A VERY efficient Luctonians performance, against a game Chester side, saw the hosts record yet another bonus point victory and extend their lead at the top of National 2 West.

With another large home crowd roaring on the Luctonians side, they outscored their opponents six tries to three for another five-point haul. 

Lucs were ahead in the third minute when centre Lewis Parkes stretched out after bouncing off a couple of Chester defenders to touch down.

Louis Silver converting for a 7-0 lead.

The hosts doubled their lead on 16 minutes when full-back Josh Watkins danced through for their second score after concerted pressure from the hosts, with Silver again converting.

Chester were given a boost on 27 minutes when Sam Hayler was sin binned for the home side after numerous high tackles left the referee with no option.

This allowed the visitors to gain a foothold in the game and eventually repeated pressure told and standout winger Gethin Long cantered in at the corner.

James Preston excellently converting to reduce the deficit to 14-7 at half-time.

At the restart, Luctonians winger Charlie Grimes was unlucky to see yellow for a collision in the air on the kick-off and this meant Lucs would face another 10 minute block a man down.

But the 14 players rallied as prolific try scorer Ben Link was put in at the corner on 44 minutes.

This was the first of another hat-trick of tries for Link who moved level at the top of the league’s try-scoring charts with team-mate Grimes, with Silver again converting to lead 21-7.

Despite being down a man, Lucs looked stronger with Hackley going over from a driving maul and Silver converted, the hosts were 28-7 ahead, with the bonus point secured on 46 minutes.

Chester responded and were duly rewarded when prop Joshua Woods was driven over on 56 minutes to give them a glimmer of hope, Preston again converting to halve the deficit at 28-14.

But the league leaders were in no mood to concede this result and a further two tries from their dynamic hooker Link, both from driving mauls, saw them put the result beyond any doubt.

Man of the match Tom Jones, kicked the extras. There was some consolation for Chester with Long having the privilege of getting the final score of the game (42-19) but despite a valiant late effort they were unable to gain a fourth try for a bonus point.

Luctonians now have a 10-point lead at the summit of the division National 2 West.

However, with over half the season remaining the Herefordshire men won’t be taking anything for granted as they face a tricky test on the road at Weston-Super-Mare based Hornets next week.