Promotion hopefuls Luton leapfrog Colchester into third

A clinical Luton performance secured a bonus point 29-15 victory over Colchester at Newlands Road in London One North on Saturday, writes Ryan Lewis.

The win lifts Luton above Colchester into third position in London one North, after their 15th bonus point from 16 matches this season.

Luton, who lost 21-18 at North Walsham last weekend, played at a high tempo in the first few moments, a pace their visitors couldn’t live with.

The hosts, who had a strong wind behind their backs in the first half, quickly gained territory inside Colchester’s 22 as outside centre Matt Smith was then penalised for illegally using hands in the ruck and Rik Hobbs duly punished his mistake from 10 metres out in front of the posts with only five minutes on the clock.

Colchester, who were third in the table prior to kick-off, made ground soon after, but they were up against a resilient and brave Luton defence.

Despite phase-after-phase of Colchester pressure, it was Luton who scored the first try of the match after 16 minutes.

Full-back Doug Fluker intercepted and made a strong 50-metre run as Luton found themselves just five metres away from the try-line.

A strong push from the tight forwards at the resultant scrum then enabled Luton number eight Jack Elston to pick the ball up and scored in the corner, with Rik Hobbs adding a brilliant touchline conversion.

Three minutes later Luton used a lineout on halfway as the platform for the backs to attack.

Rik Hobbs’ pop pass released the onrushing Steve Ellis, who easily forced his way over the gainline.

Running at the isolated Colchester full-back, Ellis found Jake Hobbs on his right hand shoulder with a simple pass as he ran in under the posts, with brother adding the conversion to make it 17-0.

The action lulled before the home side won a penalty on halfway six minutes before the break as Rik Hobbs kick superbly to the corner for a five-metre lineout.

Michael Weston proceeded to force his way over from the set-piece, but the referee adjudged the ball was held up over the line, resulting in another scrum five metres out.

Colchester this time repelled the Luton squeeze, only for the ball to be moved through the hands in the backline.

Steve Ellis looked to have been tackled, but the inside centre had the presence of mind to off-load to full-back Tom Wilmore to dive over, with Rik Hobbs adding the extras to make it 24-0.

Despite the scoreline, Colchester were playing well in every department, but had been unable to convert their pressure into points, unlike their clinical hosts.

However, this changed with the last play of the half as they looked to have lost a lineout inside Luton’s 22.

The ball went loose and ended up in the hands of Graeme Hay who scored an unconverted try to give the visitors hope at half time as they trailed 24-5.

Colchester, who had a stern exchange of words at half time, continued the second half the way they finished the first as they grabbed a second try.

Damien Brambley made a great break from full-back and put Oliver Pickett, on his shoulder, in for a fine try.

Colchester added a brilliant conversion from a difficult angle as the visitors suddenly believed an unlikely turnaround was possible.

The visitors’ belief was enhanced when, having kicked the extras, David Higgins then converted a 40m penalty straight through the posts to cut Luton’s lead to just nine points with just seven second half minutes gone.

Luton were then forced back on to their line on several occasions, but their mental strength shone through by preventing numerous attacks deep inside their own half.

Jake Hobbs played a vital role in midfield and then forced Colchester back deep inside their own half with a much-needed interception and clearanace kick.

Unlike Colchester, Luton made their territorial advantage count and secured a fourth and bonus point try when Elston scored a carbon copy version of his first try from another five-metre scrum on 64 minutes.

This try stretched Luton’s lead to 29-15 and, despite some Colchester pressure, there was no more scoring as Luton prevailed.

Luton now travel to Brentwood on Saturday looking to seek revenge after their 28-25 defeat to the Essex outfit in early October.

Luton: Tom Wilmore, Doug Fluker, Jake Hobbs, Steve Ellis, Brandon Lewsey (Chris Davies 47), Rik Hobbs, Tom Mahendran, Jack Elston, Ryan Sheppard, Sam Pacey (Mark Tindall 47), Pat Nelly (C), Karl Roddell (Adam Harris 47), Ryan Staff, Michael Weston, Jack Elston.

Colchester: Damien Brambley, Richard Chadwick, Matt Smith, Joe Flemman, Simon Parkinson, David Higgins, Gregor Irvine; Miles Pitcher, Charles Thorngood (Charles Hays-Burt 36), Jerome Awesu, Kieran Payne (Brett Cotbush 53), Graeme Hay, Oliver White, Oliver Pickett, Callum Irvine (Sam Trott 34).

Referee: Andrew Beckett.

Touch Judges: Jeremiah Hanafin and Unknown.

Star Luton Man: Jack Elston. A great performance from the number eight saw him bag himself two tries and defended hard all over the pitch.