Pointless first half costs Luton Rugby

A poor first half performance proved pivotal for the hosts as Eton Manor ran in 22 unanswered points before the interval.

The visitors controlled all aspects of the first half and had plenty of chances as Callum McKie pushed two penalties wide and Reece Reed dropped the ball over the try-line.

However, Manor did not have to wait long until they finally got themselves on the scoreboard when Tryson Goodchild took advantage of a short line-out to score in the corner.

The visitors were in again five minutes later after another sustained period camped on Luton’s line allowed centre Alex Hunter to force his way over for a converted try.

Luton were their own worst enemy as they spilt the ball inside their own 22m on a number of occasions. Manor made them pay when Chris Jones jinked his way over for another converted try in the 28th minute.

Manor then extended their lead through a Reed penalty to take the score to 22-0 at half time.

Luton responded well and were the first to get on the scoreboard when Jake Hobbs crossed in the 58th minute.

Rik Hobbs’ initial break inside his own half saw him offload to Chris Talanoa who fed Jake Hobbs to race 30m for a converted score.

Luton were on top for the first time in the game as they were camped on the visitors try-line but a loose ball was picked up by Manor’s Ian Edwards who raced 30m before offloading to Jones to score an unconverted try and make it 29-7 with 13 minutes left on the clock.

Two yellow cards within the space of a minute for Eton Manor’s Dan Johnson and Kevin Reed gave Luton some hope of getting something out of the game and they responded immediately through Ben Murphy who spun his way over from close range as Rik Hobbs added the extras.

Luton were in again two minutes later when a strong driving scrum allowed Adam Harris to dive over and make the final score 27-19, as Paul Allen’s side finished a respectable fourth in the table.

Luton: Sam Pacey, Ryan Sheppard (Ben Murphy 50), Marc Tindall, Pat Nelly, Craig South (John Kerr 68), Ryan Staff, Kevin Scales (Jack E, Adam Harris, Robbie Smith, Rik Hobbs, Michael Weston Chris Talanoa, Jake Hobbs, Chris Davis, Tom Albone.

T: J Hobbs, Murphy, Harris. C: R Hobbs 2.

Eton Manor: Damian Horton (Dan Dyson 40), Tryson Goodchild, Ciaran Bowman, Ian Edwards, John Robinson, Barney Newbury, Kevin Reed (Dan Johnson 57), Garth Tucker, Reece Reed, Callum McKie, Ben Thomas (Tim Wells 70), Alex Hunter, Will Mowbray, Chris Jones, Mark Woollard.

T: Goodchild, Hunter, Jones 2. C: R Reed 3. P: R Reed.

Referee: Peter Lyes.