Bedford Athletic 1st March

Luctonians 20 -22 Bedford Athletic

LUCTONIANS missed a golden opportunity move into second place inMidlands 1 when they were pipped 22-20 in an exciting encounter at Bedford Athletic on Saturday.

Lucs travelled to the East Midlands without a number of key players but with experienced prop Ben McGowan taking charge of the side, the Kingsland Club to the initiative from the kick off. Winger Mark Panniers collected his neat chip ahead to score in the first minute to put his side ahead although they were unable to convert. The home side responded when lightning-quick winger Fernley Simmonds sped home after 11 minutes for an unconverted score. Disaster struck for Lucs when skipper McGowan was yellow carded for handling in the ruck and scrum-half and kicker Chris James suffered an ankle injury, but the hosts could not take advantage, allowing the visitors to regroup and edge themselves ahead with a penalty from replacement scrum-half Brett Prior. But Bedford hit back two more tries for the elusive Simmonds, one of which was converted by Ashley Tapper, following some intricate backplay, to give the home side a 17-8 lead at the break.

Lucs got themselves within range after the restart but Prior's penalty attempt was off-target which allowed Bedford to get themselves back into the game and it was not long before Simmonds bagged his fourth score to extend the home lead to 22-8 after he won the race to achip-ahead. But Lucs were not finished and showed tremendous character to hit back with a quick brace of tries.The first came when Number 8 Paul Hulland picked up to score after a powerful pushover scrum which was converted by Prior. Shortly before, Panniers got his second try when he rounded the covering defence to score in the corner. Lucs were now pushing for the winning score and continued to dominate possession and territory into the final minutes, but after a wrong option in midfield the ball was turned over and scrambled into touch to give Bedford the victory. Lucs will be disappointed to have allowed their opponents so much possession, especially with the calibre of Bedford's backline.This week Lucs host Dunstablians as they look to keep up the pressure on Broadstreet and Longton above them in the league, although the Mortimer Park side are suffering with injuries to Scrum-half Chris James and forwards Steve Jaques, Henry Lort and Paul Hulland.