RUGBY UNION: OLD LAURENTIANS pulled off a stunning victory after coming from 7-21 down to beat Luton in the Midlands 2 East (South) division, reports Bill Wallis.
A little unlucky to be trailing 7-21 at the break, the visitors scored three excellent second half tries without reply to claim a 21-26 bonus point win.
OLs were first to post a score when Luke Billyeald expertly finished a Troy Owen break to go over and Jon Bean converted for a 7-0 lead.
The visitors were playing with the strong wind at their backs in the first half and were the livelier side in the opening exchanges but Luton were finding their way into the game and equalised when they scored after a scrum close to OLs line.
For the next 20 minutes Luton held the upper hand and finally broke through when their winger went over, the goal points added to level the score before taking a 14-7 lead thanks to another converted try.
OLs raised their game again and camped on the Luton line, the home side losing a man to a yellow card as they struggled to keep their opponents at bay.
But a loose pass was intercepted and the grateful Luton recipient ran the length of the pitch to score and Luton turned round with a 21-7 lead.
OLs appeared to have a sizeable task in the second half, against the wind and up the slope.
But they made light of those disadvantages to play some of their best rugby this season, starting with some excellent back play that saw Ben Wiles go over in the corner to reduce the deficit to 21-12.
Luton were now playing route one rugby, kicking the ball deep into OL’s half, only to find full back Wiles in imperious form and running the ball back at every opportunity.
OLs were now enjoying the greater share of possession and territory and Wiles went over for his second try, Bean added the goal points and the deficit was now just 19-21.
Another attack in the dying minutes featured some sleight of hand by Dom Hammond whose offload found Jordan Bunn and the right winger shot away down the line to score in the corner. Bean added the goal points with a fine touchline kick and OLs had pulled off a notable win.
This win lifts OLs to fifth in the table, just three points behind new leaders Peterborough ahead of their next league game at Fenley Field against Market Harborough on November 19.
This Saturday OLs turn their attention to the cup when they take on Tamworth in the third round of the Intermediate Cup.
