Luctonians 44 pts Spalding 25

LUCTONIANS made a successful start to the campaign by beating Midlands 2 East side Spalding in the in the first round of the new Powergen National Trophy.

The home side applied early pressure but were unable to capitalise on their efforts.

After 16 minutes Spalding took the lead from their first serious attacking move when the home defence failed to clear and allowed full-back Tom Williamson to squeeze over in the corner.

His conversion attempt hit the upright and within five minutes fly-half Jeremy Wheadon replied with a well-struck penalty for Luctonians.

Straight from the restart the ball was gathered by Steve Jaques who drove forward, passing to newcomer Ramsey Dean who unloaded for James Owen to get inside his opposite number to score under the posts.

Wheadon landed the conversion and in the next 10 minutes he and Williamson exchanged penalties.

Luctonians were then beginning to put several phases of play together and were well in control.

On 35 minutes, flanker Jabbs Greasley snapped up a loose ball and darted over for a try wide out which Wheadon converted.

And just before half-time Alex Smith, who was making his first-team debut, burst through the centre to give Troy Looms an easy touchdown under the posts. Wheadon's kick took Luctonians' to a healthy-looking 27-8 at half- time.

The first 10 minutes of the second half were uninspiring and there was a delay when former Luctonians player Peter Shakespeare had lengthy treatment for an ear injury.

Spalding then lost flanker Tony Crowley to a yellow card for illegal footwork but straight away they created space in the backs for centre Jason Koetze to score in the corner. Williamson's conversion attempt again hit an upright.

Luctonians then made four substitutions but seemed to lose their shape and for 15 minutes were all at sea.

The visitors reduced the margin to seven points when scrum-half Harry Sharman burst through several miss-tackles to score under the posts and Williamson added the extra points.

But on 70 minutes Wheadon slotted over a 35-metre penalty to steady the nerves of the home supporters. Five minutes later Mark Panniers gathered a long pass from opposite winger Andy Garrod to weave his way over for a try, Wheadon converting.

The visitors stormed back and Sharman claimed his second try of the afternoon following a quick tap-penalty but the conversion attempt drifted wide.

Deep into injury-time Spalding attempted to counter-attack from their own 22-metre line but lost the ball and winger Garrod kicked through to score near the post.

Wheadon again added the extra points for Luctonians to run out worthy winners and ready to meet Bromsgrove at Mortimer Park in the next round.

l Luctonians 2nd also made a flying start with a 56-0 away win over Clee.

Tries were scored by Tom Dines (2), Sam Bowen (2), Sam O'Sullivan, James Powell, Joff Bemand, Jed Barnett, Guy Davenport and Mike Davles, while Bowen landed two conversions and Sam McGowan, one.