Birkenhead Park

Luctonians 6 - 10 Birkenhead Park

A GUTSY performance from Luctonians was not enough to see them into the 5th round of the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup following a heart-breaking 10-6 defeat at the hands of Birkenhead Park. Lucs were understandably weary after their three-hour journey to Merseyside and were forced to contain a determined home side in the opening stages on a wet and heavy surface.

But the visitors, through a combination of determined defence and a new-found discipline, frustrated the North 1 side's attacks, despite having to make do with a makeshift front row for the second week running. The home side, although enjoying the edge up-front, looked out of ideas and midway through the first-half a strong run by Number 8 Paul Hulland from a maul down the left hand touchline gave the Luctonians backs a rare chance to attack. Strong running from the Lucs backline brought the visitors within metres of the goal line, forcing the home forwards to dive over and kill valuable possession. Scrum-half Chris James slotted the resulting penalty and put his side 3-0 in front at the break.

But the home side regrouped after the restart and began to use their superiority in the tight to their advantage. A wheeled scrum opened up the blindside for Birkenhead to allow livewire scrum-half Steve Lowry to race clear and put winger Jon Brennand in for an unconverted score. The home side could have extended their lead but Dave Hall's long-range penalty was wide, keeping the visitors in the hunt. Birkenhead were made to pay for some illegal scrummaging mid-way through the second half when James landed his second penalty to edge the visitors in front 6-5.

Heroic defending from Luctonians preserved their narrow lead until they conceded a heart-breaking late score. Strong mauling from the home side aided by some generous use of the advantage rule by the referee allowed Birkenhead to make ground up the right hand touchline before the visitors conceded a penalty for offside. The home side opted wisely to kick to the corner and after another unstoppable rolling maul the home side crashed over the line to allow prolific Hooker Chris Jones to emerge and claim his 28th try of the season.

After two narrow defeats in a row Lucs must regroup before they face the might of Loughborough Students at home next weekend, the University side sit on top of Midlands 1 and have just one defeat to their name this season.