Luton get the better of Letchworth

The Lutonians were without Centre Steve Ellis who completed his move to the Bedford Blues and looked to build upon last week's 24-24 draw with Romford and Gidea Park.

Rik Hobbs opened the scoring, converting a penalty for an offside offence in just the second minute of the game. Letchworth had an opportunity to level the match but Tom Ansell's effort was struck wide. Hobbs followed up with a second successful penalty kick before "The Beast" Tee Gurure slammed home a try, narrowing the score down to 6 - 5.

Hobbs failed to convert a penalty and Gurure wasted no time in scoring his second try in the 18th minute. Tom Ansell's scored the conversion taking Letchworth ahead 6 - 12 on the scoreboard. In the 24th minute Hobbs penalty smashed off the post keeping the advantage with Letchworth. Five minutes later Letchworth's number 6 Luke Mongston was sent to the sin bin after receiving a yellow card for a dangerous challenge and Chris Davies temporarily required medical attention following a collision.

After some tidy play in the 37th minute from Luton's Chris Thompson found space and buried the 3rd try of the game. Hobbs scored the conversion edging the home side ahead 13 - 12 going into the break.

The second half saw an injection of intensity and the home side took full advantage of Letchworth's complacency. Davies slammed home a try in the 45th minute before both teams decided to bring on some fresh legs. Adam Harris came on for Thompson and Letchworth's Luke Blackman replaced Mongston.

Captain Tom Mehendran got on the score sheet with a wonderful try extending Luton's lead to 23 - 12. Hobbs missed his conversion kick but crowd favourite Tesh Edwards rectified his error, robustly smashing through the opposition's back line giving Luton a fourth try, a comfortable lead and ensuring a bonus point.

Hobbs added another through a conversion before Letchworth's number 2 Kyle Hughes broke free and scored the game's 7th try. Gurure grabbed another making the score 30-24. A frantic Luton were able to hang on despite a bombarding wave of attacks from a determined Letchworth City, eager to get a result. Mehendran saw yellow in the final 10 minutes but Luton picked up the win.

Coach Paul Allen shared his thoughts after the game and expressed his delight with the victory saying the team performed admirably as a unit.

"Happy with the result, we got a bonus point having scored four tries. I think the easiest thing to do is reflect on the victory. It was a collective effort. We stood together which was something perhaps we didn't do so well against Romford in the last game. I don't think individuals can be praised today it was definitely a collective effort."

The Lutonians are away to North Walsham next Saturday and hope to get a result against one of the League's top sides.

"We have taken a few knocks today. North Walsham were unbeaten at home last season. That will be tough but we only lost by two points last season so we will be looking to make some changes. A couple of lads are coming back so we'll see how the knocks are but we are going up there with a lot of confidence. Definitely."

Match Reporter
Farhan Daw