A couple of low grumbles later and few dropped passes and the aforementioned Mr Read was demanding set after set of press-ups from the docile teenagers. In short – things looked a little concerning. The below 14 lined up with some players clearly not slotting into their favoured positions, however as per previous weeks, it is an area that needs working on and the coaches are setting about it (one wing dropped due to short Ashby numbers): -

1. James Turnor
2. Jim Wilson
3. Earle Freeman
4. Archie Benford
5. Josh Long
6. Dan Rogers
7. Devon Marshall
8. Jacob Pedley
9. Harry Greenbury
10. Harry Read
11. Angus Gladstone
12. James Roberts
13. Conran Butcher
14. Isaac Clerk
15. Ed Faulds

Subs: - Ollie Waterfield

A kick into the swirling cold wind by Harry gets the game under way and Lutts immediately put the visitors under pressure. Ashby’s cold hands quickly knock the ball on and the resulting scrum is won easily by Lutts as a “here we go again” whisper goes through the watchful and knowledgeable crowd. The ball is moved out left and as Ashby numbers thin out James Roberts dives in between two defenders for the first score of the game.

Try! James Roberts Not converted 5 – 0

Ashby respond well and for the first time (but certainly not the last) the visiting number 10 finds space with well-judged kicks and Ashby move into the Lutts half. A secure Lutts lineout is moved wide but cold hands in the backs knock the ball on and give possession to Ashby. They think quickly and see space on the blind side and go over for their first score of the day.
TRY! Ashby not converted 5 – 5
With an effective game plan established Ashby’s 10 again uses the boot to panic the home side and in quick succession Ashby go over twice with both scorers doing all they can to get under the posts.

TRY! Ashby converted 5 – 12
TRY! Ashby converted 5 – 19

Lutts are shell shocked and are facing a challenge that they haven’t faced but as they slowly wake up they are still losing all the 50/50 balls to the visitors pack. The first good Lutts scrum of the games secures fast ball through the backs and this time their hands don’t fail them and Conran goes over.

TRY! Conran Butcher converted 12 – 19
The closing gap breathes life into the forwards and they begin to compete more aggressively at the breakdown. Our pick and go master eventually does what he does best and drive through the defence of the visitors and with the last swivel, goes over.
TRY! Jacob Pedley converted 19 – 19
Half time
Although Lutts have scraped their way back into the game there is still an uncertainty that the Ashby 10 is questioning again and again with smart line breaks and kicks into spaces and very shorty they score again to take the lead
TRY! Ashby converted 19 – 26
Again Lutts go through the motions and the scrum begins to compete but during a piece of stout defending a man is down hurt. The substitution (excellently observed by the visitors) sees Ed go to 10, Robbo go to 15 and Angus go back into 11. Shortly after Jacob Pedley again picks and goes but this time the defence can’t get near him.
TRY! Jacob Pedley not converted 24 – 26
It feels like the game that Lutts have been chasing is slowly slipping away as again smart kicking pins Lutts into their own 22 and a turned over scrum hands possession to Ashby. A very deserving 10 eventually cuts through the home defence for 5 more points.
TRY! Ashby converted 24 – 33
As the referee indicates that only a couple minutes remain Lutts surge towards the Ashby line and after the ball being recycled time after time, eventually Archie goes over for his first for a while.
TRY! Archie Benford converted 31 – 33
Lutterworth can sense that they need to control possession and wait for the opportunity to steal the game but as Lutts knock on, the final whistle allows Ashby to hold their hands aloft and celebrate a deserved win.

Final score Lutterworth RFC 31 – 33 Ashby RFC

Points scorers in order: -
Tries Conversions
James missed
Conran Harry
Jacob Harry
Jacob missed
Archie Ed
Your man pitch-side (with a cold right hand).