Luton men battle to Royston draw

Luton started slowly as an evenly matched first half ended 1-1.

Tom Kavanagh was on target or Luton, while the Royston keeper saved Graham Bright’s penalty stroke.

Town built momentum in the second half, but were unable to put away all their chances.

An injury saw Luton reduced to 10 men and, although Graham Bright found the net, Royston also scored a second.

High-flying Luton IIs beat Cheshunt 2-0 at home in Division Four South West.

Luton steamed out of the blocks and early pressure led to goals from Stephen Condell and youngster Jack Madden.

The second half started in much the same way but, despite winning several penalty corners, Luton were unable to convert.

Third-paced Town IIIs went down to a 7-3 defeat against Hertford in Division Seven South West.

Having made a few changes Luton struggled to find their tempo in a lackadaisical first half, and Hertford took full advantage as they netted five times.

With an uphill battle on their hands, captain Perri D’Cruz changed formation and strategy for the second half as Town took it 3-2, but still lost out overall.

Luton’s IVs won their sixth game of the season as they triumphed 4-2 at Stevenage IVs in Division Seven South West.

The visitors started brightly, but went a goal down after 10 minutes from a Stevenage penalty corner.

For the next 20 minutes Luton struggled to find their form, but finished the half strongly as Sam James equalised from a penalty corner.

Town took control of the second half as James scored his second from open play and skipper Phil Bright netted two cracking goals, before Stevenage scored a late consolation.

Luton’s ladies were edged out 2-1 at local rivals Shefford & Sandy in an habitually close encounter in the Five Counties Women’s League Premier Division.

Town piled on the pressure in the first 15 minutes, but once S&S caught up they rallied strongly as they scored two breakaway goals.

The visitors struggled to match the fluidity of S&S in the second half, although Rebecca Clarke did score a consolation goal.

Meanwhile, the club were presented with a grant award at the DKH (Dame Kelly Holmes) Legacy Trust event at the University of Bedfordshire Postgraduate Centre in Luton last week.

Chairman James Wallis said: “We feel honoured to be given this award in recognition of the club’s excellent record of working with young people and the community.”

To find out about junior or senior hockey in Luton, contact Tricia Murphy 07711 511729 or visit www.lutontownhc.com.