Saturday 27th April 2019 - if that date is not already scoured in your grey matter, ensure it is nestled in there now, for we have another one of those massive days ahead, where if you are of the Black and White persuasion, you should be nowhere else in the world other than leaning against your favourite board at Mortimer Park. The 1st XV will be hosting Blaydon on that day in a one-off battle to determine which side is promoted back to the National Leagues, if you have something else in the diary then clear it!
Yes last weekend went as many predicted it would, our lads got the job done at Lichfield in comprehensive fashion 19-80, whilst Broadstreet just ran out of steam going down 16-17 to gift Scunthorpe the league title. Given where we sat at the end of January, 12 points behind both them and Newport, to close the gap to just one solitary point by the end and finish six clear of Newport was one hell of a turnaround. Picking up 40 league points out of a possible 40 and breaking all kinds of club scoring records along the way, showed a flex of the muscles at just the right time to ensure we gave ourselves a shot at the ultimate prize of instant promotion back to the league in which we sat for eight seasons previously. Had player availability been different in the opening third of the season, who knows how differently things may have turned out. If we are honest with ourselves though, as a club, would we do things any other way? A one-off spectacle that is sure to have us all on tenterhooks and bring out another massive crowd, akin to the Sale game last season or Leicester Lions game of 2015. The perfect way to end a season surely? Let's hope so.
There was plenty to report on from last weekend - another hugely busy one for all concerned with Lucs. Friday night saw Ieuan Evans entertain the masses, at a sportsman's dinner to raise funds for next year's U16s trip to South Africa. I am not sure of the final figure raised as yet, but suffice to say it was an excellent evening and plenty of cash was raised for that very worthy cause. Thank you to all those that supported the event and dug deep in auctions and raffles, and to Mr Evans himself, who in spite of being a Welshman, came across as a cracking bloke and an excellent speaker.
Saturday had two important games for both our 1st XV and RMS Colts, on the road, in the end with two hugely differing outcomes. Whilst the 1st XV had recorded a four-try bonus point inside 11 minutes at Lichfield, a feat I would challenge stattos everywhere to find performed in a quicker time, our young Colts were on the end of a drubbing in Yorkshire, as their valiant progress in the National U18s Cup came to an end.
The boys found a combination of, the long trip, repeated 'Cup Final' type games for the past six weeks and a very accomplished opposition, just too much to take and went down 51-0, not really doing themselves justice on the day. The experience should have provided some great learning for these young lads though, in firstly realising what it is like to play in the National Leagues (somewhere hopefully many of them will end up in), where you must perform at your best at hostile grounds, on the back of 4-hour plus jaunts on a bus. And secondly in showing them just how good some of the other players and teams are out there across the country, in this the highest number of all rugby playing populations. They have too been a victim of their own success and the scheduling of competitions by those involved in the North Midlands League and wider Cup competitions has not helped. Prior to Wharfedale on Saturday the Colts fixture list had consisted of a North Midlands Cup Semi Final, a National Cup 4th Round game, 1st place v 2nd place in the North Midlands Colts League, a National Cup Quarter Final and a North Midlands Cup Final. Whilst the boys are getting battle hardened to week after week of big games, at some point you must expect a drop in mental intensity when faced with those successive challenges, unfortunately for the lads it came at the worst possible time against the best possible opponent. The players, parents, coaches and management all deserve a massive hand for their efforts this season, but I must make special mention of their Head Coach Brett Prior, for his efforts last weekend to get back for the North Midlands Cup Final were quite extraordinary and were left untold last week as it was the players who deserved their moment in the sun. Having booked a family holiday to Portugal spanning from the Wednesday before the final to the Wednesday after it, Brett flew back to the UK on Saturday night to ensure he attended the final, then hopped in the car and bolted back to Manchester airport to fly back to his waiting family out in Portugal as soon as the game had finished on the Sunday, missing the celebrations of being the only coach to retain the North Midlands Colts Cup for our club. Whilst many a man would consider losing a fairly important part of their anatomy for suggesting a mid holiday interlude to their other half for the sake of a game of rugby, we thank Brett's better half for being so understanding and also must highlight this show of commitment from one of our own, for all the youngsters coming through the club. Next time you are a bit tired and considering skipping training consider the efforts of Mr Prior - a proper Luctonian!
Sunday last was that brilliant annual spectacle that is the Anglo-Welsh Mini Festival. Once again we welcomed several thousand people through our gates, pushed our catering, parking and pitch requirements to their limits, and on a bitterly cold mid-April day delivered another cracking event. Huge praise must go to Hayley Evans, Pete Evans, Kirstyn Downes-Hopkins, Su Waugh and Wayne Symonds in particular for their contributions in making the day that was. A huge thank you to all the other parents and volunteers, including kids from various Junior age groups and Senior players, who all rolled up their sleeves and helped make the day happen. In a festival that is now non-competitive in terms of outcome, with RFU regulations being what they are, the progress to report on from our teams is that the six age groups we had represented all had a full on day of rugby, enjoyed themselves to the max and hopefully came away as better players for the experience.
Looking ahead then and we have a bonus day this Saturday coming, in our Memorial Day and the chance for us to remember many of those great and good that we have lost over the past few years. The day will be a celebration of their contributions to the club, with an entertaining game in prospect to follow the lunch. A Lucs XV (made up from 2nd XV, 3rd XV and Colts players) take on a President's XV (consisting of players from a variety of other local clubs, many of whom are products of our Mini & Junior Section) whose team is published below. Entry on the day is entirely free, so come down, support a good cause and enjoy an entertaining game on what is set to be a gorgeous sunny day.
There are plenty of exciting bits of news to tell all interested Luctonian parties about in the coming weeks pertaining to next season and our ongoing efforts up and down the club, but for now, much as the players will be doing over the next 9 days, focus your mind to the 27th of April.
Have a great Easter Weekend.
Smithy
Dates For the Diary
Saturday April 20th - Memorial Day - Lucs XV v President's XV - 3pm KO
Saturday April 27th - 1st XV v Blaydon (Promotion Playoff) - 3pm KO
2nd XV v Towcestrians (Midlands Reserve League Cup Final) at Sutton Coldfield - 3pm KO
Sunday April 28th - U14 & U16 in North Midlands Cup Finals at Dudley Kingswinford
Rugby This Week
Saturday
Team
Opposition
Competition
Venue
Kick Off
A Lucs XV
President's XV
Friendly
Home
3-00pm
Luctonians Golf Society
Fixtures 2019
Friday 26th. April Kington Tee off 12.30pm
Bacon Roll,Coffee, 1 course meal £36 Post Code HR5 3RE
Friday 17th. May Cleobury Mortimer Tee off 1pm
Bacon Roll, Coffee, 2 course meal, £30 Post Code DY14 8HQ
Thursday 20th. June Little Lakes Tee off 2pm
2 course meal £27 Post Code DY12 2UZ
Friday 19th.July Herefordshire Golf Club Tee off 2pm
Bacon Roll, Coffee, 2 course meal £35 Post Code HR6 8LY
Friday 16th. August Llandrindod Golf Course Tee off 1.30pm
Bacon Roll, Coffee, 2 course meal £30 Post Code LD1 5NY
Friday 20th. Sept. Burghill Tee off 1pm
Bacon Roll, Coffee 2 course meal £35 Post Code HR4 7RW
Friday 18th. Oct. Sapey Tee off 1pm
Bacon Roll, Coffee 2course meal £29 Post Code WR6 6XT
(Jim Preece Cup)
Please confirm with Robin East at least 4 days prior to fixture if you wish to play 01568 614436 email. robineast@hotmail.co.uk
Lichfield 19 - 80 Luctonians 1st XV
An away day to Lichfield beckoned, home to the only English Cathedral with three spires (always like to keep you all up to date with some useless knowledge), for this the last game then of regular season in Midlands Premier league. With a win required to keep the pressure on Scunthorpe at the top, should they have lost, and we beat relegated Lichfield then we would top the table and automatic promotion back to National Two. However, as it transpired Broadstreet did their very best to beat their opponents on the day and lost by ONE point, which ended up being the difference between our end of season and another potential game in the playoffs.. So, it is to the playoff game we head (more on this later).
It was a raucous arrival for club officials, players and spectators with hosts Lichfield holding their Ladies Day amid great noise, hooting, merriment and laughter from within the marquee. What’s this we hear, one of our number is acting as a waiter!! A Small stripped down to his “smalls”, adorn only in an apron is giving the ladies their very own Chippendale act…He was outside later, and I can tell you it was that cold he was definitely “Small” in stature, I was and I was fully clothed..!!
Pitch-side the scene was of anticipation with the cool wind blowing in from the East, and not wind from our Alacadoo Robin East, he was there once again, as were many other regulars.. another full season I believe where he hasn’t missed a game, home or away. Season on season of devoted support for the Black and Whites.. Top Credit to the man.. Well Done Eastie.
The game kicked off with not good news from the Colts away in the National Cup, however the boys couldn’t dwell on their excellent efforts so far this season as this game had to be “put to bed”. It didn’t take them long to get into their stride with Loz Breese over the line after only 3 minutes on the clock, and Louis Silver converting (7-0), Lichfield responded by winning a scrum deep in Lucs red zone, the ball shot out and from the loose ball Drew Cheshire collected and ran the length of the pitch to score under the posts, Louis Silver again converting, and it was 12-0 after 8mins. From the restart good work from Will Burton and Tom Pearson put Louis Silver away and we had 3 tries on the board and 21 points bagged after only 10mins with Louis converting his own try. My pen was now in danger of burn out as a couple of minutes later Tom Pearson and Drew Cheshire combined to put the strong running Isaac Fanueli away and with Louis adding another conversion 28-0 made the game look all over for the home side and Lucs looking likely to get a cricket score. Credit to Lichfield that they stuck to their game plan and they started to play some good rugby with their backs moving the ball well and applying some pressure on our defensive line. But Lucs always looked dangerous with ball in hand and when Owien Harriott-Davis, who had a fine game at No.8 finished a flowing Lucs move after 23mins, Louis again converting, it was all over with a now insurmountable 35-point lead. Mat Hackley was off for a blood injury which brought Conor Turner in the fray for his last game for the Club before winging his way home to Canada, an excellent contribution he has given all season, go well young man. And to rub salt into the wounds for Lichfield Josh Watkins looked likely to add to his impressive scoring try tally when he was put through, only to find on his shoulder Joe White (how did he get their so quick up against the speedster?) who dived over and at half time Lucs were 42 points to the good.
What’s this we see, a fully inflated helium blown up “convenience” doll, bedecked with balloons floating away into blue skies, let loose by those scandalous ladies at the rowdy luncheon. I hear the Bishop of Lichfield was having palpitations as it narrowly avoided his Three Spires.. say a prayer sir!
Second half was underway, and Josh Watkins was not to be denied adding to his seasons tally with try no31 for the season following good work by Johnny Morris. And Louis missed the conversion..!! 47-0 and Owien Harriott-Davis scored again when he finished off what was possibly the try of the game when excellent interplay from Rob Bengry, Johnny Morris and Isaac Fanueli allowed him to touch down, with Louis this time adding the extras. 54-0. Lichfield were rewarded for their persistence when their lively Greg Massey scored and converted (54-7) before Rob Bengry’s strength allowed him to drive over on the hour. He scored his second a few minutes later when diving over in the corner following good work by the forwards, before Drew Cheshire again punished slack play around the scrum to pick up and pop over the line from close in with the score up to 73-7 and still 10 minutes on the clock to play.
Louis Silvers interception catch above his head and run saw the score up to 80 points with his conversion, before Lichfield scored two late efforts from their impressive No7 Callum Turner to give them some respectability at 80-19 when the full-time whistle blew. Top performance from the Black and Whites, although tailed off a little with game won, and credit to Louis Silver, a 30-point haul. I make it he has scored 80 plus points in the last 5 games, marvellous.
All were waiting on events from Broadstreet, news had crept through that Scunthorpe had been 17-0 ahead but clawed back to 17-16, and that two Scunnie players were in the bin.!! But it wasn’t to be, and they held out to become Champions, well done to them.
My Man of the Match: Louis Silver, you can’t score 30 points and not get a shout out..
Coach’s Man of the Match: Owien Harriott-Davis
Dick of the Day: Jorge Petit (yes him who dressed up for the ladies..!!)
Off to the playoffs for the Black and Whites. It’s to be confirmed as I write, but probably will be played at Luctonians on Saturday 27th April versus Old Foe from way up North, Blaydon.. Keep looking on the BookFace page for details.
Wherever it is BE THERE, the Boys will want our Support and Noise.
Once again all the action is up on the Luctonians BookFace pages from Greggers (apart from what he missed..)
Lucs Team: Rob Bengry, Drew Cheshire, Josh Watkins, Isaac Fanueli, John Morris, Will Burton, Louis Silver: Dan Powell, Guy Kirkby, Joe White, Loz Breese, Tom Pearson, Callum Young, Mat Hackley, Owien Harriott-Davis
Replacements: Giles Morrell, Conor Turner, Tom Furnivall
Scorers: Tries (12)
Loz Breese, Drew Cheshire (2), Louis Silver (2), Isaac Fanueli, Owien Harriot-Davis (2), Joe White, Josh Watkins, Rob Bengry (2)
Conversions (10) All from Louis Silver.
Geoffers
And Finally
The views expressed in Lucsline are those of the contributing authors and may not reflect the opinion of Luctonians Sports Club.
