Luctonians beaten at Darlington Mowden Park in National Two North (From Hereford Times)

Luctonians beaten at Darlington Mowden Park in National Two North

5:30pm Thursday 25th October 2012 in Sport

Darlington Mowden Park 34 pts Luctonians 18.

LUCTONIANS crashed to defeat in National League Two North after conceding three tries in a disastrous spell when Darlington were down to 14 men.

It was Luctonians’ first-ever visit to Darlington Mowden Park and they also paid the price for failing to score when they were in promising attacking positions.

Luctonians held a slight edge in the forward battle last Saturday but struggled against the pace and thrust of Darlington’s three-quarter line.

The home side conceded early penalties and Luctonians took the lead when former Welsh international Andy Williams touched down after a five-metre scrum.

Winger Chris McTurk scored a fine try, which Grant Connon converted, as the hosts replied almost immediately. But Luctonians regained the lead within seconds as Dan Smith landed a 40-metre penalty.

The home side lost flanker Luke Wishnowsky to a yellow card and this proved to turn the game in Darlington’s favour.

A mix-up gifted Connon a try from the halfway line which he then converted and Darlington added a penalty soon afterwards.

And, just before the break, Luctonians lost possession in midfield and Darlington’s Cameron Mitchell crossed for a converted try, following some slick handling. Darlington led 24-8 at the interval but Connon’s penalty increased their lead soon after the re-start.

Things got worse for Luctonians when they lost their own line-out and prop Ralph Appelby crashed over and Connon converted.

Luctonians were rewarded when number eight Paul Hulland forced his way over for an unconverted score.

A short period of Darlington pressure was kept at bay before a loose ball was picked up by full-back Jimmy Norris who outpaced the cover defence to score.

Ross 61 pts Cheltenham Civil Service 7. CHAY Brine was Ross’ hat-trick hero as they romped to a nine-try victory and secured fourth place in Gloucester Two. Ross rediscovered their form to demolish the visitors after storming into a 35-7 lead before the interval. The hosts took the lead inside 10 minutes with Brine’s try which was converted by Craig Powell. Gavin Oates added a second try soon afterwards, following fine work by winger Tom Muldowney. A lapse in concentration from the hosts allowed Cheltenham to score their only try but Ross ran riot before the break. Gareth Holdsworth, Brine, with his second, and Casey Morgan all added further tries, converted by Powell, before the half-time whistle. Ross finished the match strongly, scoring four tries in the final quarter.

Craig Smith scored wide out on the left after speeding past two desperate tacklers to touch down.

And the hosts dominated the rest of the game with further tries from Gareth Holdsworth, Brine and the second for Morgan.

l Former England captain Bill Beaumont has helped write a new chapter at Ledbury Rugby Club.

A packed clubhouse flocked to Ledbury RFC’s Sportsman’s Dinner to launch the official history book of the club: ‘130 Years - A Game of Two Halves’. The 220-page book is proving so popular that one former player has ordered seven copies.

The book’s editor, Ian Stoddart, has pulled together more than 100 contributors over the last 12 months.

The launch attracted contributors to the book from as far back as the 1940s, including Bill Masefield and other stalwarts such as Chalky White and Martin Hooper.

Beaumont, chairman of the Rugby Football Union and The Six Nations, gave an amusing speech in one of the biggest-ever events staged at the club.

He was introduced by Ian Beer, his headmaster at Ellesmere College and former RFU president.

Marstons supported the event and Beaumont was passed a £500 cheque for the Injured Players Fund – the charity which assists rugby players injured playing the sport.