1st xv v Lutterworth 2nd December 2016

UNLUCKY BUZZARDS JUST MISS OUT

LUTTERWORTH 28 – 20 LEIGHTON BUZZARD

Leighton Buzzard slipped to a narrow defeat away at Lutterworth in their latest Midlands 1 East league game. Despite a spirited comeback, the Buzzards fell agonisingly short of both losing and four try bonus points.

Leighton won the toss and found it difficult to retain possession in the early stages against a strong running Lutterworth team. After eleven minutes the home side no.8 breached the Buzzards defensive line and off-loaded for the centre to score to give Lutterworth a 7-0 lead.

The Buzzards were slowly gaining more possession and missed the opportunity to pull three points back when an Ollie Taylor penalty drifted wide. It was from a further Buzzard attack after 30 minutes that Lutterworth scored their second try – once possession was turned over, the home side kicked from deep in their own half – the ball was allowed to bounce on half way and fell conveniently for the chasing player to collect and run clear to score under the posts (14-0).

Leighton responded quickly to this setback. The forwards produced a number of driving mauls threatening the Lutterworth line and finally the ball was spread wide for centre Mike Robert to score in the corner. The difficult conversion was missed, but Ollie Taylor kicked a penalty with the last play of the half to make  the half time score 14-8.

It was only five minutes into the second half when the home side extended their lead with a fine try. Passing quickly through many pairs of hands and with clever offloads, Lutterworth scored which , with the conversion, left Buzzards trailing 21-8.

However the Buzzard forwards were increasing their influence on the game and, following a period of pressure, Ryan Fraser was driven over leaving Leighton trailing 21-13 with 25 minutes left. Ten minutes later the Buzzard pack was again camped in the Lutterworth 22 – However in a decisive moment the ball was lost in contact two metres from the line, the home side cleared, won the resulting lineout and moved the ball quickly to score a further converted try. From being close to reducing the lead to a single point, Leighton were now 28-13 behind.

With last week’s comeback fresh in their minds, Leighton’s spirit was unbowed – an excellent break by full back Ben Beaumont, taken up by captain Euan Irwin was moved through numerous hands for Ryan Fraser to score his second try. With Geoff Branwhite’s conversion, Buzzard’s trailed 28-20 with ten minutes left.

Knowing that bonus points were available for losing by 7 points or less and for four tries, Leighton pushed forward and were within 2 metres when the final whistle went. Despite a spirited performance Buzzards returned empty handed but remain tenth in the league.

Next week they entertain Market Rasen and Louth at Wright’s Meadow.