Wood 9 Tom Smitham 10 Lucas Brindley 11 Travis Bennett-Allcock 12 Tom Eales 13 Ryan Preston 14 Takudzwa Chawadya 15 Stewart Davies; 16 Ben Holmes 17 Nick Walton 18 George Wallis