JOSH WATKINS scored the only try as Luctonians ground out a 13-6 home victory in awful conditions against Bournville.

Ground staff at Mortimer Park somehow got the game on after snow and frost earlier in the week made way to Storm Bert throwing down torrential rain for at least five hours before kick-off.

Both sides agreed to play, but with standing water appearing as the game reached its finale in the ever-descending gloom it was never going to be a classic.

The conditions made the game a great leveller and both sides struggled throughout with the wet ball, often with simple passes having to be juggled and often knocked on.

Luctonians started the brighter, but it was Bournville who had the opportunity to score the first points when awarded a penalty in Lucs 22 following a line out infringement. However, Freddie Morgan conspired to miss a difficult chance.

Lucs put the first points on the board after 14 minutes when they moved the ball swiftly across the backs from a driving maul on Bournville’s dead ball line, to set Watkins in for a simple dot down near the uprights, Owen Randall converting to give the home side a 7-0 advantage.

The game was marred with stoppages and interruptions with neither side gaining any territorial advantage, and neither looked like adding to the points tally.

Following a minor fracas just before the half hour, Bournville did indeed get on the score sheet, when Lucs were penalised for not releasing the ball, which allowed Freddie Morgan to kick the visitors within four points at 7-3 behind at half-time.

Bournville started the second half brightly and with more momentum, a 50-22 gave them an excellent positional opportunity early in the half.

However, the conditions saw their chance squandered as defences ruled and denied either side any meaningful ground advantage.

The home side slowly clawed their way back into the game, now playing with the wind and rain at their backs.

Lucs scrum half Owen Randell had the opportunity to stretch his side’s lead with a penalty goal attempt from 35-metres out which he converted (10-3).

Bournville struggled to get near the home sides try line however and they will rue a couple of missed chances with kicks from penalties that would have dragged them back into the game on the score board.

Morgan did knock one over just on the hour to reduce the deficit to 10-6, but this was their last chance with Luc’s having the upper hand, as the game splashed its way to its conclusion.

Centre Bryn Goodall kicking one penalty, but also missing one attempt in the last 10 minutes, before he saw yellow for a cynical tackle when in offside position.

 However, his kicks gave the home side a 13-6 win which keeps them in the hunt at the top of National 2 West.

Both sides will relish the free weekend before the pre-Christmas round of fixtures kick-off, Luctonians travelling to Exeter University.