Luton show their true colours to sweep aside Ruislip

In a match that was played in wet and windy conditions, Luton earned the victory through resilience and hard work.

Playing with the wind and downhill in the first half, Ruislip were on top for the first thirty minutes. The hosts pinned Luton inside the 22 for the majority of the play, with phase after phase coming at the Luton defence.

However great defensive work and discipline from the whole team ensured no penalties were given away and Ruislip were unable to convert their pressure into points. As Ruislip were getting frustrated with not breaking down the Luton defence, the visitors slowly began to get on top themselves and showed their hosts how to score in the 29th minute.

With Luton’s first meaningful venture into the Ruislip 22, good running from the forwards forced the gain line to be on the Ruislip try line. Luton were clinical in exerting their pressure into points with Michael Weston, who scored two tries in the win over Bedford Athletic last week, scurrying over from close range to the right of the posts. In terrible conditions for kicking, Rik Hobbs was unable to convert and Luton had a five point lead.

On the 34th minute, Luton doubled their lead. A great kick from Rik Hobbs forced Ruislip into a line-out five metres from their own line. Pat Nelly then won the line-out for Luton, turning the ball over in a dangerous area of the pitch. The ball moved through the hands of the backs and Dave Brennan was out wide to side-step Ruislip’s Ian Clancy and score in the left corner.

Despite a first half dominated by Ruislip, Luton’s superb tackling, discipline and work-rate meant their lead was 0-10 at half time.

Luton only needed two minutes to score in the second half, the half where the visitors had the elements on their side. A scrum 40 metres out was won and Tom Mahendran, playing at full-back, exploited a gap in the Ruislip defence. Using his pace he nearly scored but scramble defence from Ruislip stopped him; however winger Doug Fluker was on his shoulder to score in the left corner.

Luton’s all important fourth try, a try that earned them the bonus point, was scored after 50 minutes. Outside centre Jake Hobbs was passed the ball by his brother, Rik in the Ruislip 22 line. J Hobbs then showed his power to shrug off the Ruislip defence and stretch over to just about ground the ball on the Ruislip try line. With Luton now in a 20-0 lead and with four tries scored, it looked like Ruislip were a beaten team, and so it proved straight from the kick off.

Substitute Connor Sibley caught the ball from the kick off and ran the ball straight back at the Ruislip defence. Forcing himself forward and attracting defenders to him, Sibley offloaded to Weston who showed his pace to get inside Ruislip’s half before offloading to another substitute, Marc Tindall.

Tindall then was in space and showed his power to run straight at the Ruislip backline, in doing so bringing defenders in to try and stop him. Tindall, knowing defenders were coming in for him, saw the space out wide for Jake Hobbs to score his second try in as many minutes.

A great team try scored by Luton straight from the kick-off, not allowing the Ruislip defence to get close to stopping them. Rik Hobbs converted the try under the posts and Luton were leading 0-27.

Luton scored their sixth try through Brandon Lewsey after 62 minutes. Another powerful run from J Hobbs through a tiring Ruislip defence created an overlap on the left wing, with Luton’s third substitute Brandon Lewsey getting himself on the scoreline to go over in the corner.

The scoring was complete in the 66th minute through Tom Mahendran. A Ruislip attack in the Luton half was intercepted by Doug Fluker who ran the length of the pitch and looked like he scored himself but for a great tackle by Ruislip full back Tom Woodstock just before the line. However Luton only needed to win the ball from the ruck to score and they did just that, allowing Mahendran to score under the posts. Rik Hobbs converted and Luton won 0-39.

Luton now welcome Woodford to Newlands Road on Saturday in London One North.

Ruislip: Tom Woodstock, Danny Rowe, Ian Clancy (Mark Coleman 40), Matt Young, Robert Jones, Tim O’Leary, Ian Bevis-Knowles (Samba Malawakula 28), Sam Fieldhouse; Steve Pearham (c), Daniel Barry, Jordan Halnsworth, Mark Porter (Scott Brown 52), Ian Broderick, Samuel Zimba, Paul Reed.

Luton: Sam Pacey, Ben Murphy, Jack Elborn (Marc Tindall 51), Karl Rodell (Connor Sibley 51), Pat Nelly (c), Adam Harris, Michael Weston, Tom Albone; Robbie Smith, Rik Hobbs, Chris Davies, Dave Brennan, Jake Hobbs, Doug Fluker (Brandon Lewsey 48), Tom Mahendran

Referee: Kalvin Withers
Touchjudges: Unknown.

Man of the Match: Pat Nelly, this match was won by the forward pack and the captain lead by example with some great work in defence and set-piece.