Luton give home fans something to cheer

An impressive performance from relegation threatened Ipswich was not enough to topple a commanding Luton side who ended a run of four consecutive defeats.

Tries from Jonny Wright, Jack Elston, Chris Davies, Rick Hobbs and a double from Tom Mahendran sealed all four points, plus a bonus.

Ipswich started brightly and a tidy exchange between Littlewood and Christopher Kolapo- Ajala set up James Wilson for the opening try. No.15, Alan Baker stepped up to put Ipswich 0-7 ahead. The lead would not last long as 10 minutes later, Logan Wendt’s menacing run found the welcoming arms of Mahandran who ducked for the try line. Hobbs took conversion responsibilities to put Luton level.

Alan Baker saw his penalty drift wide but Littlewood‘s slick footwork left the Luton defence in his dust to make the score 7-12 before Baker extended the lead in the 17th minute.

Chris Davies replied six minutes later but Hobbs’ conversion would fall short of the try posts. He would rectify his error by striking a superbly hit penalty to drag Luton 15-14 going into half time.

The home side were the much sharper team in the second half and extended their lead when Jonny Wright powered through a broken Ipswich back line. Mahandran grabbed his double 10 minutes later with a surging run down the Ipswich right flank as Hobbs successfully kicked 2/2.

Ipswich would not lay down easy for Luton as Timothy Hopkins would secure a brace in a six minute period. Baker would go onto strike 1/2 successful conversions leaving the score 36-26.

In the 74th minute Jack Elston intercepted a loose pass and would all but secure a much needed win for Luton RFC. Littlewood went onto score a conciliation try with Baker successfully scoring his conversion to conclude the score Luton 43-33 Ipswich.