Luton Rugby stun the leaders

The visitors played brilliant rugby throughout the match, with centre Steve Ellis grabbing four tries to help beat a Westcliff table who had only lost two matches in the league prior to Saturday.

The match was played a high tempo throughout, and it was Luton who scored the first try of the match.

After Westcliff full back Jack Jones dropped the ball on the half way line, a Luton turnover was executed brilliantly and Ellis was able to run into the corner and score the visitors’ first try after eight minutes.

Rik Hobbs missed the conversion, before Westcliff started dominating proceedings in scrum.

However, Luton’s forwards retaliated and won a Westcliff scrum against the head inside the hosts’ 22.

With Westcliffs backline not in the right defensive positions, Luton were able to again move the ball through their hands and Ellis went over under the posts.

Hobbs was able to convert and Luton were winning 12-0 after 20 minutes.

Westcliff began to get back into the game and exert some pressure for themselves through a good rolling maul that ended up nearly reaching Luton’s try line. However, Luton second row forward Pat Nelly brought the mall down illegally and was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes.

Westcliff used the extra man to their advantage scoring immediately after as fly half Rob Smith ran under the posts after 26 minutes.

The hosts scored their second try just three minutes later as some poor tackling form Luton allowed Chris Dudman to run 60 metres past three missed tackles and score in the corner, the conversion was missed and the score was level at 12-12.

Hobbs, who kicked 13 points, cleverly kicked a drop goal after 34 minutes, while Nelly returned to the action too.

Westcliff come out after half time and put Luton under immediate pressure. Andy Roskams powered his way over the try line after a 30 metre run through some weak Luton defence, the try put Westcliff 17-15 in front.

The hosts scored their fourth try after 50 minutes and earnt themselves a bonus point after Chris Marsh touched down in the corner after a turnover on the half way line.

Luton were aggrieved that there were hands used in the ruck but the referee played on and Westcliff moved nine points ahead.

However Luton showed great character in how they responded, scoring a try of their own just four minutes after conceding.

Scrum-half Tom Wilmore attracted the Westcliff defence into him before offloading into the path of Jack Elston, with the back-row forward running at speed just five metres out, the Westcliff defence were unable to stop him scoring under the posts and Luton were only two points behind.

Luton maintained the pressure on Westcliff inside the 22 and it was the hosts’ turn to have a player yellow carded.

Fly half Rob Smith was penalised for deliberately killing the ball on his own try line and Luton immediately punished them on 63 minutes.

Ellis scored his third try of the match as he powered his way over after phase after phase of Luton attacking on the Westcliff try line.

The try was converted by obbs and Luton were leading 29-24 going into the final 15 minutes.

Westcliff reduced the deficit to two points with a penalty after 66 minutes and it looked like it was going to be a nervy ending for Luton.

The penalty instead proved to be Westcliff’s last points in the match and instead Luton still had time to score two more tries of their own.

After 72 minutes, Jake Hobbs scored a try with the final play where Westcliff were down to 14 men.

Hobbs scoring from close range as once again Luton were camped on the Westcliff try line. Rik Hobbs converted and the scoreline read a healthy 27-26 in favour of the visitors.

However there was still enough time for Ellis to score his fourth, and Luton’s sixth, try after 75 minutes.

A brilliant run from the half way line from forward Tom Albone saw the Westcliff defence backing away from the forward. With Ellis on hand to his left for Albone to easily pass to the inside centre and Ellis had the easiest of finishes to score.

Luton will now be looking to push on after this great performance and victory when they welcome Diss to Newlands Road on Saturday.

Westcliff: Jack Jones, Chris Dudman, Ollie Jones, Elliott Harvey (Andy Roskams 21), Greg Bannister, Rob Smith, Ben Jones (George Anderson-Brown 71); Dave Cosgrove, Chris Marsh, Jim Smith, Andy Barnett (Ashley Whiting 57), Ian Dartnell, Ewan Binneman, Jack Hopkins, Shaun Roberts.

Luton: Doug Fluker, Chris Davies, Jake Hobbs, Steve Ellis, Aidan Kenny (Brandon Lewsey 44), Rik Hobbs, Tom Wilmore; Jack Elston, Adam Harris (Tom Albone 48), Ryan Staff, Karl Rodell, Pat Nelly, Jack Elborn, Ryan Sheppard (Dwayne Duffy 54), Sam Pacey.

Referee: Alexis Manley.

Touch judges: Jeremiah Hanafin and Nick Crowe.

Luton man of the match: Steve Ellis – The obvious choice as the centre grabbed four tries as he was always on hand when a Luton player made a break.