Newport 1st December

Luctonians 18 - 10 Newport

A STREETWISE display of Midlands One rugby from Luctonians proved the vital component in their fine 18-10 victory over Newport on Saturday to put an end to their recent poor run of results. Lucs, who had never beaten their Shropshire opponents at home, opted wisely to play up the slope and against the wind in the first half.

Lucs settled into their game and could have snatched a drop goal after 9 minutes but Brett Prior's effort was wide. Two missed penalties from the home side failed to unsettle the visitors who opened the scoring through second row Darren Brick when he forced his way over for an unconverted score. Newport missed another penalty to leave Lucs with a narrow but important 5-0 lead at the turnaround.

Lucs started the second-half brightly and after 55 minutes scrum-half Chris James chipped neatly over a ruck to allow his half-back partner Brett Prior to touch down for Lucs' second unconverted try. The home side missed a penalty but kicked another shortly afterwards after Lucs number eight Paul Hulland was yellow-carded, Newport slotted the resulting penalty but were soon reduced to 14 men as well when their own number eight was yellow carded.

Lucs pressed for the winning score and got their reward following some strong forward play, openside flanker Henry Lort crossing for a debut try. Lucs were unable to convert but Prior settled the affair slotting a penalty for the visitors after 70 minutes for an 18-3 scoreline.

Newport rallied late on and managed a converted consolation score but it came far too late to effect the end result.

Lucs face lower graded Derby in the latest round of the EDF National Trophy at home this week although the Mortimer Park men will be mindful that the Midlands 2 East club have already dispatched county opposition in the shape of Hereford in an earlier round of the competition in October.

Newport 2nd XV 28-30 Luctonians 2nd XV

Luctonians 2nd XV produced a thrilling display of committed defence and running rugby to earn them a well-deserved 30 points to 28 victory against Shropshire hosts Newport on Saturday. Lucs were understandably ring-rustyafter Kenilworth failed to bring a team to face them last week and the Mortimer Park men got off the the worst possible start, conceding two interception tries in the first 5 minutes, one of which was converted.

Newport kept up the pressure and slotted two more penalties for a commanding 17-0 lead. But Lucs were not about to give up and, after a strong rolling maul, prop Matt Ferguson crossed for an unconverted try. Minutes later Ferguson was on the scoresheet again to claim his second unconverted try, barging over from close range after multiple phases from the visitors. The visitors continued to pressure and eventually winger Sam Thomas raced over in the corner for Lucs' third score although they were unable to convert, fellow winger Pete Smith got in on the act shortly afterwards to give Lucs a narrow 20-17 lead at half-time.

Playing with the wind in the second half Lucs soon began to gather momentum and it was not long before centre Blake Kortweg broke through a wall of defenders to dot down, scrum-half Will Price added the extra points. The hosts hit back with a well-worked try in the corner but were unable to convert and were soon forced back deep into their own half, conceding a penalty for Price to convert.

The closing stages made for some tense few minutes but herioc tackling from Prop Ben McGowan and full-back Dan Ruell made sure of the result.

Luctonians Scorers:

Tries: Matthew Ferguson (2) Sam Thomas, Pete Smith, Blake Kortweg

Conversions: Will Price

Penalties: Will Price

Knighton 1st XV 0-10 Luctonians 3rd XV

Luctonians Scorers:

Tries: J. Evans

Conversions: Seb Robinson

Penalties: David Higgs