Luton see off Romford to record bonus point win

The visitors got off to the better start but were unable to threaten Luton’s try line and it was the hosts who missed the chance to take the lead in the 12th minute when Rik Hobbs’ penalty just drifted wide.

They didn’t have to wait long until they got on the scoreboard though as Aiden Kenny crossed for the first try after 14 minutes.

A crisp move in Luton’s own 22 saw Jake Hobbs break through the visitors’ defensive line before drawing in both wing and full back to feed Kenny who raced 40m to touch down in the corner for an unconverted try.

Luton extended their lead in the 23rd minute when they won a scrum against the feed just five metres out from Romford’s try line and passed the ball wide for Chris Davis to touch down.

Jake Hobbs unsuccessful with the conversion, but Luton went 15-0 ahead at the break as Daniel Blinkhorn powered over the line.

Luton started the second half as they finished the first, in complete control, but they were unable to capitalise and just added a solitary penalty thanks to Kenny in the 47th minute.

Romford started to grow into the game and make inroads into Luton’s defence, gaining the the better of territory and possession.

The hosts held firm until a short period of pressure on their own line allowed Romford to crash over for an unconverted try in the 54th minute.

Both teams’ defences continued to hold firm after that until a superb individual try by Rik Hobbs to seal victory for the hosts in the 72nd minute.

He received the ball in centre field and managed to evade a number of defenders with some great footwork to break Romford’s resilience and touch down under the sticks with Kenny adding the extras.

The game was out of reach for Romford now but they still continued to put pressure onto the hosts defence and it finally paid off with the last play when they spread the ball out wide into open space and after some good support play, crossed in the corner for a converted try.

Luton: Daniel Blinkhorn, Dave Irvine, Jack Elborn (Dwayne Duffy 47), Karl Rodell, Tom Albone, Adam Harris, Micheal Weston (Matt Yang 64), Jake Elston, Tom Wilmore, Rik Hobbs, Aiden Kenny, Steve Ellis, Jake Hobbs, Chris Davis, Doug Fluker (Brandon Lewsey 53).

T: Kenny, Davis, Blinkhorn, R Hobbs. C: Kenny. P: Kenny.

Referee: Billy Hadkiss.

Luton Star Man: Adam Harris. Brilliant with ball in hand and solid in defence.