LUCS 35 – 7 OLD REDS

LUCS REIGN THROUGH THE DELUGE

Luctonians RFC vs Old Redcliffians RFC
Saturday 20th September 2025 – Mortimer Park
Match Report by Geoff Vickress

Mortimer Park suffered a deluge for about an hour of this highly anticipated game between Lucs and Old Redcliffians, with the home side coming out successful, and winning comfortably in the end, 35-7 after only holding a slender 14-7 lead at half time.

Credit to the Old Reds, who stuck manfully to their guns until the end, but they were outdone by a superb performance from Tom Jones, whose kicking from hand and accuracy from the tee was exemplary.

Lucs opened the scoring after 7 minutes, when George Bennett stole away to score, following good work by the excellent home No9, Owen Randell; Tom Jones with the first of his conversions from a difficult angle. They were further in front when Jack Goodwin scrambled over from a driving maul, close in, to dot down; Jones again converting the extras (14-0).

But Old Reds were not to be outdone, and remained committed to their cause when the busy Austin Tovey managed to pounce on a loose ball, from again a close in driving maul, in Lucs territory to reduce the scoreline to 14-7; Ashley Groves converting. It was to be their only success in the match.

The rains came and made ball handling difficult, and both sides suffered from knock-on ball and unfortunate penalties, but neither would add to their score before oranges.

Half Time Score
Luctonians RFC 14 – 7 Old Redcliffians RFC

The second half became a kicking game, with Tom Jones kicking excellently from hand, gaining the home side 2-3 line outs deep in Old Reds territory, after kicking 50-22s. It was from one of his efforts that Lucs increased their lead, when Jack Goodwin dived over for his second try from close in; Jones edging the home side further ahead 21-7.

Another Jones deft kick once again saw the home side in Old Reds’ red zone, and this time the alert James Mear crept off the back of the maul to dot down; Jones again kicking for a 28-7 lead on the hour mark.

Old Reds manfully worked their way downfield on a couple of occasions, but never really troubled an excellent Lucs defensive line, much to their annoyance, when they believed that decisions were going against them when they had opportunities.

Owen Randell rounded off his excellent performance, when his chase from a George Bennett kick-through on halfway, bounced favourably over the try line for him to grab and dot down in the last 5 minutes; Jones again immaculate from the tee.

Full Time Score
Luctonians RFC 35 – 7 Old Redcliffians RFC

Lucs’ Head Coach, George Thomas, said after the match that he was obviously very pleased with the result, adding, “Despite the atrocious conditions, the boys stuck to the game management plan. The impact of our bench was excellent, and made a big difference against what is a very useful Old Reds side”.

Lucs travel to Exeter Uni next Saturday, looking to keep their winning theme going, with Old Reds looking to secure their first points of the season at home to Chester.

Star Man
Tom Jones
Luctonians RFC

On our Facebook page, you can check out the Live scoreline with goal-line video footage of the Lucs tries and shortly a grandstand view of the try highlights. You will also soon be able to enjoy a selection of action pics from Andrew Hargraves. You can also find pictures taken by Dennis Dixon, for The Rugby Paper.

Picture Credit – Andrew Hargraves. Luctonians