Luctonians 19 v 45 Stourbridge

Luctonians RFC  19 v 45  Stourbridge RFC

Saturday 14th September 2019

By Geoffers

 

What a cracking day it was going to be, weather set fair, perhaps a trifle warm for a game of rugby, full house in the clubhouse, roast ham with veg and something pear with vanilla cream to sweeten the palette. And with Thommo taking charge of proceedings with his usual on the edge pre match banter, Charlie ‘El Presidente’ Blandford following with some nonsense that he can’t recall all his sons-in-law names like.. just call them all John, it’s easy..! And of course, no first home game could be the same without the ubiquitous Burkey once again at his irreverent irrelevant best.

And as always, and he absolutely hates praise as he is such a modest guy, but Knocker’s pitch was looking immaculate. It has to be said that Smithy has put his fair share of work in as well, and the whole ground looked an absolute picture of good health.

Good crowd outside listening to the ‘All New’ Wayne and Charlotte mix of tunes pumping away from the speakers pre match during players warm-up, and with the last-minute pre-match nonsense from the Yours Truly messed up, some might say thankfully, as the microphone didn’t work.

All fixed as the game starts with anxious anticipation as the Alex ‘Chuck’ Davidson coached visitors (he of course once of Lucs), not on the bench as the programme suggested, and they all looked a tad larger in height, muscle and waistline than the highly tuned athletes in the Black and White.

Lucs had the crowd in a frenzy with two early scores, when they raced into an early lead when Mike Cheasley (so good to see ‘Cheese’ back in full fitness after a couple of seasons away with injuries) crashed over after only 2 minutes, following good inter passing from Josh Watkins and Frank Kelly. And the home crowd were really getting excited when Kelly added a second from an interception, converted by Will Burton with only 5 minutes on the clock to lead 12 -0.

But that was as good as it got for Lucs, as the visitors’ pack dominated possession for most of the first half giving them ample opportunities to give their back line plenty of possession. Lucs defended stubbornly in the red zone, but the ever alert Heatley, who was a menace all game, side stepped through for the first of his two scores on 17 minutes; before Collingham , we thought in the stand that it was Montieri, somehow found a way through the Lucs defence on the blindside to score after 27 mins, and with Heatley again skipping through from close in on 33, Scott converting, saw them into a lead at half time.

 

Half Time Score
Luctonians 12 v 19 Stourbridge

 

Big draw for the Ladies Netball with three big hampers of “alcohol” drawn for at half time, I never seem to know anyone who wins these to assist in sharing the delights on offer. Plenty then to ponder for the home crowd over their drinks and burgers, and for Lucs in the changing rooms with the visitors looking to out-muscle them again in the second period.

Seb Robinson was off the bench, and on the wing for Lucs, and when he squirrelled over after 52mins, with Will Burton converting to level the points count we were feeling optimistic of beating one of those teams that always seem to get the better of us.

But those feelings were short lived as the visitors ran in 4 tries without reply in the last 20 minutes against a Lucs side who were guilty of errors and tiring with injuries taking their toll, which the away side were quick to capitalise on.

Lea bundled over from close in, followed by Rundle with the try of the game following an excellent passing move, and with Morgan and Haisla adding to their try count before the final whistle. With Scott converting 5 for a 10-point haul this was a strong and positive result for Stourbridge who will be keen push on from 2 early season victories. Luctonians will dust themselves down and look to collect points away on the road next week at Hinckley.

 

Full Time Score
Luctonians 19 v 45 Stourbridge

 

Luctonians Man of the Match

Frank Kelly

 

Match Star Man

Sam Montieri (Stourbridge)

 

Luctonians Scorers

Tries:  Mike Cheasley (2mins),  Frank Kelly (5mins), Seb Robinson (52mins)

Cons: Will Burton (6mins, 53mins)

Stourbridge Scorers

Tries: Heatley (17, 33mins), Collingham (27mins), Lea (61mins), Rundle (68mins), Morgan (70mins), Haisla (75mins)

Cons: Scott (18, 33, 62, 68, 70mins)

 

Luctonians

Josh Watkins,  Rob Bengry, Drew Cheshire, Frank Kelly, Rob Crowley, Will Burton,  Louis Silver; Connor Deignan, Callum Young, Joe White, Mike Cheasley, Ben Davies-Moore, Max Hill, Mat Hackley, Aiden Cheshire

Replacements: Ryan Smeilus, Ben Link, Stefan Posta, Seb Robinson, Owen Randell

Stourbridge

A Haisla, M Harrison, G Morgan, H Riley, D Rundle, C Scott, J Heatley, S Thorpe, J Lea, C Thorne, L Griffiths, N Murphy, T Mukarati,  S Montieri, J Collingham

Replacements: M George, A Maxwell, C Depper, M Worthingham, F Morgan

 

Referee

Mr Neil Chivers

 

NEXT – AWAY AT HINCKLEY – 21st SEPTEMBER

100 mile trip up the tarmac for next weeks fixture against a side who have a 0-2 record so far this season, so will be an ideal opportunity to bounce back for the Lucs and rebuild on the excellent start away at Tynedale.

Chester follows on 28^th Sept for ‘Lucs in Pink Day’ back at Mortimer Park. One of the highlights of the season for the Luctonians Charity Group, where their efforts are to be applauded loudly for the funds they have raised for good causes these past few seasons.

So, if you can’t make Hinckley next week, don’t miss the Chester game. Its sure to be a big occasion both on and off the park.

Travel arrangements will be in the Securcom Lucsline during the week.

Be there and #MakeSomeNoise

 

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 #Nat2N

 

Geoff Vickress

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