Kenilworth 24th November

Luctonians 12 - 12 Kenilworth

LUCTONIANS' dip in form continued on Saturday when they dropped a vital league point after surrendering another comfortable lead, this time against visiting Kenilworth to draw 12-12. And the Warwickshire side, who were boosted off the back of three consecutive wins and the inclusion of a number of experienced players, could have snatched a late win but their 75th minute conversion struck the crossbar.

Lucs started the stronger of the two teams and following several strong surging forward drives, flanker Ollie King burst over for the home side's first score although they were unable to convert. But Lucs' dominance was not to continue and in the 28th minute Kenilworth missed an easy penalty when Outside Half Chris Brown's effort was wide of the target. A Battle of attrition followed with neither set of forwards able to get the better of their opponents and in the 34th minute Number 8 Paul Hulland was yellow-carded for failing to roll away in the tackle.

Kenilworth fluffed another golden opportunity to take advantage of the sin-binning when they missed another penalty through Brown on the stroke of half-time. Lucs reasserted their dominance after the restart when after several strong mauls, Kenilworth flanker Francis Nock was yellow-carded. The Mortimer Park men took advantage of their numerical superiority when, after a powerful five-yard scrum was driven over the visiting line, Paul Hulland made amends for his earlier transgression with a score from the base.

Chris James added the extras for the home side for a 12-0 lead.

But the lack of concentration which has dogged Luctonians' performances of late was evident again which allowed the visitors to break the line out wide and let Kenilworth full-back Andrew Whitehall over for a score. Chris Brown found his range and added the conversion to peg the Lucs lead back to 12-7.

Lucs' complacent defending was once again punished by the visitors when Peter Roberts, playing at full-back joined the line and burst through to cross for the visitors' second score. But a collective sigh of relief from the Lucs' faithful was heard when Brown's conversion struck the crossbar and bounced away to let the home side off with a draw. Lucs drop to 5th place following the result but are still only 5 points off the leaders Loughborough Students but they face a difficult task if they are to come away with a result against Shropshire opponents Newport who they visit on Saturday.

Luctonians Scorers:

Tries: Ollie King, Paul Hulland

Conversions: Chris James