U23s Put in a Strong Performance Against Greyhounds

A dour and wet day at The Butts Park Arena was brightened by a sizzling display from our U23 side, who put in an assured first performance of the season, beating a formidable University of Oxford Greyhounds (U23) team 26–7.

Try scorers included Nuneaton RFC’s Travis Bennett Allcock with a brace, first-team player Charlie Whorrod (Stratford Upon Avon RFC), and Michael Van Haren (Broadstreet RFC), with Luctonians’ very own Jack Condliffe adding three conversions.

This key pillar of the academy’s programme is designed to keep an eye on local players and provide opportunities post-18. We also used the fixture as an opportunity for members of our U18 cohort to step up and continue their transition into the senior game, with Matty Thomas (Daventry RFC) putting in a man-of-the-match performance at just 17 years old from inside centre.

He was joined by his peers Sam Harding (Kenilworth RFC), Joe Johnston (Leamington RFC), and Drew Johnston (Daventry RFC), all of whom had excellent outings.

A huge thank you to all the players and, not least, their clubs for allowing them to take part—we look forward to organising many more of these fixtures in the future, with another on the horizon later in the season.

Next up for the academy is the U18’s taking on the Lambs at 12:00 this coming Sunday (2nd February 2025).

The fixture is at The Butts Park Arena, and the players and staff would love to see as many of you there as possible in support!

U23 Squad vs University of Oxford Greyhounds:

1.Arron Hackett 2. Ethan Allen 3. Finn Haynes 4. Sam Harding 5. Daniel Anderson 6. Robin Jordan 7. Bertie Taylor 8. Sammie Erskine 9. Michael Volaikisuva 10. Jack Condliffe 11. Travis Bennett Allcock 12. Matty Thomas 13. Billy Emerick 14. Charlie Whorrod 15. Joe Johnston 16. Hayden Link 17. Coby Stanton Ford 18. David Darker 19. Michael Van Haren 20. Fintan Dowling 21. Drew Johnson 22. George Bennett 23. Emosi Nabakeke