London One North: Luton 24 (19) v Tabard 7 (7)
Luton recorded their fourth consecutive bonus point win on Saturday, beating a resilient Tabard 24-7 at a wet Newlands Road.

In a match where territory was very important for both teams to get the upper hand in, it was Luton who struck the first blow. In the 12th minute of the match, Luton forced their ways onto the Tabard try line after some good kicking from the back three.

Whilst on the try line, the Tabard defence were strong and managed to withstand the pressure from their hosts. Tabard thought they escaped the pressure when winning a line-out five metres out by forcing scrum-half Tom Mahendran into touch. However the line-out was brilliantly stolen by Luton’s Michael Weston, from this the forwards tried to force their way over, sucking the Tabard defence into the rucks. Luton then flung the ball out wide, where winger Doug Fluker was in space in the corner to score in the corner. The conversion was missed by Rik Hobbs on the right touchline, giving Luton a 5-0 lead after 11 minutes.

Luton scored their second try just seven minutes later after more pressure on the Tabard try line. Daniel Blinkhorn, who was proving to be a constant thorn in the Tabard defence, was the man to score the try after the using his strength to force his way over from close range.

Luton managed to get their way into Tabard territory after some poor defence from the visitors, allowing Luton runners to constantly make line breaks and forcing themselves over the gain line. This constant pressure and phase by phase attacking from the hosts was a successful tactic in conditions that didn’t favour free-flowing running rugby.

With the scoreline reading 12-0 to Luton, after Rik Hobbs’ conversion, Luton’s backs showed what they could do in broken field. After some poor kicking from Tabard, Rik Hobbs showed a quick turn of speed to break their defensive line and reach the 22m line. With Tom Wilmore on his outside and in space, Hobbs gave a simple pass to the full-back and it looked like he was going to score in the corner.

However Tabard full back Elliott Hurrell managed to get back to complete a high-tackle on his opposite number, something that resulted in a penalty for Luton. Opting to go for another try rather than the three points, Luton kicked to the corner. From the successful line-out, Luton attempted to power them over the line with a rolling maul, however the Tabard forwards withstood the pressure. Luton then freed the backs and an excellent line by Jake Hobbs punctured his way through the Tabard defence to complete a simple score under the posts. Luton’s bravery to go for the try paid off and Rik Hobbs made the conversion, stretching Luton’s lead to 19-0 after 22 minutes.

Tabard, who were having as much territory as Luton in the first half but struggling to stretch Luton’s defence, found their only score after 34 minutes. Tabards quick right winger Joe Calnan exploited a rare gap in the Luton defence, forcing his way deep into the Luton 22 before good scramble defence stopped him just before the line. However from the resulting phases, Tabards Captain Cameron O’Connor burrowed his way over the try line from two metres out, with the conversion converted by Jack Reilly, the score read 19-7 at half time.

The second half started with almost complete territory domination by Tabard, with Luton struggling to get out of there half for the first 20 minutes of the second half. Tabard had numerous attacks and phases, with plenty of attacks on the try line. However the visitors were constantly left frustrated with handling errors and great defensive work by Luton, something that remained constant throughout the game.

Luton started to have more attacks in the last 20 minutes of the match, with their fourth and final try coming in the 74th minute. Doug Fluker tapped down in the right corner after a lovely grubber kick from Rik Hobbs behind the Tabard defence, wrong-footing the visitors’ backline and resulting in Luton to secure the four try bonus point.

However whilst the try was being scored, Luton’s Ben Murphy suffered concussion during the build-up to the try, resulting in the forward having to receive lengthy treatment on the pitch and paramedics having to be called to the scene. The remaining three minutes of the match was played on the pitch parallel to the main pitch, to allow paramedics to continue to treat Murphy.

Luton: Sam Pacey (Dwayne Duffy 40), Ben Murphy, Marc Tindall (Adam Harris 57), Daniel Blinkhorn, Tom Albone, Ryan Staff, Michael Weston, Jack Elston, Tom Mahendran (Aidan Kenny 40), Rik Hobbs, Brandon Lewsey, Steve Ellis, Jake Hobbs, Doug Fluker, Tom Wilmore.

Tabard: Bill Lake, Jack Girdlestone (Nick Westlake 47), Wilf Lake, Sam Barrow, Paul Fagan, Cameron O’Connor, Tom Davies (Daniel Calnan 47), Scott Stoba, Harry Gough, Jack Reilly, Jermiane Ijieh, George Stevens (Scott Clewlow 67), Gerald Arasa, Joe Calnan, Elliott Hurrell.
Referee: Nicola Reynolds
Touch judges: Jeremiah Hanafin and Johnny Power

Luton man of the match: Daniel Blinkhorn, his great work rate and strength provided great go forward ball for Luton, and was heavily involved in defence.