Another win for Loughborough

LOUGBOROUGH RFC 39

SOUTHWELL 30 LOUGHBOROUGH welcomed Southwell to Derby Road this weekend in their second league game of the season, hoping to carry on the good work started the previous week.

Loughborough kicked off proceedings in dry but slightly breezy conditions. The Loughborough chase putting pressure on the Southwell second row, who dropped the catch.

Loughborough kept it simple using their big ball carriers in the backs and forwards alike, Prop Lee Gunton and Center Aaron Brown relishing the opportunity to make inroads.

A dainty kick through from Thomas Kirkby was gathered by Southwell but strong pressure from James Busby saw this attack come to a swift end. A scrappy few moments followed where Loughborough seemed to struggle to secure the ball, but quick ruck ball found it’s way to Greg Biddle who burst through the scrambled defence before throwing a perfect pass out wide to Pete Chennells to finish the job. Try unconverted Loughborough 5-0 Southwell.

Southwell restarted and quickly nullified the Loughborough attack resulting in a small period of Southwell attack. This was turned over on the half way line even quicker thanks to a solid tackle from Michael Roberts and Jez Thewlis. The turnover ball was immediately moved out to the left to Jamie Grice who held the ball up for Steven Sands to glide through the defence at full tilt, before passing to Thomas Kirkby to run in the try. Thomas Kirkby stepped up to slot the conversion. Loughborough 12-0 Southwell.

Southwell struck back and were awarded a penalty to Southwell, which was kicked over the posts. Loughborough 12-3 Southwell.

Another penalty conceded by Loughborough following the restart gave Southwell the chance to attack from a lineout within the Loughborough 22m, the try eventually came from a pick and drive centimetres from the line. Try converted. Loughborough 12-10 Southwell.

Loughborough restarted by kicking straight into touch, giving the Southwell pack a scrummage back on the half way. Southwell returned the favour by dropping the ball following the scum, handing possession back to Loughborough. Good handling and composure rewarded Southwell with a try in the left hand corner. Try unconverted. Loughborough 12-15 Southwell.

Loughborough played through the phases well, using Matt Page and Steven Sands to hammer the line. Southwell were forced into infringing on their own line to prevent the score, a quick tap from James Busby found it’s way out wide to Thomas Kirkby to dot down. Try unconverted. Loughborough 17-15 Southwell.

Southwell pressured Loughborough from the restart forcing an error which saw their 13 ghost through to score. Try converted. Loughborough 17-22 Southwell.

A moment of madness by Steven Sands saw his quick restart following the ball being kicked dead, land straight to the Southwell player five metres in front of him. The Southwell fullback stepped up to nail a dropgoal. Loughborough 17-25 Southwell.

After half time, Loughborough again came out of the blocks full of confidence. Loughborough repelled a number of Southwell attacks. A smooth piece of play from Greg Biddle picked out a brilliant line from Steven Sands to fly through the defence before passing to Pete Chennell to score his second of the match. Try converted by Thomas Kirkby. Loughborough 24-25 Southwell.

Southwell began to attack with purpose, until Jacob Abraham shot the line and intercepted the ball deep in his own 22m to sprint the distance to score. Try converted by Thomas Kirkby. Loughborough 31-25 Southwell.

There was tireless defence from Stephen Duffus and the rest of the Loughborough side, a penalty followed a number of reset scrums. Greg Biddle stepped up to slot the kick at goal. Loughborough 34-Southwell 25.

It was good work around the breakdown by the Loughborough pack which led to their sixth and final try, with Owen Thomas crashing his way over through the would be tacklers to score. Try unconverted. Loughborough 39-Southwell 25.

After a penalty gave them a lineout five metres from the Loughborough line, Southwell’s forwards took ownership of the job at hand. Loughborough initially stopped the maul very well, but a number of pick and gos around the edge proved too much for the defence. Try was unconverted. Final score Loughborough 39-30 Southwell. After the game Captain Jamie Grice said: “The boys really stepped up and delivered after an impressive first game last week. As we play and train together as a close squad, we can only get better from here!”

Also the 2nd XV, with a youthful squad, beat Leicester Vipers RFC 8-0 for a double winning weekend for the club.