Lucs 31 v 19 Sheffield Tigers
Luctonians RFC v Sheffield Tigers RUFC
Saturday 16th April 2022
Mortimer Park
Match Reporter: Geoff Vickress
An entertaining game at Luctonians saw the home side overturn a half time deficit and, being down to 13 players, to beat Sheffield Tigers before a large and enthusiastic home support.
Tigers started the better side and were good value for their early lead on 13 minutes when Will Bennett was driven over after Lucs had been penalised for scrum penalties leading to a line out drive in their red-zone. The reliable boot of James Broadley converting for 0-7 lead.
Lucs’ reply was almost immediate when the hard charging Rob Aikman broke through with Cheick Kone on his shoulder only to be held up illegally. Lucs’ resulting line out saw Connor Deignan roll off the back of the maul to bring the score back to 5-7.
Cheick Kone for Lucs was show a yellow after 35 minutes for alleged foul play and Lucs were now under serious pressure. Then, when Tigers got the better of a string of scrum penalties in Lucs’ red zone once again, it was no surprise they were awarded a penalty try, with Lucs seeing their second yellow and down to 13 men with Connor Deignan receiving the card right on half time.
Half Time Score
Luctonians RFC 5 v 14 Sheffield Tigers RUFC
Lucs came out second half, despite being down to 13 players, all guns blazing and from the kick off quick ball fed the lively Josh Watkins who scooted through a gap in the Tigers backline without being challenged to score, with Owen Randell converting to bring the home side back to within 2 points at 12-14.
The home side, cheered on by the vocal home crowd, started to make inroads into the Tigers defensive line and the warm weather saw the forwards of Tigers wilt under the Lucs onslaught. It was no surprise when the home side’s top scorer Sam Jones wriggled over for his 9th try of the season, Randell again converting to put the home side ahead 19-14.
And the home side continued to press for their desire to establish and secure one of their best league finishes for many seasons, and they consolidated the result when James Wheeler finished off a flowing backs move for a 24-14 score line.
Broadley took advantage of some slack tackling in the home defence late into the game to run in from half way for the Tigers, his conversion being charged down to reduce the deficit at 24-19, but Lucs gave their vibrant home support one last hoorah when Josh Nott squirmed over with the clock running down, Tom Jones who had a great kicking game throughout, converting to secure the points for a 31-19 result.
Lucs travel for a local derby next week away at Stourbridge before entertaining champions elect Hull at home for their last game in what is Northern Division 2.
Full Time Score
Luctonians RFC 31 v 19 Sheffield Tigers RUFC
Luctonians Scorers
Tries: Connor Deignan (16), Josh Watkins (41), Sam Jones (50), James Wheeler (65), Josh Nott (75)
Conv: Owen Randell (41, 52), Tom Jones (76)
Sheffield Tigers Scorers
Tries: Will Bennett (11), Penalty (40), James Broadley (74)
Conv: James Broadley (12)
Star Man
Rob Aikman
(Luctonians – Outside Centre)
Luctonians
Josh Watkins; James Wheeler; Rob Aikman; Ben Owen; Rob Bengry; Tom Jones; Owen Randell: Connor Deignan; Ben Link; Joe White ©; Cheick Kone; Owien Harriot-Davis; Tom Smith; Seb Robinson; Sam Jones
Replacements: Ben Murphy; Brad Smith; Aiden Cheshire; Gethin Davies; Josh Nott
Sheffield Tigers
Greg Mellor; Chris Keetley; Sam Wager; Oliver Church; Lee Monks; James Broadley; Ryan Holmes: Will Bennett; Louis Townsend; Nicholas Bingham; Joseph Fitzsimons; Charles Cone; Angus Hughes; Jack Baldry; Tom Calladine
Replacements: Connor Scott; Simeon Meek; Cameron McLaughlin; Jack Howieson; Fred Clark
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