South Leicester 3rd November

LUCTONIANS crashed to their second consecutive defeat when they were pipped 17-16 at home by promotion rivals South Leicester.

The defeat means that Lucs slip to third place in Midlands 1 behind Longton and Loughborough Students.

The home side started strongly and forced South Leicester to concede a penalty after just five minutes, which outside-half Brett Prior converted. Both teams were then forced to wait when an injury to visiting centre Ife caused considerable delay. After 26 minutes Lucs produced the try of the game with fluid interpassing between the backs allowing left winger Andy Garrod to waltz over for an unconverted try and an 8-0 interval lead.

The second half started off in much the same vein and after concerted pressure from the Lucs forwards ,Prior slotted another penalty in the 49th minute. The visitors responded five minutes later with a penalty of their own through outside-half Mark Lord for a scoreline of 11-3. Lucs forwards got the bit between their teeth and after a series of rucks the ball was spread wide to allow Prior to go through a gap in the visiting defence and score – although he was unable to add the extra points.

Lucs then suffered a double blow with the loss of influential Second Row Darren Brick to injury and number 8 Paul Hulland to the sin bin. South Leicester took their opportunity and full-back Griffin crossed in the corner. A superb touchline conversion from Lord gave the visitors hope of snatching a result. Lucs' worst fears were realised in the 83rd minute when Lord took advantage of a gap near the Lucs posts to score. His conversion, a mere formality, imposed a heart-breaking 17-16 defeat on the home side.

This week Lucs travel to the Potteries to take on Longton. Lucs must rebuild and cope with the the loss of Chris Jaques through injury and Number 8 Paul Hulland to unavailability if they are to get a result.