Derby 19 v 70 Luctonians

Midlands Premier League

Derby RFC  19 v 70  Luctonians RFC

Saturday 30th March 2019

By Geoffers

Just for a change, and with an invitation from the Luctonians Charity Group for a evening away in Derby following the game, I travelled to Haslams Lane with a mad bunch of ladies wearing what can only be described as some dubious headwear. Luckily, there were one or two like-minded sensible chaps to support the Lucs in their quest for another 5 pointer to keep the pressure on at the top of the Midlands Premier League. We were not to be disappointed with the Rugby or our short vacation.

It was a beaut of a day in Derby and the 4/5G pitch was looking almost as tidy as the one Knocker prepares at Mortimer Park. Loads of additional support with many travelling up by car and of the course the Alacadoos. Once again we were not to be disappointed as the tries flowed and the points tally ratcheted up once again into high double figures.

The game kicked off, and no sooner had I started my stop-watch, than Isaac Fanueli was skipping over the line, with Louis Silver converting, and Lucs were 7 points to the good. It was a 14-point lead only minutes later when the ‘try machine’ that is Josh Watkins was again leaving everyone in his wake as he added to Derby’s woes, with Louis adding the extras again before the first 10 minutes had passed.

Lucs were in control and, as early as it was in the game, it already looked like we were going to rattle in a few tries against a Derby side who, although bottom of the league, had a few players with some great touches which we were to find out about later.

13 minutes and John Morris was over the line for his first of three tries. Solid Lucs’ scrum 5 metres out, quick ball from Louis Silver and Morris touches down on the second bounce after being tackled. Silver, who kicked every conversion on the day for a personal tally of 20 points, added the extras.

21 to nil and Lucs’ intensity was troubling Derby. The lads were playing with confidence and at pace and, on what was a hot day, the coaching team were concerned about ‘burn-out’ as, at times, the speed of play was electric.

John Morris was in again for the bonus point try just before the half hour mark, set up by Callum Young who was excellent throughout.  Will Burton was on the score sheet almost immediately after, closely followed by Josh Watkins again, who ran in try number 6 from all of 60 metres. He later admitted that even he was “blowing”, as he was chased all the way by a Derby defender.

42 points to the good and we hadn’t played 35 minutes, with the last 3 tries having all been scored in an 8 minute purple patch. However, before the break, and just to keep the boys alert to the cause, Derby nicked a try of their own with a cheeky little dink kick and chase by their more than useful fullback Van Wyk.

 

Half Time Score
Derby  7 v 42  Luctonians

 

 7-42 and Lucs stayed out half time to catch a ray or two of sunshine, much like the Lucs supporting contingent who were certainly making some noise. The boards, I hear you ask, did we bang the boards? Yes, we bloody well did and yes, they bloody well hurt as well, as they were made of steel.

Harry Whiteman enters the fray at half time for Conor Turner, and we weren’t long waiting for try 7 when Guy Kirkby is driven over after splintering away from a driving maul.

Time for more changes, as Giles Morell enters the fray for his Lucs debut, with Dan Powell on for Joe White. 50minutes on the watch and John Morris scores again, following good work by Drew Cheshire. 56 points and still half an hour to play.

Derby now started to play some good rugby of their own, and perhaps the earlier warning signs of ‘burn out’ needed to be heeded as, at times, Lucs play became over complicated. Indeed, after the hosts scored their second try, the game slowed down in its intensity for a short period.

Aiden Cheshire however wasn’t for slowing down, and he collected a pass from Rob Bengry to score on 68 minutes, before Derbys No12, Castledine, sidestepped his way through the Lucs defence to add their final points making the score 19-63 with 10 minutes to play.

Giles Morell then made his debut moment of the match, as his pace enabled him to get across the field to stop Derby’s wing adding to their tally with a fine tackle late on, before Guy Kirkby performed a full somersault with triple lutz to showboat over in the dying minutes for Lucs’ final score following a great piece of team play.

70 points scored. 10 tries, and all converted. It doesn’t get much better than that.
[Or does it? Ed.]

It’s all on the Lucs Bookface page.

 

Full Time Score
Derby  19 v 70  Luctonians

 

Luctonians Man of the Match

Callum Young

 

Luctonians Scorers

Tries: Isaac Fanueli (2), Josh Watkins (8,34), John Morris (13, 27, 50), Will Burton (31), Guy Kirkby (43, 78) Aiden Cheshire (68)

Conversions: Louis Silver – He kicked every one, 10 in total. Marvellous.

Derby Scorers

(Full record unavailable at time)

 

Luctonians

Rob Bengry, Drew Cheshire, Josh Watkins, Isaac Fanueli, John Morris, Will Burton, Louis Silver; Connor Deignan, Guy Kirkby, Joe White, Conor Turner, Owien Harriott-Davies, Callum Young, Mat Hackley, Aiden Cheshire

Replacements: Dan Powell, Harry Whiteman, Giles Morrell

Derby

(Full record unavailable at time)

 

 

NEXT – Doncaster Phoenix

at Home, Saturday 6th April, KO 3:00pm

Still to come Doncaster Phoenix at home next week, who will provide us a tougher battle than we had at Derby, and Lichfield (Away), who will want to give their home support something to cheer about on the last week of regular season. We will be there to give our boys our full vocal support as well. No doubt many of you will be at both games as well, as the Lucs continue to push for the promotion they deserve.

What goes on tour stays on tour but, needless to say, we had a great after match and evening in Derby, albeit one or two of us more aging party people were real party-poopers by going to bed before midnight as we needed our beauty sleep, well aware we would lose an hour with clocks altering. Great game, great support and great result, can’t ask for better. Lets do it all again next week for the last regular season home game at Mortimer Park and, “Make some noise”.

Be there and #MakeSomeNoise

[Be there wearing #TheBlackandWhite for the last Home Game this Saturday. Ed]

 

For all you dedicated supporters looking to see what the first team are all about and wanting to keep in touch, please go to our Facebook Page (click Here) or follow these hashtags on social media:

#WeareLucs #LucsOnes #MoreThanJustTwenty #MidlandsPremier

Geoff Vickress

 

NB: No18 Rob Crowley, replaced by Giles Morell

 

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