ONS FAIL AT LUTTERWORTH

By Michael Parsons

Second half fightback falls short.

OLD NORTHAMPTONIANS 17-21 LUTTERWORTH

After a desperately slow start from the ONs a wind assisted Lutterworth galloped into a 13-0 lead with less than 15 minutes played and although the ONs then limited the home side to a further penalty against a try for a 16-5 half time deficit,a second half fightback fell short as a lack of precision at critical times saw them squander chances which would have given them their first away win of the season.

Max Wortley joined Chris Reid in the second row and Aaron Cort started at 7.In the backs Kieran O’Connor and Mike Bellamy came in on the wings,Ben Rivans at centre and Marley Wolfenden moved to full back.Adam Civil,Ben McDonald and Mark Edwards were the replacements.

Lutterworth started with the strong wind at their backs and immediately took the lead with a well struck kick from Tom Hooper after the ONs were penalised from the kick off.A converted try took the home side further ahead and when Hooper landed another penalty from distance for a 13-0 lead with less than 15 minutes gone it looked as if Lutterworth might run away with the game.However the ONs slowly came back and when Lutterworth infringed close to their line a scrum was chosen,Drew Hudson picking up from the base to power over.Hooper was again on target shortly after only for the score to be chalked off for a team member being in front of the kicker and when Chris Reid was yellow carded Lutterworth again stormed forward.The ONs defence however held firm,Kieran O’Connor intercepted to race 50 metres upfield to end one attack,a fine tackle and Matt Watts turnover ended another but as the half drew to a close Hooper was again successful from the tee and Lutterworth led 16-5.There was just time for the ONs to turn down a kickable penalty in the shadow of the Lutterworth posts electing to go for the corner but the throw in went awry.

An ONs lineout just after the break proved more successful and after being held up over the line possession from the resulting scrum was driven on and Max Wortley finished and with Ben Rivans converting the ONs trailed by just 4 points.Another ONs lineout in Lutterworth territory was lost and play was moved quickly upfield as the home side pack off loaded at pace to pierce the defence and create the try of the afternoon for a 21-12 lead.There were still 20 minutes remaining but the ONs again turned down a goal attempt only for the quickly taken kick and attack to end as the final pass was knocked on.An incisive break down the left faltered when play was moved back inside but at last a Marley Wolfenden touch down brought the ONs back to within 4 points and set up a frantic final 10 minutes.A 10 minutes which saw Lutterworth,down to 14 following a yellow card,desperately and in the end successfully defending their narrow lead.

ONs:Marley Wolfenden,Mike Bellamy,Alex Crofts,Ben Rivans,Kieran O’Connor,Joe Heslop,Matt Watts,Aaron Cort,Drew Hudson,Greg Pieterse,Chris Reid,Max Wortley,Craig Stewart,Dave Irvine,Zach Draper.

Replacements:Mark Edwards,Ben McDonald,Adam Civil.

Man of the Match:Aaron Cort

A week off for the 1st XV next week before meeting Melton Mowbray at Billing Road on November 17th 2.15pm kick off.