Dave Brennan scored three tries as Luton recorded their first win of the season in the Luton One North league, as they defeated North Walsham 39-15 at Newlands Road.

Luton bounced back impressively from last week’s close encounter, as they ran in four second half tries to secure the much needed bonus point victory.

Both teams started the game strong and both got on the scoreboard in the first 10 minutes when successful penalties from Rik Hobbs and Henry Dewing tied the scores 3-3.

The visitors got themselves on the scoreboard again in the 13th minute when a driving maul from an attacking line-out allowed Mike Rouse to touch down for an unconverted try in the 13th minute.

North Walsham took control of the game from this point with a precise kicking game that kept Luton trapped deep into their own half and they had the chance to further increase their lead in the 24th minute but Dewing missed the simple penalty from in front of the up-rights.

The hosts then got themselves back into the game with another successful penalty from Rik Hobbs, when North Walsham were caught offside after centre Steve Ellis broke 30m down field.

Luton got on the score sheet again seconds later after the impressive Michael Weston gathered the restart to bust through three defenders to race 40 meters before being brought down and some quick hands on the next play created the over-lap for Dave Brennan to place down for an unconverted try to take the score to 11-8 Luton.

The momentum had totally swung and the hosts started to break the Vikings defence on regular occurrence as Weston’s power looked too much for the tiring defence and Luton had another chance to get on the board when Brennan coasted down the wing but lost control of the ball in the tackle five meters from the try line.

Paul Allen, Head Coach of Luton would have been happy with the first half performance as the hosts finished the half in complete control but everything was still to play for in the second half as Luton held a slim 11-8 lead at the break.

Luton got off to a dream start in the second half as Ellis broke 60 meters down the right edge before drawing in the full back to feed Brennan who raced under the post to score his second of the match, Rik Hobbs converted.

Luton took full control of the game and scoreboard in the 51st minute when a set move from a scrum allowed full back Doug Fluker to coast through before stepping the opposition full back to score under the sticks. Jake Hobbs converted, 25-8 Luton.

Will Hodgson gave the visitors some hope of getting something out of the game in the 59th minute when numerous strong drives created room for the centre to score a converted try.

But their hopes were short lived as Fluker grabbed his second try, three minutes later with an identical try to his first as the same set move from a scrum allowed him to coast through before steeping the full back to place down for a converted try.

Luton finally put the game to bed in the 69th minute when great work from Weston created room for Brennan to race 50 meters to place down under the posts for his third try of the game and another Rik Hobbs conversion secured the 39-15 victory.

Luton Team: Daniel Blinkhorn, David Irvine (Sam Pacey 45), Jack Elborn, Pat Nelly (C), Tom Albone, Ryan Staff, Kevin Scales (Matt Yang 60), Mike Weston, Tom Mahendren, Rik Hobbs (Tom Wilmore 43), Will Affleck, Steve Ellis, Jake Hobbs, Dave Brennan, Doug Fluker. T: Dave Brennan (3), Doug Fluker (2). C: R.Hobbs (2), J.Hobbs (2). P: R.Hobbs (2)

North Walsham Team: Stuart Loose, Dan Goodrich (Mark McCall 46), Ben Campbell (Tom Williams 34), Tom Coller (Callum Cashman 46), Chris Kent (C), Mike Rouse, Chris Godwin, Matt Oakes, Henry Dewing, Rhys Davis-Horne, Chad Seeley, Will Hodgson, James Knight, Jake Colman, Shane Van Vurren. T: Rouse, Hodgson. C: Dewing P: Dewing

Referee: Tim Simmons Touch Judges: Jeremiah Hanafinn and Richard Hewitt

Star Luton: Micheal Weston. His strength in attack created havoc and was instrumental in Luton’s last try.

Adam Busfield