Ellis bags a brace as Luton beat Brentwood

Two tries from Steven Ellis, one in each half, along with efforts from Tesh Edwards and Will Affleck, was enough to clinch five valuable points for the hosts as Luton remain sixth, now just five points behind their opponents.

A scrappy opening to the game saw Luton resiliently fighting off a lot of Brentwood pressure, but after 15 minutes, Michael Weston smelt blood and charged at the Brentwood backline.

His fantastic run inspired a passing move worked from left to right, finished off by Edwards who went over to open the scoring, while Rik Hobbs converted.

Just four minutes later, Affleck’s long kick up field was not dealt with and Ellis was left with the simple task of collecting the ball and race through unchallenged from close range.

Hobbs’ successful conversion had Luton 14-0 up at the halfway stage of the first period.

After Luton had withstood more Brentwood pressure, Hobbs added a penalty with the last kick of the half to send Luton in 17-0 ahead at the break. Brentwood dominated the early stages of the second half and got their reward through a Josh Woodcock try on 48 minutes. Dan Whitehead converted to give the visitors hope of a comeback with the score at 17-7.

That hope was short-lived however as Tom Mahendran’s pass following a ruck, found Affleck who scored Luton’s third try of the afternoon, although Hobbs’ missed conversion left the score at 22-7.

Luton kept searching for the killer try and with 16 minutes remaining, Ellis succeeded after pouncing on a loose ball to go clear and score his second of the day, with Hobbs converting.

This put Luton 29-7 in front and despite Brentwood bagging a late try, Woodcock again scoring, with Whitehead converting, it was far too late to affect the result.

Luton will look to make it back-to-back victories next weekend as Basildon are the visitors to Newlands Road.

Luton: Pacey, Irvine, Blinkhorn, Elston (c), Rodell, Kay, Harris, Weston, Mahendran, Wilmore, Hobbs, Ellis, Kenny, Edwards, Affleck. Subs: Murphy, Yang, Geraghty.

Brentwood: Northall, Snooks, Sherwood, King, Hobbs, Metcalfe, Stewart, Woodcock (c), Gilette, Chambers, Poole, Thomas, Wylie, Dee, Stainier.