Peterborough Rugby League produced a dominant attacking display to see off Nottingham Outlaws 88-26 in their final Midlands Division fixture, crossing for a remarkable 17 tries as they closed the regular season unbeaten.
Clinical scoring and composed control
The visitors were overwhelmed from the outset as Peterborough dictated the tempo with a composed approach to ball control and sustained pressure. The hosts ran in eight tries before half-time and added a further nine after the break, leaving the scoreboard heavily in their favour heading into the play-offs.
Halfback Brandon Whitaker was pivotal in orchestrating the attack, using intelligent game management and crisp kicking to create repeated openings for his teammates. Captain Luke Whitby finished the afternoon with a hat-trick, while Dylan Evans, Andy Donnell, Henry Hobson and Ciaran Thompson all crossed twice. Other try scorers included Dan Foreman, Chris Sykes, Matthew Tapley, Whitaker, Jack Green and Declan O'Neill.
“I was really pleased with the performance. We took a much more controlled approach with the ball, and that allowed us to build pressure rather than forcing things. We played with patience, and when the opportunities came, we were clinical.”
The head coach’s assessment reflected the manner of the victory — disciplined possession and finishing rather than frantic attacking play. The result provides substantial momentum as Peterborough prepare to host a play-off semi-final.
Looking ahead: semi-final at Fortress Fengate
- Fixture: Play-off semi-final against Leamington
- Venue: Fortress Fengate
- Date: Saturday 8 August
The club, which relocated from Deeping during the close season, will be aiming to convert their perfect league campaign into progress through the play-offs and, ultimately, a place in the Grand Final.
| Player | Tries |
|---|---|
| Luke Whitby | 3 |
| Dylan Evans | 2 |
| Andy Donnell | 2 |
| Henry Hobson | 2 |
| Ciaran Thompson | 2 |
| Dan Foreman, Chris Sykes, Matthew Tapley, Brandon Whitaker, Jack Green, Declan O'Neill | 1 each |
Supporters will hope the team’s free-flowing form continues at Fortress Fengate, where home advantage and the confidence of an unblemished league run could prove decisive. Ticketing and kickoff details for the semi-final are expected to be confirmed by the club ahead of the weekend fixture.
