With it being the Easter weekend, this last one past, there is not masses to update on this week, but a good weekend on the whole for our little club.
At Mortimer Park, in beautiful sunshine, our 1st XV put in a very resolute display to overcome a decent Sheffield Tigers outfit 31-19. Trailing 5-14 at the break and with just 13 players on the pitch to start the second half after two yellow cards, the boys had some challenges to battle through, but they did so with aplomb, with one of the best 40 minute displays of the season in that second period. There was even an opportunity for us to give a 1st XV debut to 17-year old Colt Gethin Davies in the final throws of the game. Gethin becoming the 11th product out of our youth system to make his 1st XV debut this season - a wonderful statistic that shows to our youngsters throughout the club that if they stick at it patiently and work hard with the coaches, then the opportunities will come. Nige Mee's excellent photos of the game are available here.
As you can see below the win leaves our lads in 7th, just ahead of Tynedale by virtue of number of wins. Whilst we face two extremely tough tests to finish this season in Stourbridge and Hull, Chester's and Sheffield Tigers' run-ins are not pleasant either, so our chances of staying in that top half are relatively strong now, and if achieved, that should not be sniffed at as an outcome for our group this season. As a club we have only managed a top half finish at Level 4 on three previous occasions (2011/12, 2012/13 and 2015/16), so in a season where we have used 49 players in the 1st XV, including 22 National League debutants, we should all be pretty proud of our group.
Sadly the 2nd XV could not make it fourth time lucky against Cinderford 2nds this season, as the lads went down 12-26 at home last week. A familiar tale of getting close to a quality opponent, but one that was just a little better than us, as has been the case for the entire season with the Forest men. These games have been excellent value though for the development of our young players. Cinderford openly said they had five lads involved last weekend who had all played National League 1 rugby the week before, so our youngsters deserve a lot of credit for competing as they did against them. We'd take games like this any week over the 50 pointers or walkovers of many other weeks. Away from Mortimer Park, the 3rd XV were phenomenal in their bravery to run a Hereford 2nd team to a 15-15 draw at Wyeside. The hosts acknowledged due to player shortages that their side contained a good number of 1st XV players, after their 1st team league game could not be fulfilled. That our genuine 3rd team could go and compete with a side of that make-up is again huge testament to our lads. By all accounts it was a decent game and the important thing is again a competitive fixture was played.
The above point is underlined at the moment with the amount of rugby being cancelled across the senior men's game, we should really not take for granted what we are doing here at Lucs with 60+ senior players available every week. In the month of April alone (three Saturdays), there have been 25 league games called off across the Midlands. These aren't reserve teams or reserve leagues we are talking about either, these are 1st XV's that are not able to fulfil fixtures in the RFU league system from Levels 5 to 10. And this pattern is replicated across the country (in the equivalent leagues: 20 games off in the North during this period, 15 games in London and the South East, 37 in the South West). There have been two occasions this season in our own National League Division 2 North, where clubs haven't been able to put a team out in Huddersfield and Harrogate. Last weekend in 2 South Westcliff suffered the same fate, providing a walkover for Worthing. There is as much hope as there is pessimism in the rugby fraternity, that next season's change to league structures will improve the situation, and we await to see whether that is the case, but the blindingly obvious point is that our sport at grassroots level is not in a good place after Covid. Remember the above cancellations are just 1st team games, this is the tip of the iceberg when you consider that the majority of rugby players in this country had traditionally played in 2nd, 3rd or 4th teams. It is why it is imperative that we continue to show the gratitude we do to all of our volunteers and staff who work so hard each week to ensure we keep getting teams out - to all of you involved in this process this season we salute you!
Lucs Team of the Week this Week:
Another reminder for all members, that our membership year is coming to an end (remember we run 1st May to 30th April). With that in mind those who opt to pay by annual direct debit, your subs will come out automatically in the first week of May. The club's committee has made a conscious effort to help our members out as best we can with the current increasing cost of living, and have thus set rugby related membership prices at the same levels again for both Vice President Memberships (Gold - £130, Standard - £85) and Junior Rugby Memberships (£120) next season, with small rises in Senior Men and Women's playing memberships reflecting the hike in food costs that we are feeling as a club.
A plea for Sundogs helpers as well - we are after volunteers to help make the big day run later in June, so if you are able to lend a hand, please get in touch with Charlotte - events@luctonians.co.uk - and she will find you as much or as little as you want to help with. On the note of Sundogs a reminder that the Festival is just eight weeks away come tomorrow. If you are not volunteering or playing you need to purchase a ticket to attend and you can do that via this link before they all go.
Right, on to this weekend and we have some tasty fixtures for members to get their teeth into. Tomorrow the 1st XV play their penultimate National League fixture of the season, as they make the short journey to Stourbridge. Our most local neighbours in this league for what is now an eighth season in same division together, we will continue rivalries next season as both clubs will go into this new South West/Central Division after the restructure. Our squad find themselves in a historically odd position going into this game, having won the last two contests between the sides. As a club we only beat them once in the first thirteen attempts at this level, before the back-to-back victories. The recent closing of the gap in the head-to-head contests will undoubtedly have sharpened the focus of the hosts ahead of this one. They are a high quality outfit in terms of individual players, as demonstrated by their league position and home form where they have only been beaten once so far this season. On a points per game basis they are the most potent attacking side in the division, but they are up against the third best defence, on that basis, so a battle of strengths will be intriguing. Whatever happens, I am sure our players will do us proud. As previously eluded to in another edition, if you are planning on travelling to support, please touch base with our chairman Dickie Williams beforehand - dickiethehen@aol.com, as there are restrictions in place from Stourbridge on our travelling support. Alternatively if you would like a normal warm welcome, you can come to Lucs and watch the 3rd XV against Newport 2nds, where the 1st XV game will also be live streamed back to the clubhouse TVs - 3pm starts for both.
Sunday and at Mortimer Park we have most of our mini and juniors doing their annual fun run, as they look to raise funds for the CRY charity. We also play host to the Under 15 Cup and Plate Finals at Mortimer Park, as Bredon play Whitchurch and Kidderminster against Bromsgrove, respectively. It is in Newport though where our attentions will turn, as our U16s take on Stourbridge in the North Midlands U16s Cup Final. For this age group it is their last game together before they go into Colts and it would be a fitting end for them to secure the trophy at the end of their Junior stint - good luck boys!
Our 2nd XV and RMS Colts both unfortunately have no game this weekend after opponents pulled out of fixtures.
Go well all those representing the club this weekend, wherever you maybe playing.
Smithy
Luctonians 31 – 19 Sheffield Tigers
An entertaining game at Mortimer Park saw the home side overturn a half time deficit and being down to 13 players to beat Sheffield Tigers before a large and enthusiastic Easter crowd.
Tigers started the better side and were good value for their early lead on 13 minutes when Will Bennett was driven over after Lucs had been penalised for scrum penalties leading to a line out drive in their red-zone. The reliable boot of James Broadley converting for 0-7 lead.
The Lucs reply was almost immediate, when the hard charging Rob Aikman broke through with Cheick Kone on his shoulder only to be held up illegally. Lucs resulting line out saw Connor Deignan roll off the back of the maul to bring the score back to 5-7.
Kone was then shown a yellow after 35 minutes for alleged foul play and Lucs were now under serious pressure, and when Tigers got the better of a string of scrum penalties in the Lucs red zone once again, it was no surprise when they were eventually awarded a penalty try to take the score to 5-14, with the home side also seeing their second yellow and down to 13 men with Deignan receiving the card right on half time.
Lucs came out second half, despite being down to 13 players, all guns blazing and from the kick off quick ball fed the lively Josh Watkins who scooted through a gap in the Tigers backline without being challenged to score with Owen Randell converting to bring the home side back to within 2 points at 12-14.
The home side cheered on by the vocal crowd started to make inroads into the Tigers defensive line and the warm weather saw the forwards of Tigers wilt under the Lucs onslaught. With scrum dominance now reversed, it was no surprise when the home side’s top scorer Sam Jones wriggled over off the back of one of those scrums for his 9th try of the season, Randell again converting to put the home side ahead 19-14.
And the Kingsland based outfit continued to press for their desire to establish and secure one of their best league finishes for many seasons, as they looked to have put the result beyond doubt, when winger James Wheeler finished off a flowing backs move for a 24-14 score line, but Broadley took advantage of some slack tackling in the home defence late into the game to run in from half way for the Tigers, his conversion being charged down to reduce the deficit at 24-19. But Lucs gave their vibrant home support one last hoorah when Josh Nott squirmed over with the clock running down, Tom Jones who had a great kicking game throughout, converting to secure the five league points, in a 31-19 result.
Lucs finish with two tough fixtures as they travel for a local derby next week away at 4th placed Stourbridge before entertaining champions elect Hull at home, for what will be their last game in National League 2 North, before the leagues are restructured next season.
Sheffield Tigers:
Greg Mellor; Chris Keetley; Sam Wager; Oliver Church; Lee Monks; James Broadley; Ryan Holmes: Will Bennett; Louis Townsend; Nicholas Bingham; Joseph Fitzsimons; Charles Cone; Angus Hughes; Jack Baldry; Tom Calladine
Replacements: Connor Scott; Simeon Meek; Cameron McLaughlin; Jack Howieson; Fred Clark
Match Reporter: Geoff Vickress
Hereford Wyeside Hybrid 15-15 Luctonians 3rds
The Good - A very competitive game took place in glorious sunshine. Refereed by a very capable Official. watched by a huge Luctonians travelling support
The Bad - Our opposition Hereford Rugby club, 1st team could not Munster a front row, and forfeited their fixture against Kenilworth RFC in their respective league. The reality of this was that Hereford only had 18 players available across their whole senior squads.
The Ugly- Hereford's 18 players consisted of 12 players who have tasted first team rugby this year with 8 being regular first team players. Included in these 18 players were insufficient front row forwards so the games were to start with uncontested scrums.
The above is an off pitch matter that at the very least rises an eye brow, considering the contrast that yet again we had our usual 60 players playing rugby again this weekend.
The Game
We arrived at Hereford on a glorious sunny day, H20 would be heavily required today.
We have a full complement of Lucs lads, rotating players mainly around farming or shooting activities. It was a pleasure to see young Freddie Ralph, on debut for the 3rds more of him later. We had Will and Taylor our regular uni boys, and traveling reserve was Charles Izzard, (Thanks Charles!)
Our warm up was on point. Sharp and focussed, everyone was aware of the task and couldn't wait to get started.
So Lucs kick off, and Hereford gain a penalty at a breakdown on half way, they kick to the corner and as customary with the 3rd team this season we softly encourage the opposition to score first. To which Hereford didn't disappoint a driving maul from 7metres within 3 minutes, no conversion but an early wake up call.
Captain Huw spoke well under our posts to the lads, importantly from the players a will and determination was becoming evident.
Hereford start to gain a little ground, it’s clear by the hits that the Hereford hybrid team start lose a bit of confidence, as hit after hit by the likes of Dines, Legge and Lewis start to knock the stuffing out of there 1st team ball carriers. Unfortunately, indiscipline gave Hereford a penalty shot and duly kicked for points, the doubt’s were starting at this early stage that Hereford may be in trouble, with that decision not to take the 3rds on head on our stature changed, considering their sucess from their first try.
So it 8-0 to Hereford.
At this point we hadn't had too much ball to play with to take our shots, but our defense was imfatic. After a mix up of comms fielding a kick we knocked the ball on, on our own 5metre line. considering scrums were uncontested and their first team 8 at the back of the scrum we knew we had to be prepared. that we were within 4 phases Hereford were locked outside of our 22 and struggling for ideas. outstanding defence.
Huw Layton a young captain who I highly rate pitch side, Brings his men together. Yes in the first 20 mins we were finding our feet, it all change and our opposition don’t like it.
A few handbags off the ball, Hereford get the message we don’t get bullied, the once confident hybrid team look vulnerable. A Clerance kick from Hereford went over our heads which is normally a bad thing... but chasing back Tom Dines picks up the ball and carve his way past multiple weak Hereford defence and with 40 metres to go looked rather confused about being in the open but a slick long pass saw Ed Howath gallop over for our first score.
Some more handbags off the ball, with back chat and discipline from Hereford breaking down. Don’t think Goof is on Hybrids Christmas card list this year, Hereford are marched back again.
More handbags followed a lineout and the referee took this moment to assert her authority on the game with a yellow card's for both teams, our discipline from then on is outstanding. Squidge makes a 10m break smashing Hereford players out the way, Kieran then controls our next few phases Harry Lloyd making big dents in the Hereford defence. We have the better team and just need to make the most of our chances. Some great interlinking play pushes us further forward, until excellent combinations and support between Huw and Ben Williams II leads to Ben scoring in the corner on the stroke of half time. A very well worked try and reward for our increasing dominance. a hard conversion missed.
We have taken the lead 10-8 Half Time.
Huw Layton our Captain gives his chat at halftime, this is from the heart, reminding the team we are playing 8 of the cream from Hereford 1st team.
The game restarts, again I’ll discipline from Hybrid as they scrabble around probing to break our defence. Our players such as Sargent and Murrell with the bit between their teeth make ground on Hereford. Some great stripping out of the ball from our 3rds.
A penalty to Lucs after great breakdown work, through physicality and dominate tackling. just to the right of the posts 35m out we go for the points...we unfortunately miss, so far 7points from kicks gone begging we need to make sure we don't rue these.
The lads worked hard to claim territory through great defence and probing in attack only small mistakes and great last-ditch defence from the hosts were stopping the next score. Lucs were playing with maturity and calmness protecting their lead.
with 7 mins left, against the run of play a clever move down the blind side trapped our defence and is fully exploited and executed perfectly to run in for a converted try. Under the posts the boys were deflated and frustrated. a quick rallying call got the boys on their feet and willing to chase the converted try we needed for the win.
The attitude from the lads is outstanding every carry is strong every tackle is a dominant. we make strong inroads into the Hereford 22m, then either good defence of minor innaccuracys at the breakdown lead to Hereford escaping. we work hard to getting 5m out from the Hereford line only to be pinged at a breakdown for coming in at the side.
We compete at the resulting penalty kick to touch and work another chance. Excellent composure and attack lead's to strong ball carries near the Hereford line....we get over.....the ball looks down.....referee unsighted awards a goal line drop out, time is running out. our dreams of winning the league are slowly fading.
From the goal line drop out an unfortunate bounce causes us to knock the ball on...this could be it.
uncontested scrum leads to incredible defence.....TURNOVER!
One more try, one last attack, what do we have left.
We play with mega composure and control, dominating each phase. we work our way into Herefords 22m. we carry hard and direct, we create an over lap, we execute our passes, incredible play from Harry Lloyd and Ed Howath put...FREDDIE RALPH in for a try we have tied the game!! we have a kick to win to keep our league dream alive!!! What a play.
Unfortunately we didn't convert, we left 9 points out there from the boot. but we have out scored our hosts 3 tries to 2.
Full time Hereford 2nds 15 - Luctonians 3rds 15
Longest last 7minutes of any match! an incredible effort to be proud of, magnificent performance from every single member of the team.
Captain Huw Layton announces the awards:
Man of the match: Ed Howarth
Players player: Harry Lloyd
Debut player: Freddie Ralph - make a note of his name you’ll definitely see it again in senior rugby.
All that was left to do was wack on a sh*t shirt beat them in a boat race and take over Wyeside with a strong rendition of "I am a ranger, a Luctonian ranger" ringing through their clubhouse before we took our beer tokens on a crawl of the city's finest establishments that had karaoke....
Luctonians 3rds each one of you have played your hearts out today, from Andy/Trev and myself we could not have asked anymore - Thankyou.
Travel rating 7/10
Caravan community 10/10
Falcon
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