Luctonians 5 pts Stourbridge 13 pts

A LAST-GASP try from replacement Mike Jones could not save Luctonians from a narrow defeat against table-topping Stourbridge in a fiercely-fought National League Two North clash in the Mortimer Park mud.

Jones squeezed his way over the line in corner after a quick tap-penalty and John Morris’ missed conversion attempt ended the match.

Luctonians trailed 6-0 at the break and will be disappointed they didn’t get on the scoreboard after dominating the opening 15 minutes.

Morris missed a difficult penalty and an attempted drop goal but the referee was lenient - Stourbridge conceded six penalties in their own 22 in the first 10 minutes.

Luctonians had worked hard to make the pitch playable and it passed an early morning inspection.

But both teams struggled to hold on to the ball in the slippery conditions and the players were covered from head to toe in mud throughout.

Both teams changed their kits at half time. Luctonians wore gold and back for the second half.

Stourbridge fly-half Caolan Ryan slotted two penalties after two first-half indiscretions from the hosts.

Luctonians’ defence was superb in the second half and their stubborn resistance held out until 13 minutes from time.

Replacement Ejike Uzolgwe had only just entered the fray when he broke a tackle and ran through to swallow dive under the posts. Ryan slotted the simple conversion.

Luctonians kept battling and, after Sione Tuipulotu was yellow-carded for an offence in the Stourbridge 22, they had the final word through Jones’ score.

For the Big Match feature from Mortimer Park, read Thursday’s Hereford Times and for video footage and player interviews, log on to: herefordtimes.com/video on Thursday.