Luctonians pay for errors in National Two North defeat at Sheffield Tigers (From Hereford Times)

Luctonians pay for errors in National Two North defeat at Sheffield Tigers

4:00pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Sport

Sheffield Tigers 35 pts Luctonians 20.

LUCTONIANS director of rugby Alex Davidson is looking forward to getting back on home territory on Saturday after another National Two North defeat on the road at Sheffield.

As in the previous week’s reverse at Otley, the Herefordshire side found themselves trailing in the early stages as Sheffield moved into a 10-point lead.

Luctonians have now lost 10 of their 12 games away from home which has left them in mid-table.

“We are a little bit slow starting,” admitted Davidson. “We’re a bit low on confidence and it takes some time to kick into gear.

“Sheffield are getting stronger as a side and their rugby is of a better standard than it was.

“But individual errors were costly for us, too.

“We had three clear-cut chances to score that we didn’t take.”

Fly-half Ben Parker kicked an early penalty for Sheffield but Will Burton, kicking in the absence of the injured John Morris, levelled things up.

A try by Frank Wragg, converted by Parker, opened up the lead and Parker then kicked a second penalty.

Although Paul Hulland powered over for a try which Burton converted, things swiftly got worse for the visitors.

Nick Pearson barged over for a try and then Wragg raced from 40 metres for his second score of the half to put the home side in command at 23-10 at the break.

Drew Cheshire wsa impeded to bring the award of a penalty try at the start of the second period but the conversion attempt was charged down.

But Luctonians cut the margin to three points with a score by Cheshire in the corner.

With Jamie Broadley yellow-carded for the home side, things were looking more promising for the visitors who piled on the pressure.

“If we had gone in front then, I’m sure we would have held on for a win,” said Davidson.

But it was not to be as Sheffield worked the ball downfield and secured their win with two tries from man-of-the-match Broadley in the last 10 minutes, one of which was converted by Parker.

On Saturday, second-placed Hull Ionians are the visitors to Mortimer Park but the Yorkshiremen hold no fears for Davidson.

“We were their equals for an hour up there earlier in the season and as individuals they don’t scare us,” he said.

“We get good crowds at home and we enjoy playing in front of them. The pitch is drying out and a firm surface should suit our wingers.

“We’ve then got five games at the end of the season which we have targeted for wins.”