What a strange old Saturday we had last week at Mortimer Park. Great entertainment in the clubhouse at the Burns Lunch, followed by an error strewn 1st XV performance and much confusion around regulations from our Yorkshire visitors.
Inside, as always we have to commend our staff for the work they do in regularly putting on lunch for circa. 200 guests with serenity and professionalism. It is not something to be taken for granted and as a club we should be thankful of their repeated efforts in making these days happen.
On the pitch, I feel an explanation is needed for at least some of what happened last Saturday. First up, we must say, as a playing and coaching group that performance, in a 17-22 defeat, was not up to scratch in terms of what we expect. In the first half alone we created nearly double digit numbers of chances and managed not to score any of them due to individual errors in our play. We have taken that on the chin this week and I expect the boys to come out with a point to prove tomorrow. In terms of the lengthy stoppage and what happened just before half time, the details are as follows: Huddersfield Number 1 was yellow carded and at the next scrum, they claimed they had no front row replacement who could come on and scrum at loosehead, meaning the game would need to go to uncontested scrums. At National League level, all teams must be able to replace the first prop (and hooker) that leaves the field for injury or due to a card, to keep scrums live. This is to prevent teams who are struggling at scrum time from bailing out and gaining an advantage. If teams fail to comply with this rule, they forfeit the game and the opposition is awarded a bonus point win, although the game is played to a conclusion. At the time that scrum was about to become uncontested, we tried to inform Huddersfield and the officials of this, so they might change their mind and put a replacement into loosehead, they declined and as such at that point forfeited the game by the rules. Since the game the NCA have informed us that they have enforced the rules as per the regulations and we will be awarded a 5 point win, to be displayed in league tables once the appeal process has been exhausted.
Now this is not a satisfactory way to gain five points, I will make that clear, and it does not change how inaccurate we were, particularly when up against 12 and 13 players, but what also must be said is that the opposition's scrum that was creaking, did gain a clear advantage by going uncontested when it did. Also at half time as a coaching group we discussed the fact that given the rules are what they are, and if enforced we had 5 points in the bag, we would use the second half to rest some key players, including Joe White and big Owien Harriott-Davis. Had the game been live still this would not have happened. We will never know the effect of leaving those and other players out there, but given how the scrum dominance flipped 2nd half (once Huddersfield were back to full compliment) and that is how the visitors applied pressure and scored points it is fair to say it would have had a bearing. All in all it was a disappointing way to get the result we intended to deliver, but the outcome is that when applied, the points will take us up to 8th in the National League 2 North division. A strange day that hopefully we do not get a repeat of again in any facet (performance or incident) moving forwards.
Thankfully Sunday was a little more straight forward as our minis and juniors all enjoyed fixtures against DK home and away, whilst the RMS Colts hosted and beat Lichfield here at Mortimer Park 17-7.
Even better news followed on Wednesday as a decent crowd turned out to watch our U21s in action against Birmingham University Engineers. The boys ran out 34-10 winners in an impressive display, combining players from the 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV and Colts in a fairly seamless transition. The pathway that we are bedding in across the U13s-U18s seems to be reaping rewards in terms of getting a huge number of our players coming through and playing in a similar fashion. Thank you to Brett and Spike for heading up the side on the night and well done to all the lads involved.
I do need to make an appeal unfortunately following last Saturday. If anyone knows anything about the identity of the person who hit two stationary vehicles whilst leaving the club on Saturday evening can you please get in touch with the club. The description we have been given is that the driver was bald, in his 40s, driving a vehicle that is described as a '4WD, Discovery type vehicle', which left the club towards Mortimers Cross and had a number plate starting something like YOZ…
One of our sponsors, Jaques Int, are recruiting. Two job adverts are listed later in the edition, if you or anyone you know of may be interested.
Some items to make you aware of in the coming weeks then, firstly the 6 Nations starts this weekend, and we will be showing much of it on the screens down here at Mortimer Park. Full schedule of what is happening is on the poster below, with both games on in the clubhouse tomorrow alongside the 1st XV, 2nd XV and 3rd XV games.
This February, in conjunction with the 6 Nations starting, we are having a big push to get our women's rugby going. If you, or someone you know might want to give it a go, have a look at the posters below and join us through the month of February for free taster sessions on Tuesdays or Thursdays. No previous experience required, come down and join us for a run around.
This weekend then and thankfully we get the immediate chance to right the wrongs of last week and make more positive short term memories of our 1st XV, as they host the rearranged fixture against Harrogate. This game was cancelled back in October due to Covid, so we will have the GPT Properties Hospitality lunch beforehand, whilst the 2nds (1.30pm KO) and 3rds (2pm KO) are both also in action against Leicester Lions 2nds and Stafford 2nds respectively. With the 6 Nations on in the clubhouse we have all you could want - so get down here and support the boys. There are a couple of big milestones for our players tomorrow - Joe White plays his 150th game for the 1st XV, which at 25 years of age is a fair achievement in any position, but particularly at tighthead prop, whilst our skipper and club all time leading National League appearance maker (173), Mat Hackley, makes his 200th appearance for the 1st XV. A massive congratulations to both, lets make sure we give them a huge welcome on to the pitch - a couple of true black and white warriors.
Sunday and the Mini and Juniors face Hereford pretty much across the board, whilst our Colts have a week off.
Good luck to all our sides this weekend. We very much hope to see you at the club tomorrow.
Smithy
Luctonians 17 - 22 Huddersfield
Huddersfield eked out a winning result by playing to their strengths through their forwards and dominating the scrums throughout, and this all despite being down 12 men at one stage in the first half.. However Lucs will rue poor decision making, dropped balls and miss placed passes when they had Field on the back foot on many occasions.
Penalties were shared early on for 3-3 score after 15mins, with Will Milner and Owen Randell kicking for their respective sides. Field defended strongly against the home sides attack but deservedly went ahead when Lewis Workman stole through the Lucs backs to give them a 3-8 lead after 25minutes. However Workman found himself off the field 5 minutes later when he was yellow carded for a no arms tackle. Lucs should have scored their first try when all but through a minute later only for wing Charlie Grimes to drop a pass when only the try-line could have tackled him. What followed however was somewhat messy and left the crowd in bewilderment. Just before half-time Liam Parfitt was yellow carded for Field for foul play. A scrum had been awarded to Field but with the away side down to 13 they were not able to field a front row. This resulted in a long break for some 8-10 minutes in play as the officials and team coaches converged to work out the scenarios available before eventually an un-contested scrum was awarded. Field now down to 12 men won the ball and promptly kicked to touch for oranges.
Huddersfield remained dogged in defence, this despite being down to 12 men with the 2 yellows and another player off as they couldn’t contest scrums through injuries. They continued to repel Lucs advances on numerous occasions and when eventually they were back to full strength they made their numbers count. They continued to use their forwards to great advantage by taking the scrum option at every opportunity where they drove Lucs back or caused them to give away scrum penalties. They used this to great effect from when they kicked deep to win line-out ball and promptly drove over through the excellent Lewis Bradley from the driving maul on the hour, Milner who was back on converting to lead 3-15.
Cheick Kone of Lucs was yellow carded for 30 seconds after coming on when was pinged for a lineout infringement. When he returned his strength saw he drive through the Field backs and Lucs benefitted from his power as he put Jack Forsythe through to bring the home side back to 10-15 in arrears, Louis Silver converting.
Field however kept the game tight through their forwards and were fortunate late into the match when a kick from fullback Hudson bounced into touch and gave them a 50-22 deep in Lucs territory. Fields excellent driving maul again paying dividends with No8 Bradley again rolling over to increase the lead to 10-22 Milner again having converted. And it lead to a frantic last 5 minutes where Lucs scored through Ben Murphy following excellent work from Tom Smith. Silver again converting to leave the score 17-22 with a couple of minutes on the clock. However Field were stoic in defence and once again won a scrum at the death which allowed them to kick to touch and end the game.
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