Luctonians 20 v 24 Chester
Luctonians RFC 20 v 24 Chester RUFC
Saturday 28th September 2019
By Geoffers
A tale of two halves at Luctonians with the first half wind at their backs giving Chester the advantage. Luctonians were driven back on many occasions by Chester’s ability to kick deep and force Lucs back into their 22.
And they took full advantage, with the hosts conceding penalties allowing their opponents to set up driving mauls in their red zone from which they capitalised on three times in the first 40mins. Alick Croft was driven over after 12 minutes with Callum Bennett adding the extras.
Guy Kirkby was sent to the bin not long after, as Lucs struggled to cope with the pressure being applied, and Andy Oakden’s similar score from another driving maul on the half hour had the home side on the ropes with little to show in terms of threatening their opponents’ line.
Although Lucs rallied before half time, Chester drove home their 3rd try when Kyle Joseph again trolleyed over following Lucs ill-discipline. So, a 0-19 score when the sides went in at half time and Lucs were hoping the wind would be in their favour for the second 40.
Half Time Score
Luctonians 0 v 19 Chester
And Lucs responded with vengeance. Straight away the young 18-year-old Josh Phipps, playing only his second game for the team, kicked an excellent penalty to get the home side on the scoreboard.
The large crowd rallied the home side, playing in Pink today as part of their Fund-Raising efforts for various local charities, and Callum Young was dutifully driven over from Lucs first rolling maul on 46 minutes, Josh Phipps again immaculate from the tee. The youngster added a second penalty in difficult kicking conditions and the home side began to have hope of pulling round the first half deficit to trail by only 6 points 13-19.
Excellently marshalled by their captain Mat Hackley, who tackled himself into the ground, the home side had their opponents on the ropes. But an alert Harrison Vare, spotted a gap in the Lucs back line and skipped through to push them further in front on 50 minutes 13-24 to secure their bonus point.
Lucs responded and were unfortunate on a couple of occasions not to add to their tally, when a stout Chester offence, often pushing the boundaries of the official’s patience saw them clear their lines. Kyle Joseph saw yellow for Chester on 70mins and Lucs capitalised with Josh Watkins darting over again following good work from Phipps who added the extras.
Lucs gained a last-minute penalty and kicked to the corners looking to another driving maul of their own, but Chester stole the line out to secure the honours and will be well pleased with their second half defensive effort whilst Lucs will be disappointed to only pick up a losing bonus point for all their hard work.
Full Time Score
Luctonians 20 v 24 Chester
Rob Lewis
Luctonians Scorers
Tries: Callum Young (46), Josh Watkins (72)
Cons: Josh Phipps (47, 73)
Pens: Josh Phipps (42, 50)
Chester Scorers
Tries:
Alick Croft (12), Andy Oakden (30), Kyle Joseph (37), Harrison Vare (55)
Cons: Callum Bennett (30,31)
Luctonians
Josh Watkins, Seb Robinson, Frank Kelly, Rob Lewis, Charlie Meredith, Josh Phipps, Owen Randell; Tom Furnival, Guy Kirkby, Joe White, Conor Turner, Owien Harriott-Davis, Callum Young, Mat Hackley, Max Hill
Replacements:
Ryan Smeilus, Cam Tawfik, Aiden Cheshire, Connor Deignan, Rob Bengry
Chester
Mark Dixon, Sean Green, Andrew Oakden, Matt van Sertima, Harrison Vare, Callum Bennett, Josh Morris; Colin Campbell, Alick Croft, Rhodri Parry, Harry Wilkinson, Jonny Charmley, Michael Craven, George Baxter, Kyle Joseph
Replacements:
Scott Robson, Alex Reed, Oliver Buckley, James Lloyd, Thomas Holloway
Next week, Saturday 5th October, we trip to the Wirral to take on Caldy RUFC who currently sit in the top spot.
As usual, the Alacadoos will be laying on a supporters bus for those that can travel.
Please phone Chris Southgate (07770 920273) or Huw Davies (01568 708450) to reserve a seat.
Just a reminder that the most important event in the Lucs Social calendar takes place on Sunday 6th October. This is a superb afternoon of general Bon Jovie, with excellent cuisine and drinks, to celebrate yet another successful season by the Luctonians Pétanque Society.
It’s a date not to be missed and, if you’re quick, we can fit in some more guests. So, if you wish to come along please book your places for this not to be missed occasion. Email events@luctonians.co.uk
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
Club Main Sponsor
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