Luton Rugby make it four wins from four

In a match where territory was very important for both teams to get the upper hand, it was Luton who struck the first blow.

With 12 miutes gone, the hosts piled on the pressure thanks to some good kicking from the back three.

Whilst on the try line, the Tabard defence managed to withstand the attacks and thought they escaped when winning a line-out five metres out by forcing scrum-half Tom Mahendran into touch.

However the ball was brilliantly stolen by Luton’s Michael Weston and from this the forwards tried to force their way over, sucking the Tabard defence into the rucks.

Luton then flung the ball out wide where winger Doug Fluker was in space to score in the corner, although Rik Hobbs missed the conversion.

The hosts had their second try just seven minutes later after more pressure on the Tabard try line.

Daniel Blinkhorn, who was proving to be a constant thorn in the Tabard defence, was the man to cross, using his strength to force his way over from close range.

With the scoreline reading 12-0 to Luton, after Rik Hobbs’ conversion, Luton’s backs showed what they could do in broken field.

After some poor kicking from Tabard, Rik Hobbs showed a quick turn of speed to break their defensive line and reach the 22m line.

With Tom Wilmore on his outside and in space, Hobbs gave a simple pass to the full-back and it looked like he was going to score in the corner.

However Tabard full back Elliott Hurrell managed to get back to complete a high-tackle on his opposite number, something that resulted in a penalty for Luton.

Opting to go for another try rather than the three points, Luton kicked to the corner. From the successful line-out, they attempted to power over the line with a rolling maul, but the Tabard forwards withstood the pressure.

Luton then freed the backs and an excellent line by Jake Hobbs punctured his way through the Tabard defence to complete a simple score under the posts, with Rik Hobbs’ adding the extras for 19-0 after 22 minutes.

Tabard, who were having as much territory as Luton in the first half but struggling to stretch their opponents defence, found their only score after 34 minutes.

The visitors speedy right winger Joe Calnan exploited a rare gap in the Luton defence, forcing his way deep into the 22 before good scramble defence stopped him just before the line.

However from the resulting phases, Tabard’s captain Cameron O’Connor burrowed his way over the try line from two metres out, with the conversion converted by Jack Reilly, to make the interval score 19-7.

The second half started with almost complete territory domination by Tabard, as Luton struggled to get out of their half for the first 20 minutes.

Numerous attacks and phases, with plenty of attacks on the try line all came to nothing though as handling errors and great defensive work by Luton left Tabard frustrated.

The hosts started to have more attacks in the last 20 minutes of the match too, with their fourth and final try coming with time running out as a kick from Rik Hobbs behind the Tabard defence, wrong-footed the visitors’ backline, as he went through to secure the four try bonus point.

However whilst the try was being scored, Luton’s Ben Murphy suffered concussion, resulting in the forward having to receive lengthy treatment on the pitch and paramedics having to be called to the scene.

The remaining three minutes of the match were played on the pitch parallel to the main pitch, to allow paramedics to continue to treat Murphy.

Luton: Sam Pacey (Dwayne Duffy 40), Ben Murphy, Marc Tindall (Adam Harris 57), Daniel Blinkhorn, Tom Albone, Ryan Staff, Michael Weston, Jack Elston, Tom Mahendran (Aidan Kenny 40), Rik Hobbs, Brandon Lewsey, Steve Ellis, Jake Hobbs, Doug Fluker, Tom Wilmore.

Tabard: Bill Lake, Jack Girdlestone (Nick Westlake 47), Wilf Lake, Sam Barrow, Paul Fagan, Cameron O’Connor, Tom Davies (Daniel Calnan 47), Scott Stoba, Harry Gough, Jack Reilly, Jermiane Ijieh, George Stevens (Scott Clewlow 67), Gerald Arasa, Joe Calnan, Elliott Hurrell.

Referee: Nicola Reynolds

Touch judges: Jeremiah Hanafin and Johnny Power

Luton man of the match: Daniel Blinkhorn, his great work rate and strength provided great forward ball for Luton, while he was heavily involved in defence.