Luton RFC info the final after defeating Peterborough

Luton booked their place in the East Midlands Cup final by beating Peterborough at Newlands Road on Friday evening, writes Stephen Richards.

In extremely cold and wet conditions, the first-half was even but Luton upped the ante after the break as three second-half tries were enough to secure victory.

Luton started brightly but it was Peterborough who opened the scoring with a try on nine minutes; the conversion successful, giving the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Sam Pacey replied with a try for Luton on 20 minutes with Hobbs converting to level the scores.

Peterborough went back in front through a penalty on the half-hour mark but that was shortly cancelled out by Hobbs’ penalty after 36 minutes as both sides were level at 10-10 going into half-time.

Luton were the far more dominant side in the second period and they were rewarded when Dan Blinkhorn powered over on 58 minutes, although Hobbs missed the conversion.

That was how it remained until the final 10 minutes where the match exploded into life.

Hobbs added another penalty on 72 before Tesh Edwards finished off a good move to score a try on 76 and although Hobbs missed the conversion, Luton were 23-10 ahead and seemingly through to the final.

Peterborough scored a consolation try but Steven Ellis had the final say as he raced over in the dying seconds.

Luton will now face Ampthill in the final at Bedford Blues’ Goldington Road ground on Wednesday, March 27.

This weekend, Luton travel to Rochford Hundred.

Luton: Blinkhorn, Smurf, Pacey, Elston, Nelly, Weston, Depper, Yang, Wilmore, Hobbs, Kenny, Ellis, Brennan, Edwards, Affleck. Subs: Tindall, Hammond, Kay, Scales, Welsh, Butten, Geraghty.