Walsall 13 (Try: Wood. Con: Wood. Pen: Wood. DG: Wood.). 

Kettering 8 (Try: Coles. Pen: Buoy.). 

The relegation battle at Delves Road was a tense affair, with the hosts just about pulling through at the end. Kettering, however, were left to reflect on an afternoon of missed chances, as they squandered three easy scoring opportunities, that could have made all the difference. Walsall meanwhile, must be grateful to outside half Matt Wood. He combined well with Barneix and Mould to score the first try. Wood’s conversion establishing a 7-0 lead. Despite opportunities for both teams, there was only twelve minutes left when Kettering finally crossed the line. Winger Tom Coles capped an impressive performance when he squeezed over in the corner. But there was a lot of rugby left in this game, as both teams strove to get the vital scores. The respective No 8’s were having a terrific struggle. Ryan James made some strong drives for Kettering, while the hosts would often rely on the power of Dave Merlin to create their attacking positions. The home supporters were stunned as the game reached its closing stages, when Nicky Buoy put over a forty meter penalty to give the visitors a slender lead. The hosts though, hit back almost immediately. They maintained possession well, and gained a penalty from the resulting pressure. Wood stepped up to slot over a forty meter kick to give Walsall a two point advantage. But this game was far from over, as the referee decided that there should be ten minutes of extra time. Much to the relief of the home supporters, there was only one score during this period. Once again it was Wood who got the points with a fine thirty five meter drop goal. This Walsall win will ensure that the relegation battle will go all the way ‘to the wire’ this season.

Burton 18 (Tries: Bartram, Cole, Porter, DG: Gilmour.). 

Rugby Lions 45 (Tries: Murphy 2, Bond, Hawken, Clements, Jackson, Nash. Cons: Bond 5.). 

Rugby Lions gained promotion to the National Leagues at the first attempt after relegation last year. Their all round organisation, a strong pack, good kickers and runners a back row that flew always close to staying within the rules deservedly won this spiky encounter.

The Crofters can however take some positives from their performance as they rallied after early setbacks and stretched the champions across the field.

Burton touched the ball for the first time after six minutes, by which time the Lions led 7-0. After winning their own kick off, they maintained pressure and possession as Burton defended their line. Winger Chris Murphy benefited from an overlap and full back Bond converted.

Burton retaliated, the pack put the Lions on the back foot as it mauled forward, the ball was received by Ian Gilmour whose drop goal brought the deficit to 7-3 after 12 minutes.

The Lions stayed to their game plan and their pack dominated ruck and maul, with Stand off Denzil Evans positional kicking pinning Burton back. A good lineout move saw full Bond join the line at speed to burst through and score  

Luton 26 (Tries: Rudgard, Mansfield, S Walker. Con: Offer. Pen: Offer 3.). 

Market Bosworth 10 (Try: W Johnson. Con: Steele. Pen: Steele.). 

Luton RFC had a very successful day last Saturday. They put in a competitive display to beat a very capable Market Bosworth side and also celebrated the induction of several long serving members of the club as honorary life members.

At the pre match lunch, Luton made life members of long-standing playing, serving and sponsoring members of the club. There were 120 Vice Presidents, club members, quests, Market Bosworth committee members, and family members of all the recipients in the Newlands Room at the club. Inducted into the hall of fame were Jo Pearson (over 60 years with the club), Neil Foster (over 40 years with the club) and David Brown (over 40 years with the club).

Included in this impressive line up was Luton RFC President, David Shane. David has been a member of Luton Rugby Club for over 50 years. He started playing for the club in 1950s and since he stopped playing has held many positions within the club. He has been an active President of the club for the last 30 years, and even though he is approaching 80, watches most first team home and away games, and makes an active contribution to the leadership of the club. David was presented with an engraved watch by club secretary, Phil Wilson. Phil Wilson, paid a wonderful tribute to David relating many tales of David’s exploits and contribution as player, officer of the club and member of the management team. David, in slightly croaky voice, emphasised the pleasure he had gained from rugby, the rugby club and, in particular, the personalities he had encountered. David was given a standing ovation by all attending the event.

It was only fitting that the Luton first team should also perform well and they duly obliged with a hard fought win over Market Bosworth. Market Bosworth have traditionally been a difficult team to beat and this game proved to be no exception. The teams had the same league record coming into the game and this game overall had a distinctly ‘end-of- season’, mid table feel about it. Neither side were able to put together sufficient dynamic, concerted play to pull clear.

Whilst the game was never a classic, Luton provided many of the high spots in the game. They never deviated from attempting to play their open style of rugby even though the execution was, at times, error strewn. Market Bosworth, for their part, typically were very competitive at the breakdown and created many turnovers to prevent Luton maintaining pressure. On the counter attack, their threequarters looked threatening but good covering from Ben Brown, Simon Lincoln and John Lasbrey thwarted their attacks.

Luton started the game as if they were going to build up a big score. Playing into a strong wind, after 10 minutes they led 10-0. Taking advantage from the kick off of a Market Bosworth error, the produced a flowing movement that ended with a James Offer penalty. An attacking scrum close to the Bosworth line, then saw No 8, John Rudgard, crash over from a 5-metre scrum. But Luton then turned over 5 successive balls in contact and Bosworth capitalised with pressure on the Luton line. A penalty reduced the arrears before a steepling Luton kick from James Offer was misfielded and Luton threequarters pressured the Bosworth defence to send Mark Mansfield over for an unconverted try. The half time score of 15-3 looked a secure lead with the prospect of playing with the wind in the second half.

But the second half didn’t progress to plan. Missed opportunities by Luton inevitably gave Bosworth second chances. Poor defensive work from a Bosworth high kick gave them a converted try in the corner. With the game on a knife edge Luton played a territorial game with James Offer using the wind to put Luton deep into the Bosworth half. Driving mauls almost brought a couple of tries before the pressure gave Luton two simple penalties. But Bosworth refused to lie down and had a period of concerted pressure on the Luton line. Luton back row forward Phil Lane used his bulk to great effect at the breakdown to steal a number of critical balls from Bosworth. Right on full time, Luton added respectability to the score when Scott Walker took an inside pass from Lee Anker to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Bromsgrove 17 (Tries: Slaughter, Hall. Cons: Hall 2. Pen: Hall.). 

Bedford Athletic 41 (Tries: Ireland 2, Kirwan, Swanwick, Botha, Grant, Rudkin Cons: Tapper 3.). 

Comfortable away win for Bedford Athletic running in seven tries away at bottom of the table Bromsgrove.

They were on the scoreboard in the 6^th minute when scrum half Matt Ireland went over for an unconverted try and soon after it was 10-0 with hooker Ed Swanwick going over but again it went unconverted.

Centre Ali Hall got the home side back in it with a try which he converted

They went further ahead before the break with flanker Jamie Rudkin going over and this time Ashley Tapper converted for 17-10.

In the second half they went further clear with three more tries to build up a 36-10 lead with Ireland completing a double and centre Barry Kirwan and second row Moritz Botha touching down the other tries.

Both sides score tries in the final 12 minutes as Ath took the points.

.  

Scunthorpe 15 (Pens: Robinson 5.). 

Luctonians 10 (Try: Helagi. Con: Wheadon. Pen: Wheadon.). 

This was a dour match and as far as the spectators were concerned, not one for the connoisseurs, but league rugby is about winning and accumulating points, and Scunthorpe did a good job on this front. Tim Robinson was Scunthorpe's saviour, kicking 5 penalties to win the game. His first attempt came directly from the kick-off when Luctonians collected the ball, went to ground and were penalised for holding on. Robinson stepped up but uncharacteristically missed the kick, the ball bounced fortuitously in the Greens favour and they were able to set up another attack. On five minutes they moved the ball wide with real intent and Mark Sherwood found himself one on one against his winger, he should really have backed himself to go on the outside but instead he stepped inside to seek support and the move went cold. The Greens kept the ball live and recycled back in field, again the backs got the ball moving as it came to Micky Coult he was high tackled by a Luctonians defender and Tim Robinson duly accepted the 3 point penalty. Three minutes later it was Scunthorpe's turn to give away a penalty this time for an offence at the ruck, the Luctonians No 10 Jeremy Wheadon slotted it over and it was level at 3-3. On 8 minutes Wheadon put up a high bomb kick, the ball was allowed to bounce in the Scunthorpe 22 neither defenders, Robinson nor Vaimoso, could make their mind up who was going to take responsibility for the ball and as it bounced the Luctonians centre Riki Helagi simply strode through collected the ball and scored under the posts, Wheadon converted and it was now 3-10. Shortly after Scunthorpe were awarded a free kick, they took a quick tap but there was nobody in a position to take the ball on, a loose pass was sent out and the Luctonians second rower Troy Looms took the interception, luckily he knocked on and saved the Greens further embarrassment. Up to this point the Greens had been playing well and needed to rally the troops and get back on track, this they did and put Luctonians under more pressure causing them to give away further penalties on 15 and 20 minutes which Robinson kicked to move to 9-10 and put pressure on the opposition. On 28 minutes Luctonians were given a scrum five after a strange decision from the referee, Tim Robinson marshalled the ball out of his 22 after a long kick, the Greens should have had a 22 drop out, this put the defence under undue pressure. The defence rose to the challenge and kept 'Lucs' out despite having Darren Kirk yellow carded for allegedly taking the scrum down. After two scrums and a driving Luctonians pack an excellent turn over ball allowed the Greens to clear their lines. This inspired Scunthorpe and they were led from the front by that old warhorse Rob Page who tidied up the scraps and was always there to pick and drive and make the hard yards. Just before half time Darren Kirk was allowed back on and Scunthorpe put another good phase of play together, with forwards and backs working well together, unfortunately they were unable to capitalise on the possession. This had been a topsy turvy half but Phil Sidebottom's men had done enough to show some promise and things were looking good for the second half.

Ben Sherwood suffered from a tight hamstring so was replaced by Lewis Jones on the wing, Tom Foster moved to fly half and Mark Sherwood to centre. After the break neither team could get their game going as they made too many errors, the game became very tetchy with a number of minor flare ups, mainly due to player frustration and some inconsistent refereeing. From the kick-off Tom Foster launched a howitzer of a kick deep into the opposition 22, unfortunately the ball did not go into touch and went dead, this resulted in a scrum in the Green 22, Luctonians used the possession well and drove at the defence, after several drives they failed to breach the line and once again Scunthorpe stole the ball and cleared their lines. On 46 minutes Scunthorpe were on the attack the Lucs fly-half Wheadon was yellow carded for laying on after a tackle. Robinson stepped up and collected the three points to go into the lead at 12-10 for the first time. Robinson accepted another chance to stretch the lead and he slotted home to go to 15-10, on the hour Phil Sidebottom replaced Luke Scargall in the second row. The Greens began to work their way into opposition territory but they couldn't get their line out working and employ their trade mark catch and drive to get the try and seal the game. Luctonians strangely enough tried to slow the game down with a number of 'injuries' but Scunthorpe stuck to their guns and defended stoically. A try nearly came from Rewiti Vaimoso, who is certainly due one, he was held up two metres short of the line, attempted to release the ball but was penalised for holding on, he objected to the decision and was yellow carded for his protests. Luctonians were now desperate and began to run from all parts of the field, the solid fifteen man defence stuck to their guns and kept them at bay. On 78 minutes Luctonians gave away another penalty, well within Tim Robinson's range, and this would seal the game with Lucs needing to score twice but surprisingly enough he missed and the game finally petered out and the Greens deserved to win at 15-10 and collected their two points with some real graft and a good defence.

Dunstablians 29 (Tries: Howe, Duckworth, Ellershaw, Hall. Con: Swart 3. Pen: Swart.). 

Dudley Kingswinford 15 (Tries: Shakespeare, Wilkinson. Con: McLellan Pen:  McLellan.). 

Not for the first time this season DK’s discipline let them down.  They conceded a record four yellow cards in the second half though two of these were very questionable decisions by the referee. DK had enough problems to begin with.  Warren Port was the only survivor in the backs from last week’s win over Luctonians but playing out of position on the wing.  Halfbacks Alan Mitchell (banned) and Eddie Smith (back), centres Gareth Davies (concussion) and Tom Weaver (ankle) and Wings Ian Gowland (ankle) and Steve Smart (quad muscle) were all missing from the side besides other first team backs out with longer term injuries.  In an overall undistinguished team effort Layton Wilkinson was named Coaches Man of the Match for a typical rumbustious performance at No 8. Eddie Nicholls in only his second start for DK at scrum half played very well and with great confidence, with Alan Mitchell banned for the rest of the season young Eddie has a chance to make his mark.

Despite these selection problems DL led 5-8 at half time and though they had conceded a try just before half time due to poor tackling, they really did not have much to fear from the home side as long as they kept it tight.  The yellow cards however changed all that, forcing DK to play with 14 men for most of the second half and even against Dunstablians fighting to avoid relegation it was too much to ask.  DK took a 0-3 lead after 4 minutes when Dees were penalised for coming in from the side.  Andy McLellan kicked the penalty.  A ball lost against the head followed by a horrendous mistake by DK’s much changed back line almost cost a try on 7 minutes but Dees lost it on the line.  Andy McLellan missed a 15^th minute penalty for DK and then Dees No 8 L. White was yellow carded for preventing the release of the ball.  From the penalty catch and drive Ollie Shakespeare was driven over for an unconverted try to make it 0-8 to DK on 24 minutes.  DK with the breeze at their backs were on top but progress was difficult with Dees fighting for survival in the league.  Dees then scored just before half time.  Nothing looked on when the ball was spread wide to Greg Howe near halfway but the left winger ran straight and at pace though he really should have been stopped as he powered through a powder puff attempted tackle, he took his try well.

                         Half Time:   DUNSTABLIANS  5   DUDLEY KINGSWINFORD  8

The second half began disastrously for DK as second row Ollie Shakespeare was yellow carded for preventing release, in truth the Dees scrum half Hall conned Mr Johnson rather well.  Losing 18 stones plus from your second row means pressure in any language, however DK should have scored after 43 minutes when Dees lost the ball in midfield and Wayne Millard burst through with Dees cover split wide open.  Support was slow to appear and the chance was lost only for Dees to put a good move together, attacking through the middle up into the DK 22 and resulting in prop Jason Duckworth touching down after 45 minutes.  The fact that the last TWO passes were forward says everything about Mr Johnson’s unhappy afternoon.  Fly half Gerhart Swart kicked the conversion for Dees to lead 12-8.  DK fought back well but were devastated to lose their hard working skipper Pete Knight to a yellow card on 65 minutes for offside.  The ball was out and the ref seemingly unsighted.  Now without an openside flanker DK’s already flimsy cover was totally exposed a minute later when burly centre James Ellershaw ambled through for an easy try, Swart again converting as Dees pulled away to 19-8.

Three minutes later the stretched DK cover was again all at sea when scrum half Hall was allowed to run 30m to the posts unopposed.  Swart converted for 26-8.  Back up to 15 players DK piled on the pressure and were rewarded on 76 minutes when MOTM Layton Wilkinson powered over from a ruck and Andy McLellan converted to make it 26-15.