Luctonians open three-point gap at head of table

3:00pm Thursday 20th November 2008

Luctonians 34 pts Longton 6.

LUCTONIANS reaffirmed their place at the top of Midlands One league table with a convincing 34-6 victory over Longton at Mortimer Park.

With Shropshire rivals Newport crashing to defeat at Bedford Athletic, the Kingsland club now have the benefit of a three-point cushion between them and second-placed Broadstreet.

Coming off a morale-boosting win at South Leicester, Luctonians were perhaps a little overconfident in their approach and soon found themselves behind 3-0 to a penalty for Longton centre Paul Green.

Green doubled the visitors' lead with a penalty following more indiscipline from the home side at the breakdown.

But the home side’s response was immediate and, after considerable pressure, Longton were found guilty of handling in the ruck, allowing full back Bruce Thomas to step up and land the penalty.

With half-time fast approaching, Luctonians showed their ability to step up a gear when, following neat combination play between forwards and backs, winger Pete Smith raced over.

Thomas converted to give his side a 10-6 lead at the interval.

Galvanised by their late score, the home side regrouped and made a characteristically strong start to the second half, allowing their back division and, in particular, their centre pairing to put their opponents to the sword.

Tries from Cameron Hewitt and Leon Mells were both converted by Thomas to ease the Herefordshire side into a comfortable 24-6 lead.

Outside-half Brett Prior got in on the act 10 minutes later, crossing for an unconverted try before Mells shrugged off two tackles to grab his second score.

The conversion was missed but Luctonians finished up comfortable winners at 34-6.