LUCTONIANS captain Jimmy Norris is calling for a final-day response to an “unacceptable” second-half performance in his side’s 45-12 loss at Sedgely Park.

Playing top-four opposition for the third time in as many weeks, Lucs saw a two-point half-time deficit slip to 32.

The team’s defence – the foundation for top performances at Otley and against Stourbridge – was this time root of its problems.

This Saturday, facing a side lacking the firepower of Lucs’ previous three opponents, Norris said his side will be hungry for a win.

He said: “As competitive players, we shouldn’t need any more motivation than putting an end to this run.

“It’s not acceptable.

“We took our chances early, and it was a fair score at half time.

“But I don’t think anyone expected our defence to let us down like it did in the second half.”

Drew Cheshire crossed after just two minutes – his 21st of the season – and Will Burton, playing at full-back made it a two-try half for visitors.

However after the break, Park’s hard-running number eight Matt Lamprey – one place behind Cheshire amongst league’s top try-scorers – proved too much, completing his hat-trick in the second half while two others crossed for the Manchester side.

On opening day, Hull escaped Mortimer Park with a bonus point but have since struggled in the table.

They sit fourth from bottom, but are safe from relegation.

Norris said: “Their league position shows that throughout the season they struggled to get the results they needed to get out of the relegation fight.

“The team that shows up with the right attitude will win it.

“If we perform, we will get a comfortable victory – if not it will be a much tighter game.”