Match Report

 Luton 54-6 S London II

24/06/06 (Courtesy of Luton Vipers & South London Storm)

The Vipers came through their first major test in the London League with flying colours. The visit of table topping South London provided an early test of Luton's continuing development and the Vipers put together a solid display against a hard working Storm squad. South London travelled to Luton with an under-strength squad but still played with a pride befitting a top of the table team. Unfortunately, they had no answer to the Vipers movement of the ball and their ability to consistently break the gain line.

 

Luton took just 2 minutes to open their account when last weeks 5 try hero James Hankey punished a Storm mistake. Ash Stewart extended the lead on 9 minutes when his great break fed Steve Marchant who returned the ball to Stewart to race free from 50 metres out. On 19 minutes Hankey nearly added another score when he took an offload from Matt Spencer and raced 40 metres, only to be held up over the line. That was a brief respite for the Storm as 2 minutes later a penalty for a high tackle on Stewart gave the Vipers the ball 10 metres from the try line and Karl Belmar took the tap and drove over. Stewart soon extended Luton's lead with another try.

 

Wing Jason Mitchell though he'd added another when Belmar's pass sent him over, only to be called back for a forward pass. As the half approached the Storm put together a good passage of play, and with a controlled attack and the newest, and probably heaviest, half back partnership in the league of two players normally seen in the pack – Donny Varcoe and Rich Pitchfork – combined for the only score for Storm. After Ollie Derbyshire and Ben Hughes went close it was Varcoe who managed to cross the line for Storm’s well deserved try which Pitchfork converted.

 

At this point history was also made for the Storm as Graeme Harker came on in the pack where he joined 16-year-old son Bobby to be the first father and son pairing to play for the club. Bobby has come through the ranks at Storm and is testament to the hard work put in by father who formed the club and over the years helped build it to the point it is at now.

 

Despite a dominant opening 40, Luton entered the second half only 14 points ahead and with the momentum with the Storm. A good start was needed and it arrived courtesy of Stewarts hat-trick just a minute into the half, followed by a Spencer try. Steve Marchant showed a clean pair of heels to the defence soon after, as his dummy opened a hole in the defence and he ran through to sprint clear over 55 metres. Storm carried on pushing with Rob Grant and debutant Dennis Kanna driving hard through the forwards. It would not be enough and Luton never looked to let the lead slip. Storm kept pushing hard but coming up short, being held up and forcing Luton into dropouts and 20 taps.

 

Hankey added his second score after a good passage of flowing Vipers rugby and loose forward McCabe finished the move of the game off shortly after, when he touched down after the Vipers had kept the ball alive brilliantly. McCabe's score was the first of three in the final 10 minutes as Luton eased home. Right wing Mitchell scored before left wing Craig Walker finished off a sideline to sideline move for a fitting finish to an excellent team performance.