Luctonians 20 pts Leicester Lions 17

LUCTONIANS avenged a previous 24-11 defeat at Leicester with a narrow but entertaining victory which kept their promotion hopes alive in Powergen Midlands 1.

Both sides played open, running rugby in a game which neither really deserved to lose

Luctonians entertained Leicester Lions seeking revenge for a defeat earlier in the season.

The kick-off was delayed by 30 minutes due to the visitors' coach breaking down en route. The Lions started strongly showing an early indication to run the ball.

The first scoring opportunity came after four minutes but an attempted Leicester drop-goal drifted wide. For the first 15 minutes Leicester dominated the game before Luctonians broke away when winger Ryan Henshaw kicked through a dropped pass and dribbled 60 metres, only to lose the race for the touchdown.

This gave Luctonians a lift and a fine threequarter movement saw winger Andy Garrod stopped just short of the line. Midway through the half Leicester missed a 40-metre penalty but within five minutes had taken the lead when, following a scrum, quick inter-passing saw flanker Rudkin go over for a try which was converted by Berendze.

The home side hit back and after a period of pressure a slick threequarter movement saw Garrod score in the corner, Jeremy Wheadon adding a fine conversion.

Just before half-time Leicester broke through and almost scored before giving away a vital penalty which allowed Luctonians to relieve the pressure, leaving the score at 7-7.

Within two minutes of the restart Leicester missed a second penalty but five minutes later regained the lead when a fine threequarter movement put winger Bennett over wide out for an unconverted try.

Luctonians struck back almost immediately when, after winning good possession, full-back Wheadon burst through the centre and rounded his opposite number to score wide out before adding the extra points.

The home side increased their lead three minutes later when, after giving away a penalty, the visitors conceded a further 10 metres for dissent and Wheadon slotted over the kick from 30 metres.

After 65 minutes Lions drew level after Luctonians lost possession and another slick handling movement saw Rudkin go over in the corner for an unconverted try which levelled the scores.

But the visitors' lack of discipline once again let then down with back-chat to the referee who marched them back a further 10 metres which allowed Wheadon to slot over his second penalty.

The last 10 minutes saw the visitors throw everything at the Luctonians defence, which held firm for a vital victory.