Luton leave it late to tame tough Thurrock

“I was disappointed with the first half but I’m really pleased with the result”, said Luton coach Paul Allen who experienced every possible emotion during this turbulent game.

The away side won 57-19 against Ipswich in the previous game but had eight first team members missing from their line-up. In a surprise turn of events, inside centre Steve Ellis returned for Luton following spells with the Bedford Blues and Old Albanians.

Thurrock started the scoring after 6 minutes when no.10 Hagen Mumba scored the opening try, showcasing his unexpected pace and leaving the Luton back line in his dust. Mumba then stepped up to add the conversion. Luton's 10, Rick Hobbs saw a penalty fly wide and the misery was compounded when Kealan Henry scored Thurrock’s second try which was followed up by another Mumba. conversion 0-14.

In the 19th minute, Luton’s Jonny Wright saw yellow for a foul and was sent to the sin bin. Full back Scott Aspinall then suffered a facial injury resulting in him being substituted and replaced by Jack Elston. The away side continued their attack as Luton tried desperately to absorbing pressure, However Thurrock finally prevailed when Jordan Thorne and Mumba extended the lead to 0-21.

Making his first appearance for the Luton first team, Stuart Tomkinson replaced Temperley and Thurrock’s Mark Sulivan replaced no.9 Alex Jones. Ensuring an impactful debut, Tomkinson bagged Luton’s opening try showing great strength and determination in the process. His effort was further rewarded when, from an acute angle, Hobbs managed to send the ball between the posts, closing the score to 7-21.

Five minutes later, Thurrock restored their advantage following a wonderful build up of passing that allowed winger Nathan Farrell to cross for their 4th try. Maintaining his 100% kicking record, Mumba scored a close range conversion to assure the away side took a comfortable 7-28 lead going into the break.

Allen's half time team talk inspire a more gutsy approach as Luton produced a second half performance in complete contrast to that of the first. Allen’s men grabbed a try just six minutes after the restart. Tomkinson ran into the heart of the Thurrock defence, luring several Thurrock players out of position to find Ellis, who found Teshurn Edwards who teed up Wright for a clear run to the try line. Fly half Rick Hobbs had his kicking boots on and added the conversion to make the score 14-28. Luton were back in the game.

In the 56th minute Thurrock no.5 Dritan Loka was sent to the sin bin and Head Coach David Mobbs-Smith saw fit to readjust his squad. Just when it appeared as though Thurrock had regained their stride, Edwards was gifted the ball close to the line and he ensured Thurrock’s blunder was heavily punished. Hobbs however was unable to extend the lead as he saw his kick rebounded from the upright.

Tempers began to flair and the game entered a spell of physical, scrappy play as Thurrock began to feel the pressure of a revitalised Luton. Thurrock were barely hanging on with every man defending for their lives as they aimed to run down the clock. Nevertheless, second row Karl Rodell had other things in mind, breaking the Thurrock defence to score but again Hobbs was unable to add the extras leaving the score 24-28.

If ever there was a time for Luton it was now. Thurrock kicked the restart straight to touch, Luton won the resulting scrum and a blind side thrust involving neat forwards interplay left Sean Meddeman with space for a try in the corner.. Hobbs sealed the win in dramatic style as he was forced to take a drop kick conversion and secured the points for Luton.

No.5 Loka saw a second yellow after a crunching challenge on Steve Ellis and missed of the final stages of the game. Mobashar Mahmood replaced Ellis for the remaining minutes before referee Peter Caunt blew for full time.

Following the game Director of Rugby, Allen praised the mentality of his team and said he is ecstatic with the return of Steve Ellis.

“I’m really pleased with the result. I was disappointed with the first half because we just didn’t show up but we exchanged some ideas during half time and with a couple of changes the boys started to believe in themselves again.”

“I’ve known Steve and coached him for a long time even at different clubs. He went to Bedford but had recently got a promotion at work and found it difficult playing at that level - the commitment and the travelling - so he has come back to us for the remainder of this season. We will see what happens after that.”

Veteran Stuart Tomkinson was pleased to make his debut for the first team having had run outs with the second and third and was happy to open his scoring account for the first team.

“There was a bit of pressure, I had to get on the front foot quickly. It’s great to be playing in this sort of game, we came back from four tries down to eventually grab a win.

“I didn’t see it happening. With me being older I thought I’d come on for the last 30 minutes but Paul called me on and I was happy to play.”

For match photography see Ian Nancollas Photography

Match Reporter
Farhan Daw