LUCTONIANS got their National League 2 North campaign off to best possible start by beating Sheffield Tigers 22-10.

On an afternoon of unrelenting downpours, the visitors played the first half with a gradual wind at their back, which would continue to increase.

A cagey first 20 minutes saw both sides getting to grips with the conditions and the return of league rugby, with both defences unsurprisingly coming out on top.

The kicking exploits of the Luctonians back line ensured that they were starting to shade the territorial battle, and as a result of some applied pressure, Tigers were forced to give away a penalty in their 22 and Louis Silver atoned for an earlier miss, to put Lucs 3-0 ahead.

The Lucs pack then powerfully drove over from at least 15 metres out, with a well constructed maul, resulting in Jordan Street popping up from the to claim the try.

Silver converted from wide out to give Lucs a deserved 10-0 lead going into the break.

However, Sheffield drew level in the second half when Jamie Broadley slid over the a try, which was converted.

A penalty was then kicked over to make it 10-0.

Whilst the home side were clearly buoyed off the back of the two quickfire scores, as the game wore on, the Lucs pack started to exert a physical dominance upon their opponents at both maul and scrum time, and it was this physical strength that allowed Lucs to re-take the lead, as the visitors drove their opponents off of their own scrum ball, allowing Piers Morell to race off the back of the scrum for a score, to which Silver added the extras.

Another try was then scored by Silver to seal the win.

This Saturday, Lucs host rivals Stourbridge at Mortimer Park, kick-off 3pm.

MATCH STATS

Luctonians: Morris; Hodnett, Kelly, A Smith, Scott-Young, Jones, Silver; Watkins, Street, White, Psota, Price, Morell, Hackley, Cheshire.

Replacements: Schroeder, Kirkby, Knott, Tawfik, Grimes.

Try scores: Street, Morell, Silver; conversions: Silver (2). penalties: Silver.

Star man: Jordan Street.