Luton fall to league leaders Amersham and Chiltern

Luton failed to start the year with a win after losing 10 – 46 to Amersham and Chiltern in their London One North tie.

Debutant Tyler Chant managed to score a try, but it was nothing more than a consolation for his side as the result keeps them rooted to the bottom of the table.

The visitors got off to a good start, pushing Luton back as their players began to pile on the pressure from the start.

It was in the 10th minute that Chiltern got their first points after being awarded a penalty for an infringement in a ruck, which Andy Fluker scored.

The hosts didn’t see much of the ball in the first half as Chiltern dominated possession throughout and 16 minutes in, the visitors got over the line through Tom Blackburn following a five metre scrum.

Just nine minutes later, Chiltern got the ball to the middle of the pitch then played it back out wide to Andy Zair who dived over the line.

Luton started to play better at the half hour mark and got their first points after Jordan Scott was yellow carded for a high tackle on Alex Dola-Lami, with Rick Hobbs scoring the penalty.

The home side seemed to gain momentum after the penalty, passing it amongst each other nicely, but Chiltern defended well against the waves of attack and held them off to go into half time 3 – 15.

Again, the away side started the half brightly and made good ground to get the ball to Joe Butler who scored his first try, Fluker kicking the extras.

The barrage of attack from Chiltern seemed to be ever-lasting as they managed to bundle another try over the line in the 50th minute, this time through Lewis Edwards.

Chiltern continued to enjoy their spell of possession in Luton’s half, attacking continuously and broke through again after Butler sprinted past four men and grounded the ball.

Seven minutes later, Jordan Scott barged his way through the stubborn Luton defence and got over to make it 3 – 39.

The final try from Chiltern came after some good passing between Josh Davies and Butler who managed to score his third try of the game.

Despite the score line, Luton never lost hope and in the final minute of the game, Robert Povey played an exceptional pass over to Chant who span past a man and scored his first try for the club.

Luton manager Dicky Jones is confident that his team can avoid relegation despite just one win so far this season as he said: "It’s going to be a challenge, but a challenge that the boys are well aware of.

"It’s 21 points, it sounds a long way away but in this sport, potentially it’s four wins and then we’re back within a point, so it’s more than doable with the games coming up but it’s going to be tough.

"It’s a disappointing day, we came here knowing it was going to be a hard day at the office for us; we’re pleased to come through it injury-free and we’re glad the boys played with the heart that they played with.

"He (Chant) arrived at Heathrow at five o’clock yesterday so we’re very pleased with his performance. His try was well taken and we’ll see what he’s like in training."