Luctonians lack promotion form

LUCTONIANS lost ground in the Powergen Midlands 1 promotion battle with defeat to a side they had beaten 32-12 at home at the start of November.

Whitchurch are geographically Luctonians' nearest opponents but, despite the comparatively short ride, the visitors were still on the bus for the first 10 minutes of this match during which time they conceded a penalty and a try.

These eight points were to be Whitchurch's margin of victory but did not reflect the home side's superiority. Luctonians can, however, gain some consolation from restricting Whitchurch to two tries while scoring one themselves.

But the North Hereford-shire club's performance was below par and a disappointment for the large contingent of supporters who had travelled with them.

Whitchurch kicked off and Luctonians were soon penalised for holding the ball after a tackle. The Whitchurch penalty attempt became a mere formality as the referee marched Luctonians back a further 10 metres for a petulant and unnecessary remark and fly-half John Canney gratefully accepted the three points.

Another Luctonians' error quickly followed when in the eighth minute a 22-metre drop-out was unaccountably directed into the open spaces on the right for Whitchurch wing Jamie Dunne to gather and run down the touchline unopposed and cross in the corner.

The Whitchurch pack were playing well with number eight Andy Mussell living up to his name and always driving across the gain line from pick-ups at the back of the scrum. Whitchurch were in control in the lineouts, too, as Luctonians' throw-ins frequently went astray and the visitors spent the majority of the half doggedly defending.

It was the 30th minute before Luctonians set foot in the Whitchurch 22 when they declined a kickable penalty and elected to run it when opting for the three points might have been a wiser choice.

The half ended with Whitchurch again pressing and they scored a second try before the break when their pack drove towards the post and recycled the ball for right-wing Guy Stringer to cross wide out for his side to lead 13-0 at half-time.

Luctonians started the second half with a brief flourish but for the most part Whitchurch continued to dominate and, apart from a few gallops by number eight Darren Brick, there was little evidence of any co-ordinated Luctonians' attacks.

To their credit, however, they did pull back five points with a try from left-wing Andy Garrod in the 60th minute but at the final whistle they had been beaten by a better side.