In-form Rasen see off students
Market Rasen & Louth produced a fine away performance to win 24-31 at Loughborough University on Saturday.
Having been under pressure early on, Rasen eventually got control and from a line-out Tommy Aldridge carried the ball over for their first try.
From the restart Loughborough were camped in the Rasen half for a prolonged period aided by too many penalties given away by Rasen. However, Loughborough seemed confused at the line-outs enabling Rasen to snaffle several loose or overthrown balls and used this advantage to put together good phases and again close forward support saw Mason Bradley power over for Rasen’s second.
Loughborough responded with their first try for a 14-5 lead in Rasen’s favour at the break, but the lead was extended early in the second-half when George Lee Erasmus took a diagonal line from the wing through the defence, collecting the ball on the way to weasel his way over the line for Rasen’s third.
Next it was Loughborough’s turn to show what they could do. The Rasen defence were sucked in on the try line and quick ball out to the No. 13 in space saw him romp over for a second Loughborough try.
Rasen were not to be outdone and were soon at the other end pummelling the Loughborough defence, resulting in a drive over for prop Joe Spires to land Rasen’s bonus point try.
Loughborough responded immediately and blasted their way back up the field to score a forwards try.
Rasen got back to within sniffing distance of the Loughborough line but a penalty to Loughborough put paid to Rasen’s ambitions. The next passage of play gave their No. 13 room to scoot down the left wing to score another for Loughborough reducing Rasen’s lead to just 4 points.
Luckily a penalty conceded by Loughborough on their own 22 meant Rasen could extend the lead by three points which they duly did, the score remaining at 31-24 until full-time.
The next game is another tough league fixture on 21st March against Spalding at home.