Newport 16 pts Luctonians 3.

A DAMAGING defeat in Shropshire looks to have scuppered Luctonians’ hopes of reaching the end-of-season Midlands 1 play-offs.

Luctonians have slipped to fourth place in the table and, with just one league match left, their destiny is no longer in their own hands.

The Herefordshire side will need to beat second-placed Kenilworth at home in their last game to have any chance of the second spot.

But a victory for Luctonians on April 18 could open the way for third-placed Chester.

Should Luctonians beat Kenilworth, a victory for Chester at home to Newport, would give the Cheshire outfit the play-off spot.

There could be one last twist in the promotion race but Luctonians will be bitterly disappointed after heading the table at Christmas.

Luctonians suffered a pre-match blow in their must-win clash at Newport when Cameron Hewitt was injured in the warm-up.

Hewitt had to leave the fray after just six minutes but Luctonians held their own in an evenly-contested opening period.

Newport took the lead with a penalty after 24 minutes and then extended their advantage with the opening try in the 35th minute.

Chris Ingram crashed over in the corner after a sustained period of Newport pressure to put the hosts 8-0 in front.

Luctonians thought they had scored through Brett Prior but the referee could not be certain and did not allow the try.

A 50th-minute penalty from Andy Garrod eventually put Luctonians on the scoreboard.

But Newport hit back and Tomas Tanumi went over for a crucial score which propelled the Shropshire side into a 13-3 advantage.

Luctonians’ hopes of getting back into the match vanished when the referee was unsighted for Paul Hulland’s pushover effort.

The Herefordshire’s fate was sealed in the 68th minute when Jamie Simpson slotted over a penalty for Newport.