Last season Luton finished fifth in the league with 82 points compared with Brentwood’s sixth place with 77 points. This season Luton are third in the table with 55 points from 16 matches with Brentwood in seventh place with 50 points also from 16 matches.

Another tight match was therefore anticipated by the large crowd of 300 spectators.

There was only one change to last week’s victorious Brentwood team at Diss. James Cowen returned to the right wing in place of Graeme Smith.

After another week of torrential rain, Luton kicked off downfield on a surface that was barely playable. The opening phases of play belonged to Brentwood as their pack drove the ball upfield. Winning a penalty, they opted for a line-out drive and after continuous pressure, hooker Clinton Dorling crashed over for the home side’s first try. Scrum-half Luke Green converted and Brentwood had an early, and in these conditions going up the slope, important 7-0 lead.

However, with a “hands in the ruck” offence, Brentwood soon gave away an easy penalty. At 7-3, the home pack were competing well with their feisty opponents and playing with the same spirit and determination as last week. They were edging the Luton pack in most areas of play. In addition, the Brentwood half-backs and full-back were combining well and keeping the pressure on Luton.

A Green penalty gave Brentwood a seven point lead but momentarily the side relaxed. Luton took full advantage of some sloppy tackling to gain an easy converted try.

With the pitch cutting up badly, this match was always going to be won by the stronger pack. As both packs threw everything into the game, no quarter was given or taken in all areas of the tight and loose. With half-time approaching, Brentwood won a line-out in Luton’s 22 and loosehead prop Kieran Skurr was driven over for the second Brentwood try. Green converted to give his team a 17-10 lead at the interval.

A half won by Brentwood’s pack, remorseless in their driving upfield and backed by mainly excellent tackling from the backs.

The second half saw the home side with the advantage of the slope which was more important than usual in the muddy conditions underfoot.

Fly-half Alex Brindle was unlucky to be yellow-carded for a “team offence” but fortunately for Brentwood another Green penalty had already moved the score on to 20-10.

A penalty was run speedily by Luton’s scrum-half for a converted try which narrowed the score to 20-17.

Prop Anthony Sherwood replaced the excellent Kieran Skurr and was immediately yellow-carded for dangerous play. Down to thirteen men and only three points ahead, Brentwood were in serious trouble. However, the pack held firm and gave an outstanding display against waves of Luton forward drives. This was definitely not a game for the faint hearted!

Back to full strength and with the fresh legs of flanker James Metcalfe and Billy Aldous on the pitch, Brentwood now had control of the game as Luton tired. Another two Green penalties and a yellow-card given to the visitor’s fly-half saw the homeside comfortably ahead by nine points.

A hard fought battle by two powerful packs saw Brentwood win this bruising encounter 26-17 and move up to sixth place in the league, only three points behind Chingford in fourth place and one point behind Luton.

Only a lack of concentration at critical points of the second half prevented Brentwood gaining a bonus point. A well deserved victory gained from a gutsy first half performance going up the slope in atrocious muddy conditions. A great all-round team performance!

Team: Skurr, Dorling (C), Bevans-Royston, Woodcock (capt), Hobbs, Whaley, King, Chandler, Green, Brindle, Dorling (L), Wylie, Thomas, Cowen and Worster.

Next week, the Brentwood 1st XV match is away at Letchworth Garden City on 25th January (ko 2.15pm).