Luton RFC come up short against Colchester

Luton RFC suffered their second successive defeat of the calendar year as they went down 24-7 at London One North leaders Colchester on Saturday.

Captain Tom Mahendran was back for Luton RFC, while there was an obvious determination by the away team as they won an early penalty for offside.

However, in the windy conditions, Rick Hobbs was unable to get the points on the board.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Luton’s pressure paid off on nine minutes though as Teshurn Edwards used his pace to cross the line with Hobbs’ boot on target as the visitors led 7-0.

Taking advantage of the frenzied start, Luton looked to build up play through mauls and rucks, and Stuart Tompkinson in particular looked impressive.

After a promising start, injuries struck Luton twice in the space of a few minutes, as first Mobashar Mahmood was taken off for Dwayne Duffy and then Adam Harris sustained a dislocated shoulder, having been injured during a scrum, to be replaced by Ryan Staff.

The visitors kept the table-toppers at bay for 30 minutes, and their decision-making and intensity deceived their position on the table.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Colchester captain Calum Irvine managed to pierce the Luton rearguard with the home team’s first try of the afternoon, as Paul Allen’s side held a slender two point advantage at the break.

In the second period, Colchester upped the pressure and Senitiki Nayalo scored a brilliant try as he side-stepped Rick Hobbs and David Higgins converted to make it 12-7.

Matthew Smith extended the lead on 70 minutes, while Higgins’ kick gave his side some breathing space at 19-7.

Colchester completed the scoring in the final minutes when Brett Cutbush crossed the line after intercepting a diagonal ball from David 
Brennan.

Luton host Woodford this weekend.